Review of Hemingway's Daughter
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Review of Hemingway's Daughter
[Following is a volunteer review of "Hemingway's Daughter" by Christine M. Whitehead.]
Hemingway's Daughter by Christine M. Whitehead is a wonderfully imaginative fiction about Ernest Hemingway's only daughter. If he had had one. The writing is clean and clear, the story captivating and plausible. Written in the form of an autobiography, we are brought up close to the larger-than-life personality that is Ernest Hemingway through the eyes of his fictional second child, Finley Richardson Hemingway. Christine M. Whitehead's story is so well written, you could easily believe you are hearing the little-known story of an actual long-hidden daughter of Hemingway.
The story exposes what the author imagines would be the lot of a daughter dependent on love and recognition from, and living in the shadow of, the famous writer Hemingway. We come to align ourselves with the protagonist as we follow our heroine through the angst of a high school boarding house where she faces off with bullies and makes true friends, the tragedy of WWII, her quest for love and romance and her struggle to find a place in this world, specifically in her chosen career at a time when women were treated as very second-class sub-citizens with no opportunities open to them. A time many of us are unfamiliar with or have forgotten. Throughout the story is woven insights into the private family life of Ernest Hemingway.
Love is a major theme here. Finley's unconditional love of family, first love, love for good friends, loyal love and her love of horses. Christine M. Whitehead’s love of animals also comes through as you read. It was easy for me to get emotionally caught up in the book.
The writing is fresh, and the portrayal of characters is believable. Being presented as a non-fiction work, we come across several well-known and popular people in the story. Famous actors, musicians, politicians, socialites and writers are sprinkled into the narrative.
I give Hemingway's Daughter by Christine M. Whitehead 4 out of 4 stars for the excellent writing, uniqueness of the story and evident excellent editing. I found no errors at all. There was nothing negative enough to remove stars for as my only complaint would be the mild use of expletives. Most readers will find this negligible or not notice it at all.
I enjoyed this book and have no doubt many will share my sentiments. I also got to brush up on some of my Spanish as it is used sparingly in the narrative. Any book that offers some education or an opportunity to learn tends to fall in my good column. I believe just about anyone would enjoy reading this book. It is suitable for young adults and older readers alike. New Yorkers will like the references to their city. Those who lived through the 1930s and time periods covered in this book will appreciate the descriptions of those times. Fans of Hemmingway will of course love this book.
I get the impression this will not be the only good read from Christine M. Whitehead.
******
Hemingway's Daughter
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Hemingway's Daughter by Christine M. Whitehead is a wonderfully imaginative fiction about Ernest Hemingway's only daughter. If he had had one. The writing is clean and clear, the story captivating and plausible. Written in the form of an autobiography, we are brought up close to the larger-than-life personality that is Ernest Hemingway through the eyes of his fictional second child, Finley Richardson Hemingway. Christine M. Whitehead's story is so well written, you could easily believe you are hearing the little-known story of an actual long-hidden daughter of Hemingway.
The story exposes what the author imagines would be the lot of a daughter dependent on love and recognition from, and living in the shadow of, the famous writer Hemingway. We come to align ourselves with the protagonist as we follow our heroine through the angst of a high school boarding house where she faces off with bullies and makes true friends, the tragedy of WWII, her quest for love and romance and her struggle to find a place in this world, specifically in her chosen career at a time when women were treated as very second-class sub-citizens with no opportunities open to them. A time many of us are unfamiliar with or have forgotten. Throughout the story is woven insights into the private family life of Ernest Hemingway.
Love is a major theme here. Finley's unconditional love of family, first love, love for good friends, loyal love and her love of horses. Christine M. Whitehead’s love of animals also comes through as you read. It was easy for me to get emotionally caught up in the book.
The writing is fresh, and the portrayal of characters is believable. Being presented as a non-fiction work, we come across several well-known and popular people in the story. Famous actors, musicians, politicians, socialites and writers are sprinkled into the narrative.
I give Hemingway's Daughter by Christine M. Whitehead 4 out of 4 stars for the excellent writing, uniqueness of the story and evident excellent editing. I found no errors at all. There was nothing negative enough to remove stars for as my only complaint would be the mild use of expletives. Most readers will find this negligible or not notice it at all.
I enjoyed this book and have no doubt many will share my sentiments. I also got to brush up on some of my Spanish as it is used sparingly in the narrative. Any book that offers some education or an opportunity to learn tends to fall in my good column. I believe just about anyone would enjoy reading this book. It is suitable for young adults and older readers alike. New Yorkers will like the references to their city. Those who lived through the 1930s and time periods covered in this book will appreciate the descriptions of those times. Fans of Hemmingway will of course love this book.
I get the impression this will not be the only good read from Christine M. Whitehead.
******
Hemingway's Daughter
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Colors by Samuel J Murray
