Truth At First Light

Just in time to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Ernest Hemingway, comes his latest book, True At First Light. His son, Patrick, has edited an unpublished manuscript the author wrote about his trip to Africa in 1953-54. Patrick shouldn't have bothered. The book is an aimless, boring ramble where nothing much happens. Hemingway has been left in charge of the bush camp and he dwells on the responsibility. He writes about hunting, …

…It is an honour. A man must comport himself as a man. He must fight ... He should follow his tribal laws and customs ... But it is never a reproach that he has kept a child's heart, a child's honesty and a child's freshness and nobility." Sadly, there's very little else of value here. If you really want to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Papa's birth, reread one of his masterpieces. It'll be time better spent.