‘Shot of Short’ #13: The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber

Title: The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber by Ernest Hemingway
Date Read: 17 October 2008
Available Online?: YES
Briefly: Francis Macomber, on an African hunting trip with his wife, attempts to make amends for his cowardice in front of a lion, to win back the favour of his wife, and Wilson – the hired hunter that Mrs. Macomber has taken more than a shine towards.
Afterthoughts: Classic Hemingway! It’s Africa. It’s a hunting trip. And there’s a bit of a love triangle. I have a passion for the ‘to the point’ uncomplicated prose of Hemingway, and this is a fine example. The biggest highlight for me was Hemingway’s description of the lion being taken down, from the lion’s perspective – liquid gold!!
Notable Quote: “…he turned his heavy head and swung away toward the cover for the trees as he heard a cracking crash and felt the slam of a .30-06 220-grain solid bullet that bit his flank and ripped in sudden hot scalding nausea through his stomach. He trotted, heavy, big-footed, swinging wounded lull-bellied, the trees toward the tall grass and cover, and the crash came again to go past him ripping the air apart. Then it crashed again and he felt the blow as it hit his lower ribs and ripped on through, blood sudden hot and frothy in his mouth, and he galloped toward the high grass where he could crouch and not be seen…”

Rating:

*Story read as part of my 100 Shots of Short reading challenge.

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