My presentation on the further implications of Brasch and Sigman’s bibliography of Hemingway’s Library went very well this morning and was well received. It was an exhilarating and rewarding experience to stand and deliver the personal stories behind the creation of this book and the ongoing challenges to scholars to examine the influence of Hemingway’s reading on the development of his craft.
Tour of Horton Bay
Yesterday, on the tour to Horton Bay, through an unexpected near encounter with poison ivy, Eleanor & I were invited inside Pinehurst, the Dillworth home where Hemingway often stayed, and which served the chicken dinner for Ernest & Hadley’s wedding reception. All our group got to see the shed at the back of the house where EH often slept; there was even an old cot-bed leaning against the wall. The inside of the house had many small rooms, lovely wood flooring. Since we had been here about 10 years ago, we did not miss out on the group’s tour of the nearby bay and enjoyed this privileged entry into the house. Tonight we tour again, and it ends with a social time at the house next door, Shangra-la, where the champagne wedding reception took place on the lawn. Very exciting to step back in time, Midnight in Paris notwithstanding.
Up in Michigan
We arrived in Petoskey this afternoon after a lovely drive up from Midland. Rain went away and sun came out. We found our way to the Terrace Inn of 1911, small room but clean and quaint. We registered for the Hemingway conference and are now relaxing and cleaning up for the opening reception at the Perry Hotel. It all looks lovely. The conference takes place in Bay View, a collection of buildings like a summer campus and our hotel is adjacent to this park. So, easy access to all the sessions. We are happy and excited.
Our website has gone live: wayneandeleanor.com
Our novel, Hemingway’s Island, is officially launched. Give it a look.
All Bests, wf/eij
Welcome
Eleanor Johnston and Wayne Fraser have written and published a novel about Ernest
Hemingway. Hemingway’s Island is now available for purchase on our website. You can
soon purchase a copy from amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.
At the International Hemingway conference in Petoskey, Michigan (June 2012) they
will make a joint presentation on the process and challenges of using Hemingway as a
character in their novel. As well, Wayne will present a paper on “Subterfuge at the Finca:
Further implications of Brasch and Sigman’s Hemingway’s Library,” which details the
challenges faced by these two academics in their efforts to catalogue all of Hemingway’s
9,000 books still in his home in Cuba.