The Importance of Not Being Ernest

Mark Kurlansky, a New York Times bestselling author, has written a biography of Ernest Hemingway called "The Importance of Not Being Ernest." It explores the intersections between Hemingway's and Kurlansky's lives, resulting in creative accounts of two inspiring writing careers. The book includes entertaining and illuminative stories, little-known historical facts, and anecdotes about those who suffer from "hemitis." Readers of Haruki Murakamis, John Steinbeck's "Travels with Charley in Search of America," or "The Boys" will enjoy the book.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2022
Publisher: Mango Media

Ernest Hemingway, a literary legend, has captivated the hearts and minds of readers for generations. In this captivating biography, author and journalist Mark Kurlansky delves into the life and works of Hemingway in a way that has never been done before.

Born in 1899 in Illinois, Hemingway's journey was marked by a series of coincidences that intertwined his life with Kurlansky's. Kurlansky, who was in Idaho the day of Hemingway's death, has been fascinated by the author's legend ever since.

The Importance of Not Being Ernest explores the intersections between Hemingway's and Kurlansky's lives, resulting in creative accounts of two inspiring writing careers. Kurlansky takes readers on a journey through the world, detailing his ten years in Paris and his time as a journalist in Spain, both cities important to Hemingway's adventurous life and prolific writing.

Paris, the Basque Country, Havana, and Idaho are just a few of the places that Kurlansky visits in this personal memoir. Along the way, he meets extraordinary people who have also fallen under the Hemingway spell, including a Vietnam veteran suffering from the same syndrome that the author did, two winners of the Key West Hemingway look-alike contest, and the man in Idaho who took Hemingway hunting and fishing.

The Importance of Not Being Ernest is not just a biography; it is a memoir full of entertaining and illuminative stories. Kurlansky shares little-known historical facts about Hemingway's life, including his time in Spain during the Spanish Civil War and his close relationship with Fidel Castro. He also shares anecdotes about those who suffer from what Kurlansky calls "hemitis," a condition that causes people to feel disconnected from the world around them.

Readers of Haruki Murakami will particularly enjoy this unique gift for writers. Kurlansky's writing style is reminiscent of Murakami's, with its blend of humor, introspection, and adventure. The Importance of Not Being Ernest is a must-read for anyone who loves literature, history, and the extraordinary lives of great writers.

In conclusion, Ernest Hemingway's life and works have been illuminated in a way that has never been seen before. Through the eyes of author and journalist Mark Kurlansky, we gain a deeper understanding of the man and his legacy. The Importance of Not Being Ernest is a must-read for anyone who loves literature, history, and the extraordinary lives of great writers.

Weight: 596g
Dimension: 158 x 237 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781642504637