JasonKoivu

The machismo is thick and pungent in Green Hills of Africa, Hemingway's autobiographical account of a hunting trip in Africa.

It is one part self-glorifying portrait of a man's man and one part vilification of the same man for the same reason. If alpha-dog Hemingway had lived into his 80s, it would've been the 1980s and he would've tried out to be a contestant on American Gladiators. And then he would've admitted he was acting like a macho fool. That's just how he was, ALL-MAN! GRRR! But too introspective to believe his own hype from start to finish.

Aside from that, there are some interesting details on big game hunting, African tribesmen and guides, and the occasional difficulty or ease of language exchange. When not hunting, Hemingway talks books and writers with the few intellectuals he brought with him or came across along the way. We hear his opinion on the quality of the writer's of his day and just prior. Readers of A Movable Feast or who know his personal history will catch the thinly veiled criticism of his once mentor Gertrude Stein.

Green Hills of Africa has lyrical turns and can be engrossing, especially if you have read some of his previous work. An interest in hunting might help too. But of all his out-put, I could not suggest reading this first as it is not "Hemingway," as in "Have you read Hemingway?" This is more like a supplement for his fans who want to learn more about the man.