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reviews

Hemingway Deadlights

Michael Atkinson
Minotaur Books (2009)
ISBN 9780312379711
Reviewed by Enid Grabiner for RebeccasReads


This is an uproariously funny spoof of the larger than life author, Ernest Hemingway, who becomes enmeshed in solving the mystery of a Key West drinking buddy who is inexplicably found harpooned to death near the docks.  Quickly realizing he knows nothing more about the man but his preference for liquor, sets upon his own investigation of his death.  The man’s name is an alias and he appears to have no family and few friends, so Hemingway feels obliged to pay for the funeral and discover the circumstances surrounding his death.  Stumbling ahead he becomes drawn into an intricate plot more threatening than he ever imagined, involving smuggling, the mob, CIA, FBI, Castro and Che and Batista fighting off the Communists.

At a time in his life when his ideas and words have gone dry, he whets his palate with booze, womanizes and ventures on an escapade that draws him home to Cuba.  Because of his reputation as a famous author, he takes advantage of his status presuming it gives him immunity from danger.  He heads into a wild and irresponsible foray into the underbelly of politics and comes face to face with its treacherous characters, soon realizing he may just be putting himself at risk.  The more he tries to become the confrontational detective of his imagination, the more he becomes aware of his own vulnerability.

Michael Atkinson describes Papa Hemingway just as one might imagine –a larger than life booming personality steamrolling over all he encounters.  He does however humanize him, exposing a compassionate moral fiber so often hidden from his readers.  References to his wives and prize winning novels round out the impression we get of this fat, alcoholic, loud, tough character who underneath has a sense of loyalty and compassion. I wanted to whack him and other times hug him.  The portrayal of the Key West and Cuban settings in the 1950’s time frame appear to have been well researched and are colorfully descriptive. They enhance the story by giving the reader a good sense of time and locale.