This is one of an occasional series in “A Moveable Read” publishing correspondence between Ernest Hemingway and the Oak Park Public Library in Illinois. These letters are being published for the first time.

“Gloomy” Oak Park: Hemingway’s 1949 letter to the Oak Park Public Library

In what becomes a recurring theme in Hemingway’s letters to the Oak Park Public Library, he is frequently invited to visit Oak Park (IL) for a recognition celebration. Each year he turns them down in a friendly way for various reasons. In this case he is working hard on what became Across the River and into the Trees (1950). After publishing For Whom the Bell Tolls, Hemingway had gone through a dry spell in the 1940s in terms of a major novel. (His short story writing was still substantial.) So he was particularly driven to work on this book.

Ed L. Taylor, President of Friends of the Oak Park Public Library, had jokingly enticed Hemingway to come to Oak Park by offering him a martini (hence the reference in the letter).

Hemingway’s “kid brother” was Leicester (Les). Despite what Hemingway writes about him here, their relationship was sometimes affectionate and sometimes strained.

At the end we get a rare glimpse into Hemingway’s psyche as he talks about why he does not visit his hometown. He says it makes him gloomy and then weakly says, “I just sort of skipped it.”

- Craig Mindrum, Ph.D.

[Postmarked]

Villa Aprile

Cortina D’Ampezzo

Italy. Feb 16 1949

Dear Mr. Taylor:

Thank you for the kind, jolly letter and the invitation. I wish I could accept it but am here until April and then have to get back to the farm outside Havana and work. Can't even think about getting up your way until get this book done. It was fine of you and the others to invite me, though, and I certainly appreciate it. Maybe I could just sneak into town sometime and have that dry martini with you and the others. Could bring some British Gordon’s up from Havana as my share.

Dick Marr who was chief of staff of the 4th Infantry Divison [sic] that I used to hang out with in Europe was an Oak Park boy (Col Richard Marr USA) He used to walk home from high school with my sister Ura. You may have known here [sic]. She's out in Honolulu now. The other kids are all scattered. Sunny in Memphis, Marce in Detroit, Carol in Florida, my kid bro. has been all over. Is in Washington now. He came up to the 4th Inf.Div. one time when I was with them in the Bulge fight with some sort of signal corps outfit and got himself transferred to the 4th and stayed with them until it was over. He is a good kid and you would like him.

Old Zupp* came down to Cuba a couple of winters ago and we had a fine time together. I hope we can get him down again.

Between us I was always sort of gloomy about going back after was there to bury my father. It wasn't any lack of loyalty. I just sort of skipped it.

With sincere good wishes to you and to the Friends Of The Oak Park Library.

Your friend,

[signed] Ernest Hemingway

* Old Zupp is probably Bob Zuppke, a coach at Oak Park high school, though before Hemingway's time. Hemingway and Zuppke presumably maintained friendly relations over the years.

Credit:

Hemingway, Ernest. Letter to Ed V. Taylor, February 16, 1949. Ernest Hemingway collection. Oak Park Public Library Special Collections, Oak Park, IL USA.

“Gloomy” Oak Park: Hemingway’s 1949 letter to the Oak Park Public Library

The Hidden Sexual Taboo in Hemingway’s “Soldier’s Home,” Part 2