In the second book in the Hemingway series, J. Michael Moriarty has Ernest Hemingway (now Matt Fitzgerald) return to England for Remembrance Day in 1961. His last visit to London was May 1944, prior to the launch of Operation Overlord and D-Day.
Hemingway’s Return to England is a tale of old memories and new acquaintances which includes meeting four lads in Liverpool who are preparing to rock the world.
Join Matt Fitzgerald (Hemingway) as he travels through England in 1962 with visits to The British Library, Imperial War Museum, Windsor Castle, Runnymede, Hyde Park and Marble Arch, The National Portrait Gallery (Shakespeare’s portrait), Stratford on Avon, the Grand National.
Meanwhile, Matt is still living in Ireland at the Fitzgerald Castle. He befriends playwright John B. Keane and goes to a first showing of The Field in Dublin.
Chapter 9 is “From Beowulf to Shakespeare.”
“I still remember my first paper in English class in high school was on Beowulf . . . . I know it sounds funny, but Beowulf changed my life.”
The old war reporter visits the Royal Observatory in Greenwich and tours the National Maritime Museum which has on display the blood-stained jersey worn by Admiral Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
In the meeting with the Beatles, Matt tells the boys if they have any success they should help save the planet. Who knew the snow caps of Kilimanjaro were melting in 1962? “Just remember, boys, the snow caps are melting there. And in your lifetime the snow may be gone.”
Matt Fitzgerald visits Holy Trinity Church where Shakespeare is buried in Stratford and he is asked to say a few words in tribute. Matt remembers the eulogy Hemingway gave to his hunting friend Gene back in Idaho.
A visit to Liverpool would not be complete without going to Aintree to see the Grand National. Des and Matt join Irish friends to support Irish horse Kilmore, a 28/1 longshot, ridden by the great Fred Winter.
The book ends with a dramatic telling of the time Hemingway spent in the White House before becoming Matt Fitzgerald and going to Ireland.
While there, the president asked Hemingway to tell what he saw at D Day as a reporter. His tale reads like a play or movie.