Ernest Hemingway: The Most Marketable, Tourism-Ready, Drunk Writer

Ernest Hemingway: The Most Marketable, Tourism-Ready, Drunk Writer

November 29, 2009, 1:13 pm
Filed under: Uncategorized

Ernie and Cat, originally uploaded by spraynardkreuger.

Does it seem odd that Ernest Hemingway, early twentieth century literary powerhouse and alcohol enthusiast, is every Dad’s favorite guy? Something about Ernie’s rugged, outdoorsy persona makes big game fishermen and Cabela’s shoppers weak at the knees. ”Pappa” is also a boon for tourism bureaus. The Florida Keys, Northern Michigan, everyone wants a piece of Ernest’s grizzled essence. Makes me wonder how many daddly guys who go to Sloppy Joe’s and buy a t-shirt have even read “Hills Like White Elephants,” or any book for that matter.

Lucky vacationers can even take tours to see where Hemingway lived, loved and boozed. Take the Key West Ernest Hemingway tour, for example. The kiddies will love the three legged cats and older teens will love anecdotes about drunken nights and womanizing. It’s interesting to me that Ernest Hemingway is such a bankable commodity. Not many modern writers have riled up enough popularity to remain a cultural meme decades after their deaths. Lucky Ernie even gets to be the centerpiece for many marketing and merchandise schemes.

Why not give your favorite relative a t-shirt, coffee mug or any other number of gifts featuring our dead pal from the annals of Lost Generation literature. Forget the books, who needs those.

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