True at First Light is a posthumous release, a first draft by Hemingway and edited and condensed by his son Patrick. Naturally there is the "should that have been done?" controversy and critics have complained of a "lack of plot" but I thought this work may appeal to some here (hunters) so thought I'd review it.
"A fictional memoir" of his time in Africa between 1953-54, six months in real life I believe accompanied by his 4th wife and widow Mary Welsh. This is a blend of fact and fiction and the heart of the story revolves around Mary killing an old, wise black-maned lion that was marked for killing cattle. The significance of this of course is that Mary, a woman, wants to kill this old wise and wild lion in the traditional and prestigious manner that has all but fallen out of style/opportunity; a clean kill by way of spot and stalk in the lion's habitat, playing his game without the aid of baiting and cheating etc.
If you are a fan of Hemingway AND a hunter this is a no-brainer, you need to read this. If you are just a hunter then this book is still worth your time. Critics and lay-critics alike have complained about this lacking a plot to which I would argue if you aren't a hunter then you may well not relate at all to the hunting. To a hunter, there is absolutely a plot and it is compelling. Secondly, this is part
memoir and it's a first draft. The plot in a memoir is life, this is written somewhat on actual events and therefore the actual events have bearing on where the plot goes. The lack of twists and turns and such is not surprising, this is not wholly a novel. Who knows what it would have become after editing and polishing and finishing etc?
Classic Hemingway themes throughout including the hunt (and its importance to the hunter, the ritual and celebration, and respect), men and women and their similarities/differences, marriage and that whole dance, age and youth, masculinity, and patriarchy and matriarchy. Small commentaries as usual on war and fighting. Also white and black culture.
This book particularly resonated with me being a hunter, married for almost 10 years, and I've hunted with my wife. So much truth in Hemingway's writing and he captures so much of everyday life and relationships. Hemingway's prose is fantastic, my favorite writing style hands down and therefor to me his stuff is never boring and most of it is fairly profound. He's never writing just to write, there's always something you are supposed to feel and if you are bored then you're not paying attention.
Another thing I thought was fascinating was the fact that this was a first draft so it offers a glimpse into his process and his life. His thoughts. It's all over the place at times, lot's of fragments and such that are normally edited out but here you get to see them. It's a rough work and that has been criticized unfairly in my opinion.
Bottom line: there's some great hunting scenes and he captures all the reasons why hunting is fun and wholesome and a part of life. If there's nothing else in it for you, there is that.
