Published the year after Ernest’s suicide, this biography by his only brother, and youngest sibling, is a worthy read for any Hemingway fan. There are some new stories and anecdotes in this book. For example, Leicester met Mary Welsh years before she met Ernest and all she wanted to do was ask and talk about Ernest.
In spite of being 16 years apart, the brothers appeared to have genuine affection for each other and that shines through in Leicester’s writing. Ernest was the first of the six siblings to die and the book ends with Ernest’s suicide in 1961. Leicester had an interesting life of his own but this book is devoted to his brother. Sadly, after suffering many health problems, Leicester also took his own life via shotgun in 1982. He was 67 years old, five years older than Ernest was when he died.
On a side note, Leicester’s daughter, Hilary, put together a delightful book in 2005 entitled “Hemingway in Cuba” about her uncle, Ernest. Both of these books are recommended for anyone interested in Hemingway history.