Ernest Hemingway: The Life and the Legend

On a fishing trip at age three, Ernie snagged the biggest catch--perhaps even then recognizing the power of a good ``fish story.'' The adult Ernest wrote of various pursuits during his itinerant experience in Italy, China, Paris and Cuba. His ``tough guy'' life--evidenced by a lifelong penchant for bullfights, womanizing and African safaris--assumed epic proportions through his writings. In line with current adult Hemingway biographies, Lyttle attempts to tame the legend and reveal the real man to a young audience. The book succeeds in its thoroughness and approachable style; it fails as a compelling story because of overwhelming details. Lyttle's spare, reportorial prose (reminiscent of Hemingway's own) sprays out events like a machine gun. Too many characters, places and literary works--along with repetitious mention of injuries, recurring colds and dark moods--prove confusing. However, the book serves as a meticulous overview of an extraordinary life. Ages 12-up. (Apr)