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Finding Hemingway
Hyper-focused, overachieving New York lawyer Callie McGraw has six months between jobs and a hefty severance check when she is called to Spain by Ernest Hemingway. She begins packing her bags for the sun-kissed streets that night. Starting in Barcelona, Callie embarks on a six-month escapade of a lifetime, a whirlwind of Spanish food, wine, art and dancing, with a revolving cast of friends and lovers keeping her company in each new locale. Callie’s next cocktail is never far away, but Hemingway knows her secrets, the demons that plague her deep down. With each mysterious call and each enigmatic clue, Hemingway challenges her to open herself to laughter, passion and love. Ultimately, he defies Callie to face her greatest fears and embrace life on her own terms.
388 pages, Paperback
First published July 7, 2020
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467 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 20, 2022
I very much enjoyed Ken Dortzbach’s writing in Finding Hemingway. He has a talent for writing complex characters who have such depth that their actions are understood by knowing who they are. They also have distinct personalities that differentiate themselves from one another, so much so that their dialogue lets you know who’s speaking. This was the refreshing part of this book.
Then there’s the Hemingway element. I’m not sure why it’s there. The main character is a ultra-successful corporate lawyer who can afford to live for 6 months in Spain between high-salary positions, and yet she needs Hemingway to guide her to an even more successful life. This is not exactly a real-world problem. Combine that with the means of dead Hemingway’s guidance, which is provided through phone calls and text messages, and you have a total break with reality.
Then you have Hemingway himself. He was a self-sufficient, self-made, and selfish man. He lived his life by solving his own problems and ended his life with the only solution that could fit his selfish mind. I just don’t see Hemingway as being a person who reaches out to help someone who does not need help in the first place.
Then there’s the Hemingway element. I’m not sure why it’s there. The main character is a ultra-successful corporate lawyer who can afford to live for 6 months in Spain between high-salary positions, and yet she needs Hemingway to guide her to an even more successful life. This is not exactly a real-world problem. Combine that with the means of dead Hemingway’s guidance, which is provided through phone calls and text messages, and you have a total break with reality.
Then you have Hemingway himself. He was a self-sufficient, self-made, and selfish man. He lived his life by solving his own problems and ended his life with the only solution that could fit his selfish mind. I just don’t see Hemingway as being a person who reaches out to help someone who does not need help in the first place.
June 9, 2020
Thank you to the author, Cloister Inn Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This will not be a popular opinion... but I really, really hated this book. Callie, the main character, comes across as immature, whiny and self-absorbed. Her mindset and behavior might be credible for a spoiled adolescent, but certainly not for a driven career woman in her early 30s. I did enjoy the setting (in Spain) and the plot device of having her journey of "personal growth" (pardon my eyeroll) follow in the footsteps of a dead author, i.e. Ernest Hemingway, but the story as such was skimpy and there was a lot of alcohol and not much depth to it. Part of the problem may have been that the (male) author was not really able to create a believable female character, another part of the problem may have been that - in my purely personal opinion - Hemingway is one of the last authors on earth that I would seek introspection from.
This will not be a popular opinion... but I really, really hated this book. Callie, the main character, comes across as immature, whiny and self-absorbed. Her mindset and behavior might be credible for a spoiled adolescent, but certainly not for a driven career woman in her early 30s. I did enjoy the setting (in Spain) and the plot device of having her journey of "personal growth" (pardon my eyeroll) follow in the footsteps of a dead author, i.e. Ernest Hemingway, but the story as such was skimpy and there was a lot of alcohol and not much depth to it. Part of the problem may have been that the (male) author was not really able to create a believable female character, another part of the problem may have been that - in my purely personal opinion - Hemingway is one of the last authors on earth that I would seek introspection from.
June 13, 2021
Callie McGraw is an overachieving lawyer in New York City who just got laid off. Now, Callie is listless, drifting through life when an old friend gives her a job opportunity in San Francisco in six months. Callie makes a last minute decision to spend her six months in Spain thanks to a strange phone call from her favorite deceased author, Ernest Hemmingway. Callie begins in Barcelona where she quickly finds fellow aimless American, Trevor. The two hit it off and enjoy Spain in all of it's excess, always with a glass of wine in hand. Soon, Claudio, a Spaniard also in transition joins their group. The trio journey to Madrid and Pamplona, taking in all the comforts Spain has to offer. Following Hemmingway's advice, they find themselves at the Running of the Bulls where Callie decides to face her fears.
Finding Hemingway is intriguing contemporary fiction with a dash of magical realism. I really loved the plot device of Callie receiving phone calls from Hemingway, I wish one of my favorite authors would call and give me advice! Callie was a difficult character to like. Right from the beginning, Callie came off as boastful, selfish, and judgmental. Though the story was a journey of growth for Callie, she seemed to grow in fits and spurts, often revealing more unflattering parts of herself before working on another. I was more compelled by Callie's travelling companion's Trevor and Claudio. Trevor and Claudio both had an air of mystery about their lives, backstories and why they are aimlessly travelling around Spain. I did enjoy reading about the many different locations that the group explored, especially the museums, restaurants and clubs. I especially liked the in-depth descriptions of the traditions surrounding the Running of the Bulls and the course itself. The ending was satisfying and I'm glad Callie found her Hemingway.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
Finding Hemingway is intriguing contemporary fiction with a dash of magical realism. I really loved the plot device of Callie receiving phone calls from Hemingway, I wish one of my favorite authors would call and give me advice! Callie was a difficult character to like. Right from the beginning, Callie came off as boastful, selfish, and judgmental. Though the story was a journey of growth for Callie, she seemed to grow in fits and spurts, often revealing more unflattering parts of herself before working on another. I was more compelled by Callie's travelling companion's Trevor and Claudio. Trevor and Claudio both had an air of mystery about their lives, backstories and why they are aimlessly travelling around Spain. I did enjoy reading about the many different locations that the group explored, especially the museums, restaurants and clubs. I especially liked the in-depth descriptions of the traditions surrounding the Running of the Bulls and the course itself. The ending was satisfying and I'm glad Callie found her Hemingway.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
June 19, 2020
Both the title and the cover drew me to this book. I haven't read any Hemingway myself but his time in Europe, particularly in Spain always fascinated me. The cover screamed Spain to me, and since that's where I am, I thought it rude to not check it out.
If I'm honest, the Hemingway "phonecall" didn't intrigue me greatly, though having "The Sun Also Rises" as Callie's favourite book ever worked as a plot device and was an original way to put the main character in Spain. What fascinated me more was Callie's decision to head to Spain on a whim while she was in-between jobs. Well, who wouldn't if they had six months and a healthy bank account?
As a long-term Hispanophile, I will always hunt down stories set in my adopted homeland. So, I felt a connection to Callie from the outset. It didn't last. While I soaked up the details about Spain, especially the Pamplona chapters, I couldn't muster up any fondness for Callie. To say she grated on me would be an understatement. She came across as selfish, rude, high and mighty, childish, and annoying. I felt sorry for her loyal friend, Trevor, who she teased and mocked incessantly - which, of course, she justified as allowable because she was "Callie McGraw"!!!!!! (There are not enough exclamation marks to express my reaction to her.) Poor Trevor was her plaything, until someone more to her liking came along in the form of Mr Spain Man, Claudio. I have no idea why either of these intelligent men put up with her for as long as they did.
Callie's quest was supposedly to find Hemingway, and he contributed with additional phonecalls to steer her in the right direction. However, the story drifted into her doing a lot of nothing. An awful lot of drinking, eating ...especially breakfast ...and only very occasionally remembering why she had come to Spain in the first place.
It was evident early that the purpose of her trip was to really find herself. I do wonder if she liked what she found. At times, she had to listen to some cold, hard truths ...did she accept her flaws? I'm not convinced she did. Granted, she did overcome her fears but I didn't sense any real change in her come the end.
Trevor summed this story up when he gave his opinion of Callie's treasured book, and in doing so described Callie perfectly:
"No, they really are losers." His voiced turned cautious. "Listen, I'm not saying this to be mean but ...the characters just drift around Europe, full of nothing but entitlement."
I pumped the air at that point. Go, Trevor!
I did enjoy the setting in Spain, of course: the museums, art galleries, tapas and dances, and my heart went out the Señora Hernandez, of whom too little was seen after Callie discovered the old lady's secret. The setting was vivid and vibrant, and full of pasión. Even the story idea was an original take on the "self-discovery" trope, but Callie rode roughshod over the story, for me anyway.
Many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the advanced copy in return for an honest review.
If I'm honest, the Hemingway "phonecall" didn't intrigue me greatly, though having "The Sun Also Rises" as Callie's favourite book ever worked as a plot device and was an original way to put the main character in Spain. What fascinated me more was Callie's decision to head to Spain on a whim while she was in-between jobs. Well, who wouldn't if they had six months and a healthy bank account?
As a long-term Hispanophile, I will always hunt down stories set in my adopted homeland. So, I felt a connection to Callie from the outset. It didn't last. While I soaked up the details about Spain, especially the Pamplona chapters, I couldn't muster up any fondness for Callie. To say she grated on me would be an understatement. She came across as selfish, rude, high and mighty, childish, and annoying. I felt sorry for her loyal friend, Trevor, who she teased and mocked incessantly - which, of course, she justified as allowable because she was "Callie McGraw"!!!!!! (There are not enough exclamation marks to express my reaction to her.) Poor Trevor was her plaything, until someone more to her liking came along in the form of Mr Spain Man, Claudio. I have no idea why either of these intelligent men put up with her for as long as they did.
Callie's quest was supposedly to find Hemingway, and he contributed with additional phonecalls to steer her in the right direction. However, the story drifted into her doing a lot of nothing. An awful lot of drinking, eating ...especially breakfast ...and only very occasionally remembering why she had come to Spain in the first place.
It was evident early that the purpose of her trip was to really find herself. I do wonder if she liked what she found. At times, she had to listen to some cold, hard truths ...did she accept her flaws? I'm not convinced she did. Granted, she did overcome her fears but I didn't sense any real change in her come the end.
Trevor summed this story up when he gave his opinion of Callie's treasured book, and in doing so described Callie perfectly:
"No, they really are losers." His voiced turned cautious. "Listen, I'm not saying this to be mean but ...the characters just drift around Europe, full of nothing but entitlement."
I pumped the air at that point. Go, Trevor!
I did enjoy the setting in Spain, of course: the museums, art galleries, tapas and dances, and my heart went out the Señora Hernandez, of whom too little was seen after Callie discovered the old lady's secret. The setting was vivid and vibrant, and full of pasión. Even the story idea was an original take on the "self-discovery" trope, but Callie rode roughshod over the story, for me anyway.
Many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the advanced copy in return for an honest review.
May 6, 2020
The perfect book to read with your book club! Especially recommended for former English majors, fans of "Julie and Julia," and anyone who longs to travel abroad (I'm all three!).
Callie McGraw is enamored by Hemingway, and "The Sun Also Rises" holds a special place in her heart. A mysterious phone call from Hemingway himself inspires her to travel to Spain. Callie is a strong-willed character, willing to stick up for herself and what she believes in. She's smart and talented, and she's a successful lawyer. She's a realistically rendered modern woman -- she's bold and romantic, but she's not perfect. She still has to confront her demons in order to grow.
An impressively well-written debut from Dortzbach! Spanish culture-lovers, Picasso fans, romantics at heart... pick up a copy of this book! You won't regret it.
Callie McGraw is enamored by Hemingway, and "The Sun Also Rises" holds a special place in her heart. A mysterious phone call from Hemingway himself inspires her to travel to Spain. Callie is a strong-willed character, willing to stick up for herself and what she believes in. She's smart and talented, and she's a successful lawyer. She's a realistically rendered modern woman -- she's bold and romantic, but she's not perfect. She still has to confront her demons in order to grow.
An impressively well-written debut from Dortzbach! Spanish culture-lovers, Picasso fans, romantics at heart... pick up a copy of this book! You won't regret it.
January 7, 2021
This the story of Callie McGraw, a young Type A New York City lawyer with a penchant for Hemingway's novel, The Sun Also Rises, who finds herself traveling around Spain for 6 months while she is between job. The magical realism was unexpected, but I loved it. I thoroughly enjoyed this book as I came to love and root for the characters of Callie, and her traveling friends, Trevor and Claudio, who are all trying to find themselves and live life on their own terms. I enjoyed so much about this debut novel by Ken Dortzbach- exploring Barcelona, Madrid, and other parts of Spain, the friendship between Callie and Trevor, and the on again off again romance between Callie and Claudio. I look forward to more from this author.
May 6, 2020
It is easy to be skeptical when you see a male author writing from the perspective of a female protagonist, but Dortzbach does an exquisite job of creating a dynamic character that everyone can relate to. This book is riveting and an inspiration to all those who are trying to cultivate self-acceptance and fulfillment. Anyone who is interested in Spanish culture and Ernest Hemingway should pick this up. I guarantee it will not disappoint!
May 6, 2020
This book should be read by anyone who is on the road to discovering who they are. The main character, Callie, is on a journey of personal growth and development that is inspiring to those who are looking for inspiration. Dortzbach's love for Spain and for Ernest Hemingway is evident and really brings the book to life!
July 15, 2020
This was a journey of self-discovery for Callie, a New York lawyer who has six months between jobs and a hefty severance check when she is called to Spain by Ernest Hemingway. Literally, she received a call from Ernest Hemingway.
The book had a strong sense of place that I loved. The majority of the action takes place in Barcelona, Madrid, and Pamplona, Spain. I enjoyed taking a virtual tour and vicariously experiencing the sights and tastes of this beautiful country.
Callie, is a difficult person to like. In my opinion, she is selfish and gets mad about things that are non-issues. Callie meets Trevor almost immediately upon landing in Barcelona. Sadly, Trevor was not fully developed and I never really understood why he hung around in Callie’s orbit instead of branching out on his own. The character that I enjoyed reading about the most was Claudio. I feel his character was fully fleshed out and real.
I like that Hemingway and The Sun Also Rises was the reason why Callie wants to travel to Spain. I also liked the explanation later in the book about why Callie loved the book so much. However, the magical realism aspect of the book, the communication with Hemingway, didn’t work for me. It was a unique premise but it wasn’t fully executed.
Overall, this was a fun trip through Spain with a unique connection to a classic novel and a very unlikable main character.
I received an ARC of this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The book had a strong sense of place that I loved. The majority of the action takes place in Barcelona, Madrid, and Pamplona, Spain. I enjoyed taking a virtual tour and vicariously experiencing the sights and tastes of this beautiful country.
Callie, is a difficult person to like. In my opinion, she is selfish and gets mad about things that are non-issues. Callie meets Trevor almost immediately upon landing in Barcelona. Sadly, Trevor was not fully developed and I never really understood why he hung around in Callie’s orbit instead of branching out on his own. The character that I enjoyed reading about the most was Claudio. I feel his character was fully fleshed out and real.
I like that Hemingway and The Sun Also Rises was the reason why Callie wants to travel to Spain. I also liked the explanation later in the book about why Callie loved the book so much. However, the magical realism aspect of the book, the communication with Hemingway, didn’t work for me. It was a unique premise but it wasn’t fully executed.
Overall, this was a fun trip through Spain with a unique connection to a classic novel and a very unlikable main character.
I received an ARC of this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
June 18, 2020
Callie takes a trip to Spain in search of Hemingway, as in the author- Ernest Hemingway and what starts as a quest morphs into her having to face and overcome her fears, in essence finding herself and growing into her own.
Now, here's the most interesting part for me as a reader was that I didn't truly care for Callie, I found her overbearing and demanding to have her way above her need for empathy, understanding, compassion and friendship. I couldn't deny that she's intelligent, but being book smart and literate is miles away from being emotionally intelligent and frankly speaking she lacked this for most of the book. It's rather interesting her friendship with Trevor, for where she's demanding, he takes the back seat, ready to take what comes his way and make of it what he wishes. There's a lot of drinking in this book and Callie does most of it- all in all, the question I asked myself in all this was did she truly find herself in that quest in Spain? And that right there is what made me read this book to the very end.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.
Now, here's the most interesting part for me as a reader was that I didn't truly care for Callie, I found her overbearing and demanding to have her way above her need for empathy, understanding, compassion and friendship. I couldn't deny that she's intelligent, but being book smart and literate is miles away from being emotionally intelligent and frankly speaking she lacked this for most of the book. It's rather interesting her friendship with Trevor, for where she's demanding, he takes the back seat, ready to take what comes his way and make of it what he wishes. There's a lot of drinking in this book and Callie does most of it- all in all, the question I asked myself in all this was did she truly find herself in that quest in Spain? And that right there is what made me read this book to the very end.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.
July 1, 2020
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I wanted to like this book so much. The premise appealed to me and I really liked the idea of Callie, the main character, being independent enough to travel to Spain for six months alone. I started off enjoying the book and the writing is good. But then it lost momentum. Callie met Trevor, also drifting, and struck up a very strange relationship where he followed her lead completely while Callie seemed to rate him very low, judging by the number of faults she found with him. The story itself felt as though it was drifting - from bar to bar and cafe to cafe with brief interludes to sleep at the hotel. At this point I was still enjoying the book while I was reading it, but I wasn't feeling any need to get back to it as soon as possible.
Then Callie met Claudio - who quite frankly was too good to be true - and around the 40% mark is where the book lost me. Callie suddenly turned into an unlikeable diva, overreacting to ridiculous things but we were expected to believe that the men around her thought she was wonderful! Once I stopped liking Callie it made it difficult for me to enjoy the book, despite the good writing, because I really need to like or at least relate to or empathise with the main character in some way.
I wanted to like this book so much. The premise appealed to me and I really liked the idea of Callie, the main character, being independent enough to travel to Spain for six months alone. I started off enjoying the book and the writing is good. But then it lost momentum. Callie met Trevor, also drifting, and struck up a very strange relationship where he followed her lead completely while Callie seemed to rate him very low, judging by the number of faults she found with him. The story itself felt as though it was drifting - from bar to bar and cafe to cafe with brief interludes to sleep at the hotel. At this point I was still enjoying the book while I was reading it, but I wasn't feeling any need to get back to it as soon as possible.
Then Callie met Claudio - who quite frankly was too good to be true - and around the 40% mark is where the book lost me. Callie suddenly turned into an unlikeable diva, overreacting to ridiculous things but we were expected to believe that the men around her thought she was wonderful! Once I stopped liking Callie it made it difficult for me to enjoy the book, despite the good writing, because I really need to like or at least relate to or empathise with the main character in some way.
June 21, 2020
Finding yourself isn’t easy. Neither is finding Hemingway. Three disparate characters meet in Spain and over 6 months form an ever-evolving friendship.
Callie and Trevor meet in Barcelona. For Callie, a laid-off NYC lawyer, Hemingway is her anchor, and The Sun Also Rises her guide book to enduring a difficult family life. Hemingway has also called her-on the phone-and asked her to “find him”. Trevor, lonely and awkward, has dropped his unfinished dissertation in the field of literature, and just wants to see new places. As travel friends, they move on to Madrid and in the first of endless nights of clubbing, drinking, eating, and dancing, meet tall, dark, and handsome Mr. Spain Man, Claudio.
The narrative is a dive into unlikely, highly volatile, enduring relationships, unexpected consequences, the depths of Spanish history, tradition, culture and cuisine. There is also a lot of over the top ranting and raving, often provoked by alcoholic delirium, which becomes tiresome. Not another wild, cursing, sound and fury bar scene.
Hemingway moves in and out, making occasional appearances, and the section on the trio’s visit to Pamplona and the run of the bulls is the most lyrical and character revealing of the book.
Finding Hemingway has an interesting narrative twist and the “what you see as a tourist” passages and stories are informative and evocative of my experiences in Spain. Those are what kept me reading.
It’s all about finding yourself and what finding Hemingway really means.
Callie and Trevor meet in Barcelona. For Callie, a laid-off NYC lawyer, Hemingway is her anchor, and The Sun Also Rises her guide book to enduring a difficult family life. Hemingway has also called her-on the phone-and asked her to “find him”. Trevor, lonely and awkward, has dropped his unfinished dissertation in the field of literature, and just wants to see new places. As travel friends, they move on to Madrid and in the first of endless nights of clubbing, drinking, eating, and dancing, meet tall, dark, and handsome Mr. Spain Man, Claudio.
The narrative is a dive into unlikely, highly volatile, enduring relationships, unexpected consequences, the depths of Spanish history, tradition, culture and cuisine. There is also a lot of over the top ranting and raving, often provoked by alcoholic delirium, which becomes tiresome. Not another wild, cursing, sound and fury bar scene.
Hemingway moves in and out, making occasional appearances, and the section on the trio’s visit to Pamplona and the run of the bulls is the most lyrical and character revealing of the book.
Finding Hemingway has an interesting narrative twist and the “what you see as a tourist” passages and stories are informative and evocative of my experiences in Spain. Those are what kept me reading.
It’s all about finding yourself and what finding Hemingway really means.
June 14, 2020
I was really intrigued by this synopsis. Callie takes a trip to Spain to find Hemingway, or so she thinks. After I visited Madrid and Barcelona last year (and even going on a hunt to many places that claimed Hemingway had visited), I was immediately flooded with my personal memories.
I loved reliving my experiences with the book. The author goes into great detail and it made me feel as if I was back on my own vacation. The setting was probably my favorite part of the book.
For the characters, I really didn’t care for. Callie is a whiny, insecure woman who acts as if she just graduated high school, not someone who is in her 30s. Trevor, a boy she meets in Barcelona, is a love sick puppy dog who is Callie’s shadow. Claudio, Callie’s lover, I have no idea how he put up with her for so long.
The overall message of the book? Finding yourself. Did I get that message? Sort of. I didn’t feel as if Callie truly “grew” over her six month endeavor in Spain because the last scene in Madrid is her getting mad at Claudio (she did this all book). Those scenes were a tad too much.
If you’re missing Spain, this will provide great imagery.
Many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the advanced copy in return for an honest review!
I loved reliving my experiences with the book. The author goes into great detail and it made me feel as if I was back on my own vacation. The setting was probably my favorite part of the book.
For the characters, I really didn’t care for. Callie is a whiny, insecure woman who acts as if she just graduated high school, not someone who is in her 30s. Trevor, a boy she meets in Barcelona, is a love sick puppy dog who is Callie’s shadow. Claudio, Callie’s lover, I have no idea how he put up with her for so long.
The overall message of the book? Finding yourself. Did I get that message? Sort of. I didn’t feel as if Callie truly “grew” over her six month endeavor in Spain because the last scene in Madrid is her getting mad at Claudio (she did this all book). Those scenes were a tad too much.
If you’re missing Spain, this will provide great imagery.
Many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the advanced copy in return for an honest review!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2020
Unpopular opinion I expect, but this story just did not do it for me. I stayed up late thinking "it's going to get better", but it never did. I said to myself that if there were pictures of the visited places it would be great. Every time Callie landed somewhere new to explore at the behest of said Hemingway, I had to look it up, I wanted to see the locale, but I didn't want to read about it and what happened to Callie and every drink she had there. I know that might seem harsh, but I think if the author had spent more time understanding women and writing about our character it would have been a better story, for me. Do not get me started about Claudio and the "romance element" because that was pitiful. And I get that Claudio had an accent and he said Callie's name differently, but did we have to have it misspelled every single time he said her name? Threw me out of the story every time. And how not believable is a Type A professional woman packing up her stuff and going on a 6-month holiday? *sigh* I wanted more.
Thank you to @booksforwardpr for the gifted e-book for an honest review.
Thank you to @booksforwardpr for the gifted e-book for an honest review.
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November 2, 2020Thank you to Books Forward for a copy of in exchange for an honest review.
//Synopsis
Finding Hemingway is the story of Callie McGraw, a high-powered attorney who receives a generous severance check and has six months before her next job starts. Soon after these plans fall into place for her, she receives a telephone call from the deceased famous author, Ernest Hemingway. He summons her to Spain and tells her she needs to find him. Without question, Callie packs up and heads across the Atlantic, where she starts her quest in Barcelona. She almost immediately meets a fellow American traveler, Trevor. The pair then meets a third companion, Claudio, who lives in Spain and helps the Americans navigate the country.
Hemingway continues to reach out to Callie in brief conversations, and prompts her to continue to search for him. Callie takes in the sights, the culture, and a lot of wine, during her search for Hemingway--and herself.
//Review
The premise of this book was intriguing but this book was only "okay" for me. I really loved being able to travel vicariously through Callie, since international trips are not really a possibility these days. I also appreciated Callie's terseness, independence, and confidence, that reinforced her successful career as an attorney. However, the depictions of female relationships and dynamics was a bit off-putting. I know women (but really, everyone) do not always get along, especially when one is dating the ex of another, but that seems like an easy stereotype and is a bit aggravating. Callie even becomes angry with Claudio when he accuses her of not being able to keep female friends, and then she later gives him an ultimatum when another woman—who admittedly is very rude to Callie—tries to join their group.
There is not a lot of action in this story, but rather is character-driven. The plot is Callie traveling the country, drinking, and taking in Spain's culture. There is also not even a lot of her "looking" for Hemingway or communicating much with him, which is not really the true plot. Rather, he is the catalyst for her travel and experiences that lead to her personal growth.
For a character-driven story, I did not love any of these characters. Callie was pretty mean to Trevor for unknown reasons, especially for someone with whom she spent her entire trip, and Trevor himself seemed a little underdeveloped as a character. Claudio was a bit of a caricature and I honestly only expected him to be a brief character when we first met him, so I was surprised that he ended up being one of the major three characters.
Overall, I'm glad I read this book. It had a unique premise and I loved the travel. However, the lack of likeable characters or any truly major events or plot points made it seem a tad drawn out for me.
//Synopsis
Finding Hemingway is the story of Callie McGraw, a high-powered attorney who receives a generous severance check and has six months before her next job starts. Soon after these plans fall into place for her, she receives a telephone call from the deceased famous author, Ernest Hemingway. He summons her to Spain and tells her she needs to find him. Without question, Callie packs up and heads across the Atlantic, where she starts her quest in Barcelona. She almost immediately meets a fellow American traveler, Trevor. The pair then meets a third companion, Claudio, who lives in Spain and helps the Americans navigate the country.
Hemingway continues to reach out to Callie in brief conversations, and prompts her to continue to search for him. Callie takes in the sights, the culture, and a lot of wine, during her search for Hemingway--and herself.
//Review
The premise of this book was intriguing but this book was only "okay" for me. I really loved being able to travel vicariously through Callie, since international trips are not really a possibility these days. I also appreciated Callie's terseness, independence, and confidence, that reinforced her successful career as an attorney. However, the depictions of female relationships and dynamics was a bit off-putting. I know women (but really, everyone) do not always get along, especially when one is dating the ex of another, but that seems like an easy stereotype and is a bit aggravating. Callie even becomes angry with Claudio when he accuses her of not being able to keep female friends, and then she later gives him an ultimatum when another woman—who admittedly is very rude to Callie—tries to join their group.
There is not a lot of action in this story, but rather is character-driven. The plot is Callie traveling the country, drinking, and taking in Spain's culture. There is also not even a lot of her "looking" for Hemingway or communicating much with him, which is not really the true plot. Rather, he is the catalyst for her travel and experiences that lead to her personal growth.
For a character-driven story, I did not love any of these characters. Callie was pretty mean to Trevor for unknown reasons, especially for someone with whom she spent her entire trip, and Trevor himself seemed a little underdeveloped as a character. Claudio was a bit of a caricature and I honestly only expected him to be a brief character when we first met him, so I was surprised that he ended up being one of the major three characters.
Overall, I'm glad I read this book. It had a unique premise and I loved the travel. However, the lack of likeable characters or any truly major events or plot points made it seem a tad drawn out for me.
August 2, 2020
Callie McGraw knows what she’s doing. At least, that’s what she wants you to believe.
After a mysterious call from her very favorite yet yet the very dead author Ernest Hemingway, Callie sets off an adventure to Spain in search of meaning.
Yet of course, Callie doesn’t know this at the time.
After being offered the job of her almost dreams and getting a mysterious phone call where Hemingway beckons her to find him, Callie gets on a plane and arrives in Spain without a plan or a goal.
Once she’s in Spain, the book transforms into an almost dreamy ode to Spain – taking us through picturesque locations, rich discussions of culinary delights and a in-depth look into how complicated relationships are in any scenario, much less on a trip designed to be about self-discovery.
Much like a vacation, the story of Callie and her band of companions is set up to be dreamy – slow, quiet and reflective as the characters move from place to place.
Callie herself is smart, ambitious, petty and wildly insecure. In the same way a real vacation is, away from the constructs of daily life, Callie’s true self is revealed time and time again and the idea that she’s not always a pleasant person to be around is intriguing. Callie has a few notable connections throughout the story, some romantic and others platonic, but the one enduring friendship is that of an aimless but endearingly kind Trevor. I found myself increasingly interested in Callie’s relationship with Trevor despite the narrative pushing forward others and considering where he’s left off, would be very interested to see a companion/sequel in his perspective.
Equal parts fun and introspective, Finding Hemingway is an easy book to escape in. Just as Callie escapes from her daily life in search of something (or someone), Dortzbach’s work would be recommended for anyone looking to get lost in someone else’s worlds and problems for a few hours knowing that when you reach the end it’s less about the destination, but the journey.
After a mysterious call from her very favorite yet yet the very dead author Ernest Hemingway, Callie sets off an adventure to Spain in search of meaning.
Yet of course, Callie doesn’t know this at the time.
After being offered the job of her almost dreams and getting a mysterious phone call where Hemingway beckons her to find him, Callie gets on a plane and arrives in Spain without a plan or a goal.
Once she’s in Spain, the book transforms into an almost dreamy ode to Spain – taking us through picturesque locations, rich discussions of culinary delights and a in-depth look into how complicated relationships are in any scenario, much less on a trip designed to be about self-discovery.
Much like a vacation, the story of Callie and her band of companions is set up to be dreamy – slow, quiet and reflective as the characters move from place to place.
Callie herself is smart, ambitious, petty and wildly insecure. In the same way a real vacation is, away from the constructs of daily life, Callie’s true self is revealed time and time again and the idea that she’s not always a pleasant person to be around is intriguing. Callie has a few notable connections throughout the story, some romantic and others platonic, but the one enduring friendship is that of an aimless but endearingly kind Trevor. I found myself increasingly interested in Callie’s relationship with Trevor despite the narrative pushing forward others and considering where he’s left off, would be very interested to see a companion/sequel in his perspective.
Equal parts fun and introspective, Finding Hemingway is an easy book to escape in. Just as Callie escapes from her daily life in search of something (or someone), Dortzbach’s work would be recommended for anyone looking to get lost in someone else’s worlds and problems for a few hours knowing that when you reach the end it’s less about the destination, but the journey.
July 19, 2020
Callie McGraw sought comfort and refuge in Ernest Hemingway’s “The Sun Also Rises.” It gets her through a dysfunctional childhood - makes her stronger in some ways. She pushes herself to achieve the career her mother never had and the success her father could never find. She is successful until she is not. Being fired from her New York job scares her, but she finds another opportunity for a more promising one in San Francisco. However the job doesn’t start for another six months. What to do? Callie gets a mysterious phone call from an Ernest Hemingway challenging her to find him in Spain. Why not, she has six months before her west coast life begins. This might be just the adventure she needs right now. When in Spain she finds an unlikely travel partner named Trevor who is more than willing to let Callie lead the way. Together they travel in a ”madness of freedom.” When they arrive in Madrid, they meet Claudio a native, who becomes their guide and friend. Callie, Trevor and Claudio have a lot to learn about themselves. Hemingway becomes the key to their freedom and living their lives “way up.” Will Callie find what she is looking for? Like a fine wine, “Finding Hemingway” should be savored. The characters are vibrant, complex and impulsive. The story telling is exciting, entertaining, colorful and imaginative. Sit down with a glass of your favorite wine, a few tapas and some flamingo music in the background. You are in for one great adventure.
August 3, 2020
The premise of this book was really intriguing, a call from your favorite (deceased) author sending you on the adventure of a lifetime when you don't have anything else to do and the funds to do so? Yes, please!
However, the story fell a little short for me. All the plot points never felt as fleshed out as they could have? It seemed like the author got bored in one location and abruptly moved the characters to change things up and get the story moving again. It wasn't until the last third of the book where it really felt like Callie might actually be learning something and the story was headed somewhere.
Callie had a lot of growing to do as well, her actions weren't always something I would agree with, predominately on how she handled her relationships with the people who spent the most time with her. She took them for granted and if they didn't act/feel the way she wanted them to she threw a fit instead of having adult conversations.
Callie relies heavily on her favorite Hemingway story, "The Sun Also Rises" which (from what I gathered reading this story) prominently features characters rambling around Spain which Ken Dortzbach may have been going for and was lost on me having never read Hemingway's story.
All in all, I liked the story well enough, I just wanted more from it. If you want an adventure through Spain you may want to pick this one up! Thank you to @booksforwardpr and the #booksforwardfriends for the opportunity to read and review!
However, the story fell a little short for me. All the plot points never felt as fleshed out as they could have? It seemed like the author got bored in one location and abruptly moved the characters to change things up and get the story moving again. It wasn't until the last third of the book where it really felt like Callie might actually be learning something and the story was headed somewhere.
Callie had a lot of growing to do as well, her actions weren't always something I would agree with, predominately on how she handled her relationships with the people who spent the most time with her. She took them for granted and if they didn't act/feel the way she wanted them to she threw a fit instead of having adult conversations.
Callie relies heavily on her favorite Hemingway story, "The Sun Also Rises" which (from what I gathered reading this story) prominently features characters rambling around Spain which Ken Dortzbach may have been going for and was lost on me having never read Hemingway's story.
All in all, I liked the story well enough, I just wanted more from it. If you want an adventure through Spain you may want to pick this one up! Thank you to @booksforwardpr and the #booksforwardfriends for the opportunity to read and review!
December 28, 2020
If there’s a book you can vicariously travel Spain through, this is the one! I loved how it showcases Spanish culture and traditions through architecture, cuisine, dance, and art. It dropped just enough references to get me googling, and certainly made me want to visit Spain. I was glad to be able to pick up practical lessons, like how to “spin” in a crowd to get served at a bar, effectively trade “bar stories”, and especially run with bulls in Pamplona.
I thought it was refreshing to experience a fierce and somewhat explosive female narrator. I liked that although she has strong feelings towards Claudio, Callie doesn’t give in to criticism or self-sabotage. I especially enjoyed the contrast between Claudio’s “bold” and Trevor’s “unassuming” admiration for Callie. I’m glad she found respect and appreciation for these two along her journey.
Having Hemingway in the novel added intrigue and spiced it up throughout. I liked that he wasn’t too involved in the story and was more like an imaginary friend of Callie’s. This way, the fantasy part of the book didn’t distract from the realistic setting and characters. What I liked most was that although the book appeared to be inspired by Hemingway’s novel, it turned out a critique in disguise.
I thought it was refreshing to experience a fierce and somewhat explosive female narrator. I liked that although she has strong feelings towards Claudio, Callie doesn’t give in to criticism or self-sabotage. I especially enjoyed the contrast between Claudio’s “bold” and Trevor’s “unassuming” admiration for Callie. I’m glad she found respect and appreciation for these two along her journey.
Having Hemingway in the novel added intrigue and spiced it up throughout. I liked that he wasn’t too involved in the story and was more like an imaginary friend of Callie’s. This way, the fantasy part of the book didn’t distract from the realistic setting and characters. What I liked most was that although the book appeared to be inspired by Hemingway’s novel, it turned out a critique in disguise.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2020
Thanks to Books Forward PR and Cloister Inn Publishing for the complimentary arc of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Finding Hemingway by Ken Dortzbach tells the story of Callie McGray, a NYC lawyer, who is laid off and finds herself with 6 months before her new work opportunity begins. She receives a phone call, apparently from Ernest Hemingway, calling her to Spain. (Callie is obsessed with The Sun Also Rises). So begins Callie's adventure.
This book is a beautiful travelogue profiling different cities in Spain as we follow Callie, and two friends she picks up along the way, on their adventures. I loved the descriptions of the different Spanish cities and their cultural highlights.
Unfortunately after awhile I found myself loving the places, but not so much the main character. Callie just seemed self absorbed and wasn't particularly nice. It's a shame because I really did love the setting and travelogue nature of the book. I could definitely see myself picking up this book again though if I were planning a trip to Spain.
Finding Hemingway by Ken Dortzbach tells the story of Callie McGray, a NYC lawyer, who is laid off and finds herself with 6 months before her new work opportunity begins. She receives a phone call, apparently from Ernest Hemingway, calling her to Spain. (Callie is obsessed with The Sun Also Rises). So begins Callie's adventure.
This book is a beautiful travelogue profiling different cities in Spain as we follow Callie, and two friends she picks up along the way, on their adventures. I loved the descriptions of the different Spanish cities and their cultural highlights.
Unfortunately after awhile I found myself loving the places, but not so much the main character. Callie just seemed self absorbed and wasn't particularly nice. It's a shame because I really did love the setting and travelogue nature of the book. I could definitely see myself picking up this book again though if I were planning a trip to Spain.
July 7, 2020
I liked this book. It has a certain charm about it. Although, I did feel like it was a bit light in substance. Another reader commented that they felt Callie was whiny and immature. I will agree that at times she did come off like this but it was not enough to completely turn me off from her.
In regards to the other characters in this book. They were all fine but there was no one that I particularly was a fan of. They all just kind of felt like people who you might party with but would not really become best friends with.
When it came to Hemingway and this book; maybe it was too above my head but I really did not see too much of a connection to him and the story. It felt like he was there for reference but not really in context or to add anything to the story. This still could be the same book even without Hemingway. Yet, I did like all of the culture adventures that Callie experienced along her journey.
In regards to the other characters in this book. They were all fine but there was no one that I particularly was a fan of. They all just kind of felt like people who you might party with but would not really become best friends with.
When it came to Hemingway and this book; maybe it was too above my head but I really did not see too much of a connection to him and the story. It felt like he was there for reference but not really in context or to add anything to the story. This still could be the same book even without Hemingway. Yet, I did like all of the culture adventures that Callie experienced along her journey.
March 2, 2025
A poor (wo)man’s Eat, Pray Love.
Way too much eating and drinking of coffee & alcohol - and being drunk and feeling hung over.
I don’t really enjoy books that have magical/fantasy themes. And I really don’t think it was even needed in this book. Every time Hemmingway phoned/texted Callie, it totally brought me out of the plot.
The dialogue that Dortzbach uses is juvenile and stilted. Callie/Kauhlie was an awful main character - a self entitled brat. Anytime someone disagreed with her, she pitched a fit & walked out of a restaurant. Trevor was a whiny, needy tagalong. Claudio & Jean-Francois read like charicatures or stereotypes. The author attempted to add some depth and background to the 4-6 characters, but it all fell flat for me.
2 stars for the cultural references in the cities.
Way too much eating and drinking of coffee & alcohol - and being drunk and feeling hung over.
I don’t really enjoy books that have magical/fantasy themes. And I really don’t think it was even needed in this book. Every time Hemmingway phoned/texted Callie, it totally brought me out of the plot.
The dialogue that Dortzbach uses is juvenile and stilted. Callie/Kauhlie was an awful main character - a self entitled brat. Anytime someone disagreed with her, she pitched a fit & walked out of a restaurant. Trevor was a whiny, needy tagalong. Claudio & Jean-Francois read like charicatures or stereotypes. The author attempted to add some depth and background to the 4-6 characters, but it all fell flat for me.
2 stars for the cultural references in the cities.
July 26, 2020
I received this book as an Advanced Readers Copy to provide an honest review.
Callie McGraw finds herself with 6 months to “live life up” before she relocates from N.Y. to California. Following Hemingway’s book, The Sun Also Rises, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery through Spain finding friendship, love, and peace.
In my opinion, Callie seemed to have a flair for dramatics, yet she was a type A lawyer. It was as if, some part of her did not fully develop and, maybe, that was done purposely to show how Callie grew while in Spain.
Overall, the book was enjoyable. Slow to begin, but it got better.
Callie McGraw finds herself with 6 months to “live life up” before she relocates from N.Y. to California. Following Hemingway’s book, The Sun Also Rises, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery through Spain finding friendship, love, and peace.
In my opinion, Callie seemed to have a flair for dramatics, yet she was a type A lawyer. It was as if, some part of her did not fully develop and, maybe, that was done purposely to show how Callie grew while in Spain.
Overall, the book was enjoyable. Slow to begin, but it got better.
August 29, 2020
The perfect summer read to be transported to a beautiful destination...
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Callie is a NY lawyer who finds herself having to move to the West Coast for a new job ... she has six months of freedom before she has to leave. One day she receives a mysterious call from Hemingway that inspires her to travel to Spain in hopes of her finding him... or really herself... along the ways she meets Trevor who lets Callie take the reigns on their adventure... Cauldio who becomes a guide as well as friend. Each character is trying to find oneself in their own way.
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This book has left me wanting to savor a glass or two of wine while dreaming of traveling and experiencing the beautiful culture of Spain.
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Callie is a NY lawyer who finds herself having to move to the West Coast for a new job ... she has six months of freedom before she has to leave. One day she receives a mysterious call from Hemingway that inspires her to travel to Spain in hopes of her finding him... or really herself... along the ways she meets Trevor who lets Callie take the reigns on their adventure... Cauldio who becomes a guide as well as friend. Each character is trying to find oneself in their own way.
.
.
This book has left me wanting to savor a glass or two of wine while dreaming of traveling and experiencing the beautiful culture of Spain.
August 8, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and publisher for this ARC that I requested as a personal fan of Hemingway.
However, I didn't love this book mostly because I found the Hemingway character to be a bit unbelievable. It just didn't fit with my profile of Hemingway.
I liked this one because it specifically alludes to "To the Sun Also Rises" and feels like a contemporary version of that book. Callie annoyed me at times, kind of how Nick (Sun Also Rises) annoyed me -- she came across sometimes as a petulant child but the book is very character-driven so you'll see growth from her.
Overall, it was a cool, interesting concept, it just didn't work for me!
However, I didn't love this book mostly because I found the Hemingway character to be a bit unbelievable. It just didn't fit with my profile of Hemingway.
I liked this one because it specifically alludes to "To the Sun Also Rises" and feels like a contemporary version of that book. Callie annoyed me at times, kind of how Nick (Sun Also Rises) annoyed me -- she came across sometimes as a petulant child but the book is very character-driven so you'll see growth from her.
Overall, it was a cool, interesting concept, it just didn't work for me!
October 11, 2020
One sentence plot summary: Callie McGraw gets a call from (dead) Ernest Hemingway and travels to Spain to find him.
I thought that sounded interesting, so I reread The Sun Also Rises, watched the movie, and started this book. Callie is smart and successful, but recently laid off as a lawyer. She's also a totally unlikable bitch. You'll know she's smart and successful because she mentions it in the first few pages - and continually after that. If things don't go her way, she pouts. She can make fun of people, but don't try to do it to her. She has to win EVERY TIME! This woman is completely obnoxious, which makes the fact that men seem to like her incomprehensible.
I was ready to file this as a DNF, but I really wanted to find out why Hemingway is calling her. (You never find out.) The book is actually not written badly, and it is interesting. It could have been a 3-star if Callie was more likable. It could even have been a 4-star if the ending was not predictable and unrealistic. But it just wasn't worth the time I spent reading it.
I thought that sounded interesting, so I reread The Sun Also Rises, watched the movie, and started this book. Callie is smart and successful, but recently laid off as a lawyer. She's also a totally unlikable bitch. You'll know she's smart and successful because she mentions it in the first few pages - and continually after that. If things don't go her way, she pouts. She can make fun of people, but don't try to do it to her. She has to win EVERY TIME! This woman is completely obnoxious, which makes the fact that men seem to like her incomprehensible.
I was ready to file this as a DNF, but I really wanted to find out why Hemingway is calling her. (You never find out.) The book is actually not written badly, and it is interesting. It could have been a 3-star if Callie was more likable. It could even have been a 4-star if the ending was not predictable and unrealistic. But it just wasn't worth the time I spent reading it.
November 15, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed reading “Finding Hemingway.” I can honestly say that I don’t think I’ve ever read a book quite like it. So, thank you, Ken Dortzbach, for being an original. It was quirky. The characters were strong, intelligent, and each had their own vulnerabilities. I particularly liked the beautiful descriptions of Spain. This novel had positive themes, such as that love doesn’t take away your personal strong. I also thought a lot about the parallels of this novel and “The Sun Also Rises.”
Congratulations on a fantastic first novel.
Congratulations on a fantastic first novel.
August 25, 2020
Thank you Books Forward for my ARC of Finding Hemingway.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I loved the mysterious calls from Hemingway, leading Callie to find her way.
Her time in Spain was transformative for her, both mentally and emotionally. She was able to grow as a person, shed who she used to be to prepare for the next stage in her life.
I took away one star because I knew how the book would end. But I still enjoyed the journey!
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I loved the mysterious calls from Hemingway, leading Callie to find her way.
Her time in Spain was transformative for her, both mentally and emotionally. She was able to grow as a person, shed who she used to be to prepare for the next stage in her life.
I took away one star because I knew how the book would end. But I still enjoyed the journey!
August 28, 2020
This may not be a popular opinion but I just did not like this book. I was so hopeful after reading the summary but it just fell flat. Callie was supposedly on a journey of self growth but I just saw her whiny and childish. Her alcohol fueled temper tantrums got old real fast. I didn't really find a lot of depth to her or the other characters. This book felt to me like it was trying to be Eat, Pray, Love but it just didn't work.
July 11, 2020
Interesting premise. I enjoyed the tour of Spain with the added Hemingway connection, but thought that the book was a little too lengthy. Happy endings are welcomed right now. Thank you Goodreads Giveaways.
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