Running with the Bulls: My Years with the Hemingways

Running with the Bulls chronicles Valerie Hemingway's experiences as Ernest Hemingway's secretary during the last two years of his life, followed by her later marriage to his son Gregory. The memoir begins in 1959 when Valerie, then nineteen years old, meets Ernest Hemingway in Spain and becomes his confidante and assistant. The narrative follows Valerie through her time working alongside Ernest Hemingway in Spain, France, and Cuba, documenting their professional relationship and her observations of his final years. After Ernest's death, Valerie's connection to the Hemingway family continues as she becomes involved with Gregory Hemingway, leading to their marriage and life together. This memoir captures a unique perspective on the personal world of one of literature's most significant figures and his family dynamics. Through Valerie's account, readers gain insight into the complexities of the Hemingway family legacy and the impact of Ernest's presence on those in his orbit.

Readers appreciate Valerie Hemingway's unique perspective as both Ernest Hemingway's secretary and daughter-in-law to his youngest son Gregory. Many found value in her insights into the Hemingway family dynamics and her firsthand accounts of Ernest's final years. Readers highlight her clear writing style and balanced portrayal that avoids sensationalism. Several note her compassionate yet honest depiction of Gregory Hemingway's struggles. Common criticisms include that the narrative becomes less engaging after Ernest's death, with some readers finding the latter portions focused too heavily on personal details. A few reviews mention wanting more depth about Ernest's writing process during her time as his secretary. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (324 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (71 ratings) "Offers a fresh perspective on the Hemingway saga without trying to psychoanalyze or judge," writes one Amazon reviewer. Another notes: "The first half reads like a page-turner, but loses steam when describing her later years."

A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway An intimate portrait of Paris in the 1920s through Hemingway's personal accounts of his encounters with other writers and his first marriage.

The Paris Wife by Paula McLain The story of Ernest Hemingway's marriage to Hadley Richardson unfolds through her perspective during their years in Paris among the Lost Generation.

Papa Hemingway by A.E. Hotchner A personal account of Hemingway's final years based on the author's experiences as his close friend and confidant from 1948 to 1961.

Strange Tribe by John Hemingway Gregory Hemingway's son chronicles three generations of the Hemingway family, revealing the complex relationships between fathers and sons.

The Letters of Ernest Hemingway 1907-1922 by Sandra Spanier and Robert W. Trogdon A collection of correspondence that illuminates Hemingway's early life through his own words before his rise to literary fame.

🌟 Valerie Danby-Smith was only 18 when she met Ernest Hemingway in Spain, where she was working as a journalist. He hired her as his secretary, and she worked closely with him during the last two years of his life. 🌟 After Ernest Hemingway's death, Valerie married his youngest son, Gregory Hemingway, making her Ernest's daughter-in-law and ensuring her place in the Hemingway family saga. 🌟 The book reveals intimate details about Mary Hemingway's relationship with Ernest, including their violent arguments and her efforts to control his legacy after his death. 🌟 The author spent significant time organizing Hemingway's papers in Cuba after his death, providing unique insights into his writing process and personal archives. 🌟 The memoir was published in 2004, over 40 years after Ernest Hemingway's death, allowing Valerie time to process and reflect on her experiences with both generations of Hemingways.