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The Broken Places
In 1931, Gregory Hemingway's life begins in Kansas City, Missouri. The third and favourite son of an overbearing father, Greg is a paragon: a star athlete, a crack shot, bright and handsome and built like a pocket battleship.
In 2001, Gloria Hemingway's life ends in a Miami women's correctional institution. Despite heartbreak and disapproval, and defying all odds, this life has been a miracle.
Inspired by true events and spanning seventy years of the last century, this is the story of an extraordinary figure. Transporting the reader back and forth in time, from Cuba to New York and Montana to Florida, The Broken Places explores what it means to grow up in the shadow of a man famous for his masculinity, to bear the weight of expectation and a tragic family legacy, and to finally step out into the light.
In 2001, Gloria Hemingway's life ends in a Miami women's correctional institution. Despite heartbreak and disapproval, and defying all odds, this life has been a miracle.
Inspired by true events and spanning seventy years of the last century, this is the story of an extraordinary figure. Transporting the reader back and forth in time, from Cuba to New York and Montana to Florida, The Broken Places explores what it means to grow up in the shadow of a man famous for his masculinity, to bear the weight of expectation and a tragic family legacy, and to finally step out into the light.
388 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 8, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 15, 2023
Ernest Hemingway’s third child Gregory had a difficult life. Living in his father’s shadow, constantly fighting for his adoration. A sentence of praise, a constantly sought-after gift. He was born a natural athlete, handsome and intelligent. But he also lived with a secret. A secret he found terrible and shameful.
Gregory, or Gigi, liked to dress in women’s clothes. With his father a paragon of masculinity, this passion was never going to be tolerated, always considered abnormal. There had to be something wrong with his favourite son. His father’s derision only added to his crippling feelings of guilt and shame.
The narrative covers seventy years of a love/hate relationship between father and son. A relationship akin to tumultuous waves in a storm. The never-ending highs and troughs.
This is a story about having the courage to come out of the closet and live life in an era with no tolerance for that life. It is a story about trying to live up to impossible standards while living with debilitating guilt. Guilt that his actions led to his mother’s death. A guilt that his father only exacerbates as their relationship starts to dwindle to estrangement.
Most readers will know of Ernest Hemingway’s struggle with depression and his eventual suicide but may not know that his son was also afflicted and diagnosed with the same scourge.
Gregory or Gloria’s story reads like a novel. A story filled with tragedy and sadness, but also strength and resilience. His life was a struggle and at times it is difficult, painful, to read. But admiration must be felt as he battles his urges and depression in a century that had little understanding of either.
A wonderfully written debut, which has urged me to read more about the Hemingway family.
Gregory, or Gigi, liked to dress in women’s clothes. With his father a paragon of masculinity, this passion was never going to be tolerated, always considered abnormal. There had to be something wrong with his favourite son. His father’s derision only added to his crippling feelings of guilt and shame.
The narrative covers seventy years of a love/hate relationship between father and son. A relationship akin to tumultuous waves in a storm. The never-ending highs and troughs.
This is a story about having the courage to come out of the closet and live life in an era with no tolerance for that life. It is a story about trying to live up to impossible standards while living with debilitating guilt. Guilt that his actions led to his mother’s death. A guilt that his father only exacerbates as their relationship starts to dwindle to estrangement.
Most readers will know of Ernest Hemingway’s struggle with depression and his eventual suicide but may not know that his son was also afflicted and diagnosed with the same scourge.
Gregory or Gloria’s story reads like a novel. A story filled with tragedy and sadness, but also strength and resilience. His life was a struggle and at times it is difficult, painful, to read. But admiration must be felt as he battles his urges and depression in a century that had little understanding of either.
A wonderfully written debut, which has urged me to read more about the Hemingway family.
December 2, 2023
"It's all Greg," he tried to explain. "And it's all Gloria. Because it's all me, you see? The names help, that's all. I'm not two people."
Die Geschichte von Greg / Gloria Hemingway, dem "Lieblingskind" von Ernest Hemingway beginnt 1931 in Kansas City und endet 2001 in einem Frauengefängnis in Miami. Dazwischen liegt ein Leben, das faszinierend ist und eine fesselnde Romanhandlung abgibt, fünf Ehen, acht Kinder, eine Karriere als Arzt und eine als Schriftsteller. Russel Franklin liefert uns aber nicht nur die historisch belegten Fakten, sondern bietet einen berührenden Einblick in Gregs / Glorias Gefühle und Gedanken. Als Kind auf Kuba, das nichts mehr will, als dem überlebensgroßen Vater zu gefallen und später als getriebene, zerrissene Persönlichkeit, die versucht mit Elektroschocktherapie die manischen und depressiven Phasen zu bekämpfen.
Ich bin Hals über Kopf eingetaucht in dieses Leben voller Tragik und Schmerz und Suff und Bruderliebe und kurzen Momenten der Euphorie und des Friedens. Russel Franklin erzählt bildgewaltig und es gelingt ihm, die Komplexität der (sich wandelnden) Geschlechtsidentität der Hauptfigur einzufangen. Die Geschichte ist nicht linear erzählt und entsprechend fließt die Handlung nicht chronologisch, aber wir bleiben durchgängig in der Perspektive von Greg / Gloria und kommen diesem komplexen Charakter so nah, dass es manchmal schwerfällt, sich daran zu erinnern, dass das hier ein Roman ist und keine (Auto-) Biografie.
Die Geschichte von Greg / Gloria Hemingway, dem "Lieblingskind" von Ernest Hemingway beginnt 1931 in Kansas City und endet 2001 in einem Frauengefängnis in Miami. Dazwischen liegt ein Leben, das faszinierend ist und eine fesselnde Romanhandlung abgibt, fünf Ehen, acht Kinder, eine Karriere als Arzt und eine als Schriftsteller. Russel Franklin liefert uns aber nicht nur die historisch belegten Fakten, sondern bietet einen berührenden Einblick in Gregs / Glorias Gefühle und Gedanken. Als Kind auf Kuba, das nichts mehr will, als dem überlebensgroßen Vater zu gefallen und später als getriebene, zerrissene Persönlichkeit, die versucht mit Elektroschocktherapie die manischen und depressiven Phasen zu bekämpfen.
Ich bin Hals über Kopf eingetaucht in dieses Leben voller Tragik und Schmerz und Suff und Bruderliebe und kurzen Momenten der Euphorie und des Friedens. Russel Franklin erzählt bildgewaltig und es gelingt ihm, die Komplexität der (sich wandelnden) Geschlechtsidentität der Hauptfigur einzufangen. Die Geschichte ist nicht linear erzählt und entsprechend fließt die Handlung nicht chronologisch, aber wir bleiben durchgängig in der Perspektive von Greg / Gloria und kommen diesem komplexen Charakter so nah, dass es manchmal schwerfällt, sich daran zu erinnern, dass das hier ein Roman ist und keine (Auto-) Biografie.
June 17, 2023
It was the cover of this beautiful debut novel that caught my eye on Netgalley. The eye-catching cover and the intriguing blurb touching on the forgotten child of Ernest Hemingway drew me in.
I knew very little about the Hemingway family but this book sent me down a rabbit hole when I finished.
Gregory Hemingway was the third and favourite son of the esteemed writer but was apparently virtually written out of the Hemingway family’s history. A talented athlete and a towering intellect with a penchant for cross-dressing from a young age, Gregory lived a life that was at times tortured and defied expectations, alternating between Gregory and Gloria (among other identities) for much of their life.
This book, inspired by Gregory’s life, reimagines Gregory’s childhood and the pain of living with the weight of expectation of a father famed for his masculinity, at a time in history when to be transgender was pretty much completely out of the question. The story is told in a non-linear timeline, moving from Missouri to Cuba and from New York to Florida, from the late 1930s to the 21st Century. Cuba in particular is vividly brought to life.
It’s difficult at times to believe this is a debut novel - captivating prose, some beautiful turns of phrase, and a poignancy and a maturity to the writing that speaks to the assuredness of a more seasoned writer. Franklin is a talent and I expect this will feature on some prize lists over the next year or so. Impressive. Another good choice for your Pride month reading list. 4/5⭐️
*Many thanks to @orionbooks @hachetteuk @phoenixbooks for the advance copy of The Broken Places via @netgalley. The book was published on 8 June and is available now. As always, this is an honest review.*
I knew very little about the Hemingway family but this book sent me down a rabbit hole when I finished.
Gregory Hemingway was the third and favourite son of the esteemed writer but was apparently virtually written out of the Hemingway family’s history. A talented athlete and a towering intellect with a penchant for cross-dressing from a young age, Gregory lived a life that was at times tortured and defied expectations, alternating between Gregory and Gloria (among other identities) for much of their life.
This book, inspired by Gregory’s life, reimagines Gregory’s childhood and the pain of living with the weight of expectation of a father famed for his masculinity, at a time in history when to be transgender was pretty much completely out of the question. The story is told in a non-linear timeline, moving from Missouri to Cuba and from New York to Florida, from the late 1930s to the 21st Century. Cuba in particular is vividly brought to life.
It’s difficult at times to believe this is a debut novel - captivating prose, some beautiful turns of phrase, and a poignancy and a maturity to the writing that speaks to the assuredness of a more seasoned writer. Franklin is a talent and I expect this will feature on some prize lists over the next year or so. Impressive. Another good choice for your Pride month reading list. 4/5⭐️
*Many thanks to @orionbooks @hachetteuk @phoenixbooks for the advance copy of The Broken Places via @netgalley. The book was published on 8 June and is available now. As always, this is an honest review.*
August 30, 2023
Quite a sad book really but well-written and thought provoking.
May 2, 2024
This felt really supposition-y to me - just felt like someone decided to say how this Greg Hemingway thought and felt at loads of different points in his life. I could take the known facts of his life and do a very different portrait so what’s the point if it’s just someone fictionalising a real persons life? I don’t really understand what the point is of writing this.
I’ve always been quite wary of reading any Ernest Hemingway because of his hyper masculine persona- fishing and boxing and bullfighting 🥱- to me he seems very much like an olden days Andrew Tate: influencing idiots into dangerous ideas which breed toxic masculinity and negging and 4chan and incels etc
I suppose in that way it’s poetically ironic that Ernest’s son had a peculiar relationship with his gender identity. I found the bit toward the end where the writer insinuated that perhaps Ernest Hemingway was a bit of a gender bender too pretty amusing.
The rest of the book was pretty un-engaging and boring to me, maybe because I’m not a Hemingway fan and I’m not that interested in issues of gender identity either.
I’ve always been quite wary of reading any Ernest Hemingway because of his hyper masculine persona- fishing and boxing and bullfighting 🥱- to me he seems very much like an olden days Andrew Tate: influencing idiots into dangerous ideas which breed toxic masculinity and negging and 4chan and incels etc
I suppose in that way it’s poetically ironic that Ernest’s son had a peculiar relationship with his gender identity. I found the bit toward the end where the writer insinuated that perhaps Ernest Hemingway was a bit of a gender bender too pretty amusing.
The rest of the book was pretty un-engaging and boring to me, maybe because I’m not a Hemingway fan and I’m not that interested in issues of gender identity either.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2024
Hmmmm how to rate this? The story of Greg/Gloria is very interesting as I've read The Paris Wife and a few other books that touch on his father's life so knew a bit about the Hemingway's story already.
I found the writing a bit annoying, it wasn't full of descriptions (which is usually what turns me off), and though you couldn't call it a pacy page turner, I didn't dread picking it back up to read, BUT I didn't like how vague it all was, the way you had to kind of guess at what was happening.
I feel like the author was trying to gloss over major plot points - for example the 'surgery' at the end, the allusion to being bipolar which is just glossed over as depressive periods, not to mention how it was never mentioned why he hated being called Gigi - nothing is explicitly explained which really bugged me , and once again I felt like the Wikipedia page was more informative than the book!
I found the writing a bit annoying, it wasn't full of descriptions (which is usually what turns me off), and though you couldn't call it a pacy page turner, I didn't dread picking it back up to read, BUT I didn't like how vague it all was, the way you had to kind of guess at what was happening.
I feel like the author was trying to gloss over major plot points - for example the 'surgery' at the end, the allusion to being bipolar which is just glossed over as depressive periods, not to mention how it was never mentioned why he hated being called Gigi - nothing is explicitly explained which really bugged me , and once again I felt like the Wikipedia page was more informative than the book!
September 19, 2023
Biofiction. A sensitive and insightful view of what it is to be transgender from initial confusion, shame and self loathing through to coming to an understanding and acceptance of a non binary self. Undermined by doubts re the setting within the Hemingway family and the real life Gregory Hemingway, so, fictionalised accounts of other real people, events and places. A useful list of biographies and autobiographies at the end written by family members and others is provided. Despite stating from the start that this is a work of fiction based on real events it reads so convincingly that many could take it as less fictional than it is. There is no indication that family members were consulted and they are not amongst those thanked at the end. Because this book drew me in so thoroughly and because his voice is so strong, in order to see Gregory Hemingway, I now need to read an actual biography to seperate fiction and fact, and the author's obvious sympathy with him against a non-fictional work giving a fuller, and more detailed outline of the other characters in the book. My feeling is actually that they will match up on major points, but despite that there is still a strong sense of there being a gap which needs to be filled.
January 12, 2025
There was a lot more potential here than was realised. When writing about characters from minorities it is important to do your research, doublely so when it's based around a real person. The portrayal of Gloria was not as bad as it could have been, but I felt a lot was missing. Most tellingly, cis people reading this seem to not understand that she was indeed a woman.
June 17, 2023
‘The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places.’
– ERNEST HEMINGWAY
Ahh, Ernest. What a shadow of toxic masculinity to grow up under. Prior to reading this, I didn’t know much about Hemingway’s children, my reading has been more on the man himself and his wives, so this was a refreshing take on the man, although, I’ll say from the outset, I am no fonder of him for it.
‘Was it worth it? That ten years when the critics gave a damn? The handful of real stories and the two decent novels and the little line of prizes on the mantelpiece? Was it worth destroying all the living, breathing people who loved you? I hope so, because you don’t have anything else. Nothing.
You made me think it was my fault, you shit. Just to soothe your own guilt, or just to fuck me up more than I already was. You did that to your own son. Didn’t you feel anything? Watching me fall apart?’
This is Russell Franklin’s debut novel and what an extraordinary piece of literary brilliance it is. I can only imagine the writer he is going to evolve into. This story of Gregory Hemingway is told with such brutal honesty yet delivered with sensitivity and grace. I have rarely read such intimate thoughts of turmoil and distress within a character as what Russell gives us with Gregory and his struggles with mental illness and gender identity. It’s a magnificent work of biographical historical fiction.
‘The work didn’t even matter any more. That was the truth. It was the man that mattered, the legend, and none of them even knew him. How wonderful he had been. What a colossal pig-headed shit. The reading public knew a character that Ernest Hemingway himself had created. A character that had wormed its way into his blood and started speaking through his mouth, puffing his chest outwards for the cameras, until the real man forgot that he had ever been anything else but this story he was telling. Maybe that was the sign of a truly great writer, that they can tell a story so convincingly that even they believe it.’
I read this novel within a day, all 390 pages of it, not something I do very often, let me say. But I couldn’t put it down and fortunately, I had begun it on the morning of a public holiday. Needless to say, I recommend this one. It gets six stars out of five, I loved it that much.
Thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
– ERNEST HEMINGWAY
Ahh, Ernest. What a shadow of toxic masculinity to grow up under. Prior to reading this, I didn’t know much about Hemingway’s children, my reading has been more on the man himself and his wives, so this was a refreshing take on the man, although, I’ll say from the outset, I am no fonder of him for it.
‘Was it worth it? That ten years when the critics gave a damn? The handful of real stories and the two decent novels and the little line of prizes on the mantelpiece? Was it worth destroying all the living, breathing people who loved you? I hope so, because you don’t have anything else. Nothing.
You made me think it was my fault, you shit. Just to soothe your own guilt, or just to fuck me up more than I already was. You did that to your own son. Didn’t you feel anything? Watching me fall apart?’
This is Russell Franklin’s debut novel and what an extraordinary piece of literary brilliance it is. I can only imagine the writer he is going to evolve into. This story of Gregory Hemingway is told with such brutal honesty yet delivered with sensitivity and grace. I have rarely read such intimate thoughts of turmoil and distress within a character as what Russell gives us with Gregory and his struggles with mental illness and gender identity. It’s a magnificent work of biographical historical fiction.
‘The work didn’t even matter any more. That was the truth. It was the man that mattered, the legend, and none of them even knew him. How wonderful he had been. What a colossal pig-headed shit. The reading public knew a character that Ernest Hemingway himself had created. A character that had wormed its way into his blood and started speaking through his mouth, puffing his chest outwards for the cameras, until the real man forgot that he had ever been anything else but this story he was telling. Maybe that was the sign of a truly great writer, that they can tell a story so convincingly that even they believe it.’
I read this novel within a day, all 390 pages of it, not something I do very often, let me say. But I couldn’t put it down and fortunately, I had begun it on the morning of a public holiday. Needless to say, I recommend this one. It gets six stars out of five, I loved it that much.
Thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
August 16, 2023
Just an incredible story. Extremely well written!
A decades-long journey of a truly tortured soul.
My empathy for Gigi/Gloria, remains and for all that have struggled with their sexual identity and their mental health.
A decades-long journey of a truly tortured soul.
My empathy for Gigi/Gloria, remains and for all that have struggled with their sexual identity and their mental health.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2023
Brilliant, read this with curiosity not expecting such an outstanding literary journey, will read Boat and The Old Man and the Sea again with renewed interest, can't see this being bettered and look forward to Russells next book...
January 4, 2024
Such an interesting read! This is a fictionalised account of Greg Hemingway’s life, the youngest (and often favourite) child of the larger-than-life and all out man’s man, Ernest Hemingway. I knew little of Hemingway’s life but there was so much to digest, I was constantly looking up biographical details of both father and son. Much to his father’s delight Greg was a talented sportsman and scholar earning him the much sought after praise of his beloved Papa. But from an early age, Greg struggled with gender identity and when his father discovered him dressing in women’s clothing, the relationship was never quite the same. In some ways Greg and his brother lived a lavish, exotic and adventurous lifestyle but the fractured family links, the demands of their overbearing father and a legacy of depression and tragedy passed down through generations weighed heavily on Greg and his mental health deteriorated. The episodes of mania and depression that Greg suffered were so well written that I could feel myself spiralling along with him. His plight was so sensitively, but also realistically written, until it all ultimately led to Greg transitioning into Gloria when he could no longer exist as Greg. It was never going to end well and the ending was really very sad. Cover quotes sum it up well, “Sunlit and dark, painful and joyous”; “A humane and compassionate look at a fascinating life, the complexity of gender, and the destructive legacy of being the child of the world’s most famous alpha male”.
May 9, 2024
“𝙷𝚎’𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚐𝚛𝚘𝚠𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚒𝚝. 𝙸 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚜, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚑𝚎’𝚜 𝚘𝚗𝚕𝚢 𝚐𝚘𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚗 𝚋𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚊𝚝 𝚑𝚒𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚒𝚝.”
Mne osobne táto kniha až tak nesadla. V najväčšej pravdepodobnosti to bude tým, že vo všeobecnosti takúto literatúru veľmi nevyhľadávam ale nakoľko som otvorená aj iným štýlom ako bežne čítam som jej dala šancu. Nebolo to zlé ale som toho názoru, že tento príbeh ani neurazí ale ani nenadchne. Osobne si však myslím, že nakoľko je toto autorova prvotina tak sa s ňou dobre popasoval. Skoro štyristo strán príbehu bolo napísaných pútavo aj keď som mala momenty, kedy sa mi čítať veľmi nechcelo.
V príbehu sa vyskytuje transrodová tématika a myslím si, že autor sa s touto tématikou popasoval veľmi slušne a miestami mi až zvieralo vnútro. Gregory mal náročný život už len preto, lebo vyrastal v otcovom tieni a aj napriek tomu, že bol naozaj šikovný a nádejný atlét skrýval tajomstvo, ktoré by mu mohlo zničiť život. Mal rád ženské oblečenie, rád sa doňho obliekal a táto jeho tajná vášeň sa nestretla s pochopením. Keď som si uvedomila, že príbeh je inšpirovaný skutočnými udalosťami, príde mi ešte silnejší a uveriteľnejší a dokážem sa do postavy Gregoryho vcítiť.
Táto kniha je o sebapoznaní, duševných poruchách, dôvere a rodine. V knihe sa prelínajú rôzne dejové línie a miestami to pôsobilo trochu chaoticky aj napriek tomu, že je na začiatku určené miesto a rok, v ktorom sa daná časť príbehu odohráva. A za mňa mohli byť niektoré kapitoly a pasáže kratšie.
Mne osobne táto kniha až tak nesadla. V najväčšej pravdepodobnosti to bude tým, že vo všeobecnosti takúto literatúru veľmi nevyhľadávam ale nakoľko som otvorená aj iným štýlom ako bežne čítam som jej dala šancu. Nebolo to zlé ale som toho názoru, že tento príbeh ani neurazí ale ani nenadchne. Osobne si však myslím, že nakoľko je toto autorova prvotina tak sa s ňou dobre popasoval. Skoro štyristo strán príbehu bolo napísaných pútavo aj keď som mala momenty, kedy sa mi čítať veľmi nechcelo.
V príbehu sa vyskytuje transrodová tématika a myslím si, že autor sa s touto tématikou popasoval veľmi slušne a miestami mi až zvieralo vnútro. Gregory mal náročný život už len preto, lebo vyrastal v otcovom tieni a aj napriek tomu, že bol naozaj šikovný a nádejný atlét skrýval tajomstvo, ktoré by mu mohlo zničiť život. Mal rád ženské oblečenie, rád sa doňho obliekal a táto jeho tajná vášeň sa nestretla s pochopením. Keď som si uvedomila, že príbeh je inšpirovaný skutočnými udalosťami, príde mi ešte silnejší a uveriteľnejší a dokážem sa do postavy Gregoryho vcítiť.
Táto kniha je o sebapoznaní, duševných poruchách, dôvere a rodine. V knihe sa prelínajú rôzne dejové línie a miestami to pôsobilo trochu chaoticky aj napriek tomu, že je na začiatku určené miesto a rok, v ktorom sa daná časť príbehu odohráva. A za mňa mohli byť niektoré kapitoly a pasáže kratšie.
June 16, 2023
The Broken Places was a tragic and deeply fascinating story based on the life of Greg/Gloria Hemingway. It's intimate and intricate detail made it compelling reading.
The timeline moves forward and back to recount childhood memories moving into adulthood. Greg was a young boy constantly seeking the approval of his father. But a deeply hidden part of Greg became exposed and this exposure was to affect Greg for the rest of his troubled life.
Struggling with his identity, with mental illness and addiction, Greg forever tried to be what his father wanted. But tragedy upon tragedy sees Greg fail at marriage and fatherhood as his demons overcome him. Alone and hopeless, Greg allows himself to become who he has always been. Part Greg, part Gloria.
The ending of Gloria's life was the most lonely and heart-wrenching of circumstances after a life of deep sadness and confusion.
Brilliantly written, all-consuming and deeply moving. The Broken Places is a triumph.
The timeline moves forward and back to recount childhood memories moving into adulthood. Greg was a young boy constantly seeking the approval of his father. But a deeply hidden part of Greg became exposed and this exposure was to affect Greg for the rest of his troubled life.
Struggling with his identity, with mental illness and addiction, Greg forever tried to be what his father wanted. But tragedy upon tragedy sees Greg fail at marriage and fatherhood as his demons overcome him. Alone and hopeless, Greg allows himself to become who he has always been. Part Greg, part Gloria.
The ending of Gloria's life was the most lonely and heart-wrenching of circumstances after a life of deep sadness and confusion.
Brilliantly written, all-consuming and deeply moving. The Broken Places is a triumph.
September 12, 2024
A fine book. If you are also a trans person reading this, like me, and put it down with annoyance more than once when underwear was mentioned many more times than necessary, or the authors gaze crept into voyeuristic I’d urge you to finish it if only for the way that gaze does soften and grow more wise towards the end. It still would benefit greatly from some editorial notes from an actual trans person. That voice really is impossible to write from with perfect tone if it’s not your voice no matter how talented; and this writer is talented.
The story would lose nothing from those sentences being removed.
If this writer is in fact trans and I have misunderstood them please accept my apologies.
The story would lose nothing from those sentences being removed.
If this writer is in fact trans and I have misunderstood them please accept my apologies.
June 10, 2023
Ernest Hemingway has gone down in history as a particularly larger-than-life character in the minds of those who met him and those who didn't, but relatively little is known about the wider Hemingway family. In this lovingly tender, but brutally real, exploration into the life of Hemingway's youngest son, Gregory/Greg/Gigi/Gloria, the big man is given a supporting role, and though his presence is felt throughout, it is Greg's inner world into which we are drawn.
And it is an extremely emotional and powerful inner world. Franklin turns all readers into empaths as you perceive the pain experienced, both mentally and physically, by one who is buried under the conditions of worth heaped upon them by their family and society to such a degree that they spend their entire life searching for, and struggling with, their sense of identity and always searching for that elusive feeling of belonging and acceptance, both externally and internally.
It would have been easy to make this a story of right and wrong, make Greg/Gloria a victim, and though much of my despair as the reader came from the damaging behaviour inflicted on Greg/Gloria, Franklin brings a cast of three dimensional characters to the page; contradictory, conflicted, kind, cruel, heroic and cowardly.
Franklin clearly cares deeply for his protagonist, at times you almost feel a protectiveness towards them, but he doesn't shy away from showing us the truth which can catch you off guard and on occasion, take your breath away with its ferocity. Franklin's writing is like silk against the skin, always expertly gliding along unencumbered; as clear as the expansive blue Cuban sky, as smooth as the Cuban rum that flows through almost all of Greg/Gloria's childhood memories and as unsettlingly deep as the unforgiving waters of the Gulf Stream.
Although a debut novel, it is the work of an extremely skilled craftsman. One to watch, one to read, one to tell all your friends about.
And it is an extremely emotional and powerful inner world. Franklin turns all readers into empaths as you perceive the pain experienced, both mentally and physically, by one who is buried under the conditions of worth heaped upon them by their family and society to such a degree that they spend their entire life searching for, and struggling with, their sense of identity and always searching for that elusive feeling of belonging and acceptance, both externally and internally.
It would have been easy to make this a story of right and wrong, make Greg/Gloria a victim, and though much of my despair as the reader came from the damaging behaviour inflicted on Greg/Gloria, Franklin brings a cast of three dimensional characters to the page; contradictory, conflicted, kind, cruel, heroic and cowardly.
Franklin clearly cares deeply for his protagonist, at times you almost feel a protectiveness towards them, but he doesn't shy away from showing us the truth which can catch you off guard and on occasion, take your breath away with its ferocity. Franklin's writing is like silk against the skin, always expertly gliding along unencumbered; as clear as the expansive blue Cuban sky, as smooth as the Cuban rum that flows through almost all of Greg/Gloria's childhood memories and as unsettlingly deep as the unforgiving waters of the Gulf Stream.
Although a debut novel, it is the work of an extremely skilled craftsman. One to watch, one to read, one to tell all your friends about.
November 12, 2023
Inspired by true events, this story roughly chronicles the life of Gregory (aka Gigi/Gloria) Hemingway, the youngest son of the (in)famous Ernest Hemingway. His life was scarred by the ‘black ass’, as his father puts it, a condition affecting various members of this family. Although he tries to live and live normally, he lives with a secret, his moods swinging between depression and mania, until he finally finds some peace by becoming Gloria.
June 10, 2023
This was a poignant book and one that made me learned more about Hemingway's family and his youngest son, Gregory/Gloria
Ernest Hemingway was a very strong character and the impact on Gregory/Gloria is well described.
It's a moving, heart wrenching and well written story.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Ernest Hemingway was a very strong character and the impact on Gregory/Gloria is well described.
It's a moving, heart wrenching and well written story.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
October 11, 2023
Quite a curious insight into Ernest Hemingway’s 3rd child Gregory, who eventually transitioned into Gloria. This book highlights being raised in a very macho environment with his overtly masculine father, and the subsequent battle with his/her identity.
Although a fictionalised account, many parts of the story are based on facts.
Although a fictionalised account, many parts of the story are based on facts.
Read
November 6, 2023Ordered by mistake from the library when I was looking for a new John Boyne. Read and enjoyed for the insight into Earnest Hemingway from son's perspective. fiction based on fact.
Held my attention if not great writing. lots of good stories in Hemingways life.
Held my attention if not great writing. lots of good stories in Hemingways life.
August 5, 2024
A true gem of a book. Written with compassion and an insight hard to believe from a man. Greg/Gloria Hemingway…what a tortured human being, be they male or female. Who or what to blame for his/her pain? It has been a long time since I awarded five stars to a book, this one so deserves it.
February 7, 2024
52 books challenge 2024 #43 About finding identity
February 24, 2024
Fascinating, illuminating and sympathetic story.
August 14, 2023
A story of immense tragedy and sadness but in the end filled with resilience and joy. A little repetitive in places but a great insight into family, expectations and understanding
October 12, 2023
I really enjoy novels that are based on real life people, and The Broken Places centres around Gregory Hemingway, the favourite son of famous novelist Ernest. I have to admit that I knew very little about the Hemingway family before I began to read this book, and have spent a long time on Google since finishing the novel, finding out more about them. What a fascinating and fearsome family this was.
The book begins in Key West, USA in 1939 when Greg was just eight years old and sets the scene for what is to come. Greg and his brother Patrick spent their childhood flitting between the home of their mother in the US and then staying with Ernest, and an assortment of new wives in Cuba. Greg spent much of his life trying his best to impress his father, who was highly critical at times, terribly dismissive at others. Greg also carried around feelings of huge guilt, blaming himself for many events that happen during his life, even though, we as a reader, can see that he was not at fault.
Greg liked to dress in female clothing, and it was this that really caused so many issues with his father. Greg felt as though he really shouldn't be doing this, and tried to stop, but instinct took over. As years progress, Greg develops the same symptoms as his father, that of a manic depressive and failed marriages, as well as the continuing desire to dress as a female. Many many years later, he finally allows himself to be known as Gloria, and whilst he can then freely wear the clothes that he loves, the impact this has on his life is devastating.
Russell Franklin writes with such compassion. The portrayal of family relationships are stunning, especially that between Greg and Patrick, the brothers that grew up together, were thrust too early into adulthood and always seemed to have something to prove to others. Despite some tragic events, their relationship remains strong.
The sights and sounds of Cuba; the colour, the heat, the people, the community are all beautifully painted, the reader gets such a taste for this country and how unique it is.
Structurally, the novel can be challenging at times as the author skips from era to era, one does have to ensure that a note is taken of the date at the top of each chapter as it's not chronological at all.
I really enjoyed this glimpse into an extraordinary life. It is sensitively written, exploring many issues and whilst there are dark times for the characters, there are sparks of joy and tenderness throughout.
A fine debut from an author to watch. Recommended.
The book begins in Key West, USA in 1939 when Greg was just eight years old and sets the scene for what is to come. Greg and his brother Patrick spent their childhood flitting between the home of their mother in the US and then staying with Ernest, and an assortment of new wives in Cuba. Greg spent much of his life trying his best to impress his father, who was highly critical at times, terribly dismissive at others. Greg also carried around feelings of huge guilt, blaming himself for many events that happen during his life, even though, we as a reader, can see that he was not at fault.
Greg liked to dress in female clothing, and it was this that really caused so many issues with his father. Greg felt as though he really shouldn't be doing this, and tried to stop, but instinct took over. As years progress, Greg develops the same symptoms as his father, that of a manic depressive and failed marriages, as well as the continuing desire to dress as a female. Many many years later, he finally allows himself to be known as Gloria, and whilst he can then freely wear the clothes that he loves, the impact this has on his life is devastating.
Russell Franklin writes with such compassion. The portrayal of family relationships are stunning, especially that between Greg and Patrick, the brothers that grew up together, were thrust too early into adulthood and always seemed to have something to prove to others. Despite some tragic events, their relationship remains strong.
The sights and sounds of Cuba; the colour, the heat, the people, the community are all beautifully painted, the reader gets such a taste for this country and how unique it is.
Structurally, the novel can be challenging at times as the author skips from era to era, one does have to ensure that a note is taken of the date at the top of each chapter as it's not chronological at all.
I really enjoyed this glimpse into an extraordinary life. It is sensitively written, exploring many issues and whilst there are dark times for the characters, there are sparks of joy and tenderness throughout.
A fine debut from an author to watch. Recommended.
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