Plot Summary

True At First Light

Ernest Hemingway
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True At First Light

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1999

Book Brief

Ernest Hemingway

True At First Light

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1999
Book Details
Pages

320

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Kenya • 1950s

Publication Year

1999

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

True at First Light by Ernest Hemingway chronicles a safari he undertook with his fourth wife, Mary, in East Africa during the 1950s, amid the Mau Mau rebellion. As Ernest manages a camp with the help of local scouts, Mary seeks to hunt a lion. The narrative blends travel journal elements with fictionalized memoir, interspersed with Hemingway's reflections on writing, colonialism, and cultural conflicts.

Mysterious

Contemplative

Emotional

Adventurous

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

3.7

3,425 ratings

46%

Loved it

36%

Mixed feelings

19%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

True At First Light by Ernest Hemingway is a posthumously published semi-fictional memoir that has polarized critics. The evocative African landscape and Hemingway's introspective prose are praised, but the narrative's disjointed structure and uneven pacing draw criticism. Overall, while offering valuable insights into Hemingway's life, the book may not captivate all readers.

Who should read this

Who Should Read True At First Light?

A reader who would enjoy True At First Light by Ernest Hemingway is likely an aficionado of semi-autobiographical novels that blend fiction and memoir. Ideal for fans of Hemingway’s signature style, it appeals to those who appreciate the introspective adventure and reflective narrative found in books like Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen.

3.7

3,425 ratings

46%

Loved it

36%

Mixed feelings

19%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

320

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Kenya • 1950s

Publication Year

1999

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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