Mediocre at best

I was thrilled when I first heard that this book was being published, because I am writing my thesis on gender conflicts in Hemingway. I thought this book would be valuable to my discussion, considering the fact that Hem's exploits in Africa play a key part in the thesis. However, I found that True at First Light is yet one more example of the dangers of the posthumous publishing of works. To begin with, Patrick Hemingway's introduction is maudlin and pompous to the point of hilarity. Then,the text does not seem to have a distinct plot or conflict, as is the case with most Hemingway novels. Yes, Hemingway's terse, "tip-of-the-iceberg" writing style is ever-present, but his subtle manner of character development is missing. The novel ends abruptly, without resolving earlier mentioned conflicts that seemed important. This novel certainly does not live up to the classics A Farewell to Arms and The Sun Also Rises. All in all, this book left me with the impression that its publication was just a way to make money, rather than to contribute another gem to the Hemingway canon. Unless you are a wildly avid Hemingway fan, who loves ANYTHING by him, regardless of quality, save your money on this one.