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Papa; Hemingway in Key West.
Ernest Hemingway first came to Key West in 1928. He liked what he saw, returned - and for the next 12 years called the island his home. During this period, he wrote Death in the Afternoon, Green Hills of Africa, To Have and Have Not, and began For Whom the Bell Tolls.
222 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1972
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 15, 2009
Often poorly written but enthusiastic scholarship, with a few interesting tidbits. Sort of worth reading for people who are still interested in the subject. His thesis is that the Papa myth was formed while Hemingway lived in Key West. So what? As I said, a little interesting, but torturous in places, as the author stuck in everythng he learned, and not too artfully. The other overriding problem is that Hemingway was such a brutish self-absorbed boor.
July 5, 2016
A fun read about Hemingway in the Keys. It was more interesting to me, I believe, since I have visited his house in the Keys and enjoy the outdoor life too.
March 8, 2023
For Hemingway fans, this book is priceless! Very well done. It took me a long time to read this short book because I kept looking things up. Don’t miss!!
December 31, 2016
Excellent biography about the 10 years that Earnest spent in Key West while writing 7 of his novels.
September 23, 2020
Generally I React to books based on how they make me feel; either while reading or just after. Sometimes a book just sticks with me. On very rare occasions, I pick the book up a second time just to reread, either the entire book or just a few pages here and there.
This is that type of book, and in-fact, is the reason I’ve come to enjoy Hemingway so much. This was actually the first "Hemingway" book I've read, Yes, yes the rumors are true. I was 58 before I every read anything related to Hemingway. This book enticed me to see what all the fuss was about. I have since enjoyed many Hemingway books, some not so much, but many other I have. I owe all to this book.
I found the book well written and it seemed to capture the romance of sporting adventure, creativity and enjoyment of an active life. So much so that on a recent, week long trip to the ocean, I took 3 books, "...Key West", "Old Man and the Sea" and "To Have and Have Not". All of which have been read at least three times, at various stages.
I highly recommend you give this book a go, whether or not, you're a Hemingway fan.
This is that type of book, and in-fact, is the reason I’ve come to enjoy Hemingway so much. This was actually the first "Hemingway" book I've read, Yes, yes the rumors are true. I was 58 before I every read anything related to Hemingway. This book enticed me to see what all the fuss was about. I have since enjoyed many Hemingway books, some not so much, but many other I have. I owe all to this book.
I found the book well written and it seemed to capture the romance of sporting adventure, creativity and enjoyment of an active life. So much so that on a recent, week long trip to the ocean, I took 3 books, "...Key West", "Old Man and the Sea" and "To Have and Have Not". All of which have been read at least three times, at various stages.
I highly recommend you give this book a go, whether or not, you're a Hemingway fan.
May 22, 2015
Read this in preparation for a vacation in Key West, and as a Hemingway fan, quite enjoyed it. It is, almost literally, a diary/journal of his time there, but focused on the externals than the inner emotions. (His second marriage had just begun when he arrived and ended as he left, but we don't see any insight as to what happened between them.) As a writer myself, I particularly enjoyed the little tidbits about his daily schedule. Yes, he had dinner and drinks and fishing expeditions with his "Mob," regularly, but he also worked on his writing consistently, hitting about 700 words per day.
If you are a fan of Hemingway and/or Key West history, you'll enjoy. Otherwise, read something else.
If you are a fan of Hemingway and/or Key West history, you'll enjoy. Otherwise, read something else.
January 30, 2023
In the afterglow of last year’s Key West trip and the anticipation of this year’s, I believe I cared a whole lot more about Hemmingway s Key West exploits than I actually do. I could have been contented with a short essay or robust timeline, and mostly found myself counting the pages until I was done, not wanting to abandon ship in case I missed one of the present quick anecdotes, but also lacking full throttled investment. Also, I hate to admit it, but like most in-depth views of the people we have built up to greatness in our minds, I have actually lost respect for him in this examination, not gained it. This “less than” experience is on me, not the author. If you’re not GaGa for Papa, don’t pick it up.
January 9, 2017
Interesting story about Hemingway in Key West as he became famous and developed the persona of "Papa". Well written and interesting as much for the mentions of Hemingway's famous friends as for the story itself. Key West is a major character here and if you like the town, the stories of it during this time are interesting. I recommend this one.
September 18, 2019
Good book
This was an excellent read, although it did seem to get bogged down at times. The ending seemed rushed with few details. Well worth reading, however.
This was an excellent read, although it did seem to get bogged down at times. The ending seemed rushed with few details. Well worth reading, however.
July 10, 2017
I was pretty leery of this book in the beginning, since its description of Hemingway's arrival in Key West in 1926 provides intimate details ("the stiff collar of Ernest's shirt was soaked through with perspiration; he tugged resentfully at the large knot of the tie he was wearing") with no attribution.
Once we get past his arrival, however, the book provides excellent information on Hemingway's time in Key West, his friendships with the Key West Mob, and some interesting hypotheses on the "papa" myth. There is detail about the people upon whom the characters in his books, including 'To Have and Have Not,' are based, and background on the 'Green Hills of Africa.' We get an idea of how the mob responded to Martha Gelhorn (to be Hemingway's third wife- who was, in spite of the book's terse and unflattering description, an extremely talented reporter in her own right) - after having known only Pauline (Hemingway's second wife). And we see how his friendstakes sides, as they do, when divorces are about to occur.
We also get a little more detail about Hemingway's life after Key West. There are differing opinions on why he shot himself, and what was causing him to deteriorate, depending on who you talk to in Key West and off the islands, and differing thoughts about the "papa" myth - but this is a great read. The second edition offers more pictures than the first edition, for readers to enjoy.
Once we get past his arrival, however, the book provides excellent information on Hemingway's time in Key West, his friendships with the Key West Mob, and some interesting hypotheses on the "papa" myth. There is detail about the people upon whom the characters in his books, including 'To Have and Have Not,' are based, and background on the 'Green Hills of Africa.' We get an idea of how the mob responded to Martha Gelhorn (to be Hemingway's third wife- who was, in spite of the book's terse and unflattering description, an extremely talented reporter in her own right) - after having known only Pauline (Hemingway's second wife). And we see how his friendstakes sides, as they do, when divorces are about to occur.
We also get a little more detail about Hemingway's life after Key West. There are differing opinions on why he shot himself, and what was causing him to deteriorate, depending on who you talk to in Key West and off the islands, and differing thoughts about the "papa" myth - but this is a great read. The second edition offers more pictures than the first edition, for readers to enjoy.
February 8, 2023
An interesting and thorough biography of Ernest Hemingway during the years 1928-1940. The bulk of the action takes place in Key West where he lived with his second wife, Pauline and had two sons. He drank at the bar known as Sloppy Joe's with the Mob, a group of buddies. Hemingway fished a great deal between Key West and Cuba, often in his boat, The Pilar. He worked on short stories, the novels Green Hills of Africa and To Have and to Have Not, the action adventure story of a rum runner/fisherman. His nickname, Papa, was coined by Hemingway himself, after the birth of his second son. The writer John Dos Passos was a frequent friend and avid fisherman, as well. The poet Wallace Stevenson is in the book, when he has a drunken fistfight with Hemingway. An amateur boxer, Hemingway decked the poet, who ended up in a local hospital. McLendon did a remarkable job of detailing research. His descriptions are fine. There's much macho talk and strutting about. Papa resided in Key West ten years. He met Martha Gellhorn, a writer, and was struck with her. Ended up divorcing Pauline, and moved to Cuba, and then to Idaho. He committed suicide in 1961.
April 22, 2019
An informative and well researched book on Ernest Hemingway's years spent at Key West. This was the place Hemingway set upon coming back from his early years in Europe, primarily France and Spain. The off the beaten path as well as off beat characters he encountered here matched up pretty well with his persona and image creation.
His then wife Pauline and the boys settled her in a settled and unsettled way as it played out. The author reveals much on the authors associations and lifestyle that melded its way into the Hemingway legend and mythology. He wrote "The Green Hills of Africa", "To Have and Have Not" (based in Key West and his only such American based novel),and part of "For Whom the Bell Tolls."
Hemingway was quite conscious of the image he portrayed and worked to portray and Key West did its part to lend to this novel way of life. To this day it is a major part of the attraction there and lends itself to become what the tourists and seekers wish to find.
His then wife Pauline and the boys settled her in a settled and unsettled way as it played out. The author reveals much on the authors associations and lifestyle that melded its way into the Hemingway legend and mythology. He wrote "The Green Hills of Africa", "To Have and Have Not" (based in Key West and his only such American based novel),and part of "For Whom the Bell Tolls."
Hemingway was quite conscious of the image he portrayed and worked to portray and Key West did its part to lend to this novel way of life. To this day it is a major part of the attraction there and lends itself to become what the tourists and seekers wish to find.
June 26, 2018
Four out of five stars for the actual content of the book. Lots of interesting tidbits and details that aren’t in the “other Hemingway-Key West” book (Stuart McIver’s book) that are enhanced if you’re either staying in Key West for a few days and can travel and see his haunts or live on the island and want to know more history about it.
I do have to say this book gets one out of five stars on formatting and editing- I counted over 30 grammatical, spelling, and general formatting errors as I read the book. Basic editing could’ve been done to fix the blatantly obvious errors scattered throughout.
I do have to say this book gets one out of five stars on formatting and editing- I counted over 30 grammatical, spelling, and general formatting errors as I read the book. Basic editing could’ve been done to fix the blatantly obvious errors scattered throughout.
February 17, 2020
This is a fairly decent account of Hemingway's years in Key West. McClendon does a good job of describing Hemingway's 'mob' and the difficult breakup with Pauline and how he met and fell in love with Martha. I do wish a bit more closure was provided with respect to these relationships--Pauline's sad ending and Martha's impressive and universally under-rated journalistic career. In my opinion, McClendon is a bit light on Hemingway's warts, especially his antisemitism and his snobby attitude regarding New Deal efforts to revive the Key West economy during the depression.
April 8, 2019
Good reading
I recently read a mention of Hemingway 's time in Key West in a fictional book and was interested in finding out the facts behind it. I could not have found a better recounting of his Key West years than what I have read in Mr. McLendon's informational and entertaining book. Full of facts and pictures, this time in Hemingway 's life as well as his complex personality are vividly portrayed. I highly recommend this book.
I recently read a mention of Hemingway 's time in Key West in a fictional book and was interested in finding out the facts behind it. I could not have found a better recounting of his Key West years than what I have read in Mr. McLendon's informational and entertaining book. Full of facts and pictures, this time in Hemingway 's life as well as his complex personality are vividly portrayed. I highly recommend this book.
May 11, 2017
Nice read
Interesting to see how a very flawed human being became a legend in his own mind and eventuality in reality. Hemingway was a great writer but a jerk of a man. Maybe that's what it takes to be great.
Interesting to see how a very flawed human being became a legend in his own mind and eventuality in reality. Hemingway was a great writer but a jerk of a man. Maybe that's what it takes to be great.
October 21, 2018
Great read!
Read it and loved it! I'll be looking for other books to keep me busy during the cooler Kansas winter.
Read it and loved it! I'll be looking for other books to keep me busy during the cooler Kansas winter.
September 13, 2022
I really enjoyed reading and learning more about the life of the famous author Ernest Hemingway.
July 29, 2023
In the Keys currently- I appreciate knowing more about Key West and Papa - but not a fan of the man, the myth, the legend. Let's find a shred of fact and craft a story around it...
August 21, 2018
A well written, well informed account of the author's thesis that Hemingway consciously developed his "Papa Persona" beginning with his marriage to Pauline Pfeiffer and life in Key West. In addition, an interesting exploration of Hemingway's life/"crowd" (who he referred to as 'the mob') and lifestyle during the period as his fame began to take off. A good addition to the canon of 'Hemiway-ana'. Recommended.
December 9, 2011
This is a fun book that I would recommend and in fact McLendon often writes quite well, not necessarily succumbing to that trap of everyone who writes about Hemingway, namely trying to write LIKE Hemingway. This is a quick read worth picking up for the interviews with old Key West cronies of Hemingway and for the vivid sense of place it evokes, especially the Key West of Hemingway's first visits there when he was making his first trolling runs in search of big fish. I never quite bought the thesis of the book, which was that Hemingway's Key West years were the most formative of his life (I have to go with Paris), but I give McLendon points for trying to pull it off. I also find the whole "Papa" mythology boring as hell, like a head fake no one should bite on, and yet everyone does ... As with any time we read about writers, in the end PAPA makes me want to go back to the books themselves, especially to TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT and ACROSS THE RIVER AND INTO THE TREES, the latter of which might be the only Hemingway novel I have not read.
November 26, 2025
This works provides an insightful summary of Hemingway’s time on Key West, and proposes a theory that the island enabled one of the most productive, and perhaps happiest period of Hemingway’s life and career.
The author goes a long way to recreate Key West as it was upon Hemingway’s arrival, and his narrative is tightly woven with recollections from key figures living on the island that interacted with Hemingway, as well as describing various historical and social phenomena and changes on Key West during Hemingway’s tenure there.
Hemingway’s biography in relation to the island is explored in granular detail, and is interspersed throughout with various peculiarities of the island, and the effect they had on Hemingway as an author and individual.
The author goes a long way to recreate Key West as it was upon Hemingway’s arrival, and his narrative is tightly woven with recollections from key figures living on the island that interacted with Hemingway, as well as describing various historical and social phenomena and changes on Key West during Hemingway’s tenure there.
Hemingway’s biography in relation to the island is explored in granular detail, and is interspersed throughout with various peculiarities of the island, and the effect they had on Hemingway as an author and individual.
October 31, 2015
Sometimes it's a good thing ...
... to know what makes an author tick, especially one such as Hemingway. I enjoyed this book and plan to read more Hemingway because of this look into his life.. Just think what else he might have contributed to the literary world had he not become an alcoholic and thus lost his mind along with his will to live. He was truly gifted with a wonderful way of telling a story. He makes you THINK ! The author of Papa did a great job of making him real to me.
... to know what makes an author tick, especially one such as Hemingway. I enjoyed this book and plan to read more Hemingway because of this look into his life.. Just think what else he might have contributed to the literary world had he not become an alcoholic and thus lost his mind along with his will to live. He was truly gifted with a wonderful way of telling a story. He makes you THINK ! The author of Papa did a great job of making him real to me.
January 20, 2014
Worth reading twice
Just finished my 2nd read of this book. Loved it the first time for the isolated insights into Hemingway's personal disciplines as a writer. Re-read it now twenty years later for the same reason. The book is an account of many things - Hemingway's marriages, friendships, fishing - but it was the little insights into his blue collar diligence as a writer has stayed with me. Worth reading.
Just finished my 2nd read of this book. Loved it the first time for the isolated insights into Hemingway's personal disciplines as a writer. Re-read it now twenty years later for the same reason. The book is an account of many things - Hemingway's marriages, friendships, fishing - but it was the little insights into his blue collar diligence as a writer has stayed with me. Worth reading.
August 10, 2012
I bought this book after the "Hemingway House" tour mostly because I think I was just "in the moment" However, after starting it on the plane home, I couldn't put it down. This was a great book, and I would imagine ranks up there with ANY Hemingway big out there. McClendon truly made you feel you were part of his "Key West Mob." Thank you for this great read!
June 20, 2016
Fantastic history of Papa's time in Key West
As a fan of Key West and Ernest Hemingway, this book is a wonderful blend of the history of the island and 10 years of Papa's life while he was there. I immediately purchased the books he wrote while on the island (now knowing the inspiration). It's also a good idea to have a Key West map handy as reference. Great read!!
As a fan of Key West and Ernest Hemingway, this book is a wonderful blend of the history of the island and 10 years of Papa's life while he was there. I immediately purchased the books he wrote while on the island (now knowing the inspiration). It's also a good idea to have a Key West map handy as reference. Great read!!
July 17, 2012
When my wife and I first arrived in Key West this was the first book that we both read. As Hemingway fans - it was of course a must read. Thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this biography especially learning about the Key West of Hemingway's time.
June 9, 2013
This covers in detail the period that Hemingway spent in Key West, primarily during his marriage to Pauline. It tells about the founding of the Papa myth and how much work Hemingway himself put into building up that image of himself. Enjoyable.
January 8, 2016
I chose this book as I was making preparations for a Bucket List trip to the Florida Keys. It was a quick, enjoyable read for that purpose. Now I'm excited to visit Key West and actually to read more of Hemingway's life.
May 5, 2012
When I first moved to Key West I bought this book. McLendon transports you back to the 30s. Pure joy to walk the same streets.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews