Ernest Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway had a very unusual writing style. He would write in short, staccato sentences, prioritizing words with as few syllables as possible. This created a sense of simplicity to his writing that conveyed both strength and sparsity. It was like nothing that had been seen before.

Outside of his writing, Hemingway was every bit the troubled genius. Depression ran in his family, with his father taking his own life when Hemingway was just twenty-nine. Hemingway seemed to manage his own depression, in no small part, by drinking heavily. Ernest had built up quite a tolerance and a drinking session for Ernest could include a staggering seventeen double-daiquiris in one sitting. He is even famous for developing his own recipe of daiquiri, when he told a barman he preferred them with no sugar and double the rum.

Ernest Hemingway and Pamplona

It is not an exaggeration to say that Hemingway put Pamplona on the map. He visited the city a total of nine times in his life, on each occasion he stayed for a prolonged period. He loved the party atmosphere, the bullfighting and of course… the bars. Hemingway’s first novel, The Sun Also Rises (1926) was set against the backdrop of Pamplona and to be honest, it is impossible to imagine it being set anywhere else. The protagonists are a group of young, libertine socialites. The characters, with the beautiful, free-loving liberal city of Pamplona as a backdrop, epitomize the spirit of the roaring twenties and the carefree energies of youth.

Just outside of the bullring in Pamplona, is a monument to Ernest Hemingway. It is carved out of solid granite and manages to look both simplistic and complex, mirroring his writing. As a Hemingway fan should you visit his statue? If you must, although I don’t believe it is the best place to pay your respects to the writer, I think he would rather you visit one of his favorite old bars, Café Iruña, and raise a glass to him instead.

Ernest Hemingway’s death

Hemingway battled with depression for all of his life and by his twilight years, was being prescribed librium. This drug caused him to become confused, suffer from short term memory loss and his writing suffered as a result. In addition to the drugs, Hemingway also underwent multiple rounds of electric shock therapy. Ernest’s family knew he was suffering, there was a failed suicide attempt whereby on a runway in South Dakota he tried to walk into the propellors of a small jet engine. The pilot, noticing Ernest was heading straight for the rotary blades, killed the engines just in time.

After a two-month stay at a mental health clinic, Ernest Hemingway decided his days were over. His wife Mary awoke to the sound of a gunshot downstairs. She had locked away the shotgun but Ernest had managed to find the key. Initially, there was some confusion surrounding his death, Mary told the newspapers that the gun had discharged accidentally. Years later Mary would recant this story advising that it was suicide.

If you are suffering from dark or suicidal thoughts, there are people who can help. Organizations such as The Samaritans are there to listen, they can offer free, confidential help for anyone who is struggling.

Ernest Hemingway Fun Facts

1. In his later life psychoactive drugs, intended to treat his depression mixed with heavy alcohol abuse began to take its toll. Hemingway became paranoid, convinced that government agencies were monitoring his every move. Just because you’re paranoid though, doesn’t mean people aren’t after you. The FBI were monitoring Hemingway, due to the time he had spent in Cuba the FBI were concerned Hemingway was a Soviet spy.
2.   Hemingway survived two plane crashes in two days. The first plane went down when they were sightseeing in the Congo, the second plane, that was supposed to take them to receive medical attention, exploded upon takeoff. Ernest Hemingway reportedly had to headbutt open the door to allow him and his wife to escape.
3. This one will make you paws (get it!) for thought… Hemingway loved polydactyl cats, what’s a polydactyl cat I hear you ask? It’s a cat with six toes. Visitors to his house in Florida are today greeted by descendants of his cats.