On Hemingway’s Girl, Mariella, and Fame: A Discussion
Here at Great New Books, we are reading and discussing author Erika Robuck’s novel, Hemingway’s Girl. And since it’s the 3rd week of the month, we’re having a giveaway for our next month’s book pick for all who leave a comment at the end of this post! Details below. Now, for discussion of our great September book pick, Hemingway’s Girl:
the GNB September Pick
The Effect of Names:
Did any of you notice Mariella’s name as you read? I imagine some of us speak Spanish, like Mariella and her family (I do), and as I read, it occured to me again and again how appropriate Mariella’s name is for her character. Did you catch it, too?
Dissection in Spanish: Mar = Sea, Ella = Girl, and i or y = and
So: Mariella = Sea and Girl, or less literally, Girl of the Sea
As the story goes on, her name becomes more and more a part of her character, her decisions, and the effects her character has on others, including Hemingway.
Q 1: Did you notice any other double meanings with names and characters in Hemingway’s Girl? How did Mariella’s name fictionally effect Hemingway’s future work?
The Effect of Fame:
I loved in last week’s interview when Erika talked about the current-day actors who would play her characters in a movie: Ryan Gosling for Gavin, Camilla Belle for Mariella, and George Clooney for Hemingway himself.
When reading Hemingway’s Girl, I often thought about Mariella and her reactions to Ernest Hemingway. He was famous, wealthy, and quite the ladies’ man. A lot like George Clooney in real life, I think. For a poor Cuban-American girl, it must have been something to interact with Ernest Hemingway on a daily basis.
Here, from the first chapter, Mariella’s impression from when she meets Hemingway for the first time in the novel:
“At his side was Ernest Hemingway, sunburned and smiling from the boat. His dark hair was disheveled from the wind and his white teeth flashed beneath his mustache. She felt a jolt go through her and couldn’t help but smile …”
And later, in chapter four, Hemingway’s effect on Mariella:
“Mariella stepped up to the door of her house with a smile on her face, thrilled to have cash for the family and for her secret stash, and warm from something else, the warmth of belonging. Aside from the fishermen at the dock, she hadn’t felt the goodness of being part of a group in a long time. She’d watched Papa, his friends, and herself reflected in the mirror behind the bar and thought that to any outsider, she looked like she belonged with them. Hell, she felt like she belonged with them…”
What if you were nineteen again, and caught someone like George Clooney’s eye and he asked you to work in his home on Lake Como, ride on his boat with him, go to lunch and on vacations with him. Can you imagine?
Q 2: What do you think attracted Hemingway to Mariella? How do you think Mariella handled her brush with fame? If it were you in her shoes, how would you have handled her situation?
So, we’d love to hear from you — any of your thoughts on Hemingway’s Girl, or anything in answer to the questions raised in Q1 or Q2.
All comments entered below before Tuesday, September 25th will enter you to win a personalized & autographed copy of our October book pick (chosen by you by vote!), Shine Shine Shine by Lydia Netzer. A huge thank you to Lydia Netzer for offering to autograph and personalize the book for the winner! If you help spread the word about Great New Books and Hemingway’s Girl on Twitter or Facebook or by recommending it to a friend, we’ll enter you 2 times in the giveaway (be sure to mention it in your comment). The winner will be announced here next week.
Thanks, and we look forward to hearing your thoughts on Hemingway’s Girl at Great New Books!
Since I don’t know Spanish, I hadn’t picked up on the meaning of Mariella — I love it. I love when characters’ names mean something or symbolize something in their story. And the clearest connection I see with the story is in Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea. Nice symbolism that Erika had Hemingway tell Mariella she was the sea in the book, and it makes it even better now that I know what her name meant. As for why Hemingway was attracted to her? I think it was her fiery temprament and youthful energy — and that she didn’t back down from him — combined with her genuine interest in things (like boxing and fishing and hunting), so unlike most women who were drawn to him by his fame and position.
This is great, Julia! You’re right about Mariella and her genuine interest in things Hemingway liked. And it was great symbolism on Erika’s part, with The Old Man and The Sea, wasn’t it?
Thanks for joining in the discussion!
Thank you, Julia! I loved the line from The Old Man and the Sea: “He always thought of the sea as la mar which is what people call her in Spanish when they love her.” It inspired Mariella.
I think he was attracted to Mariella because of his need to stay connected to “regular people.” While he liked the swanky life, he never wanted to lose touch with the people who populated his stories. (By the way, I say this only from reading Hemingway’s Girl. I really have no background on the actual Hemingway.)
Erika, I’m 30 pages from the end. Can’t wait to get the kids to bed and finish the book. It’s GREAT! Kudos! I sort of you forgot YOU wrote it as I was reading, which is really the highest compliment. I got lost in the story.
I like what you’ve said, Nina — I think Hemingway did like being in touch with the regular people he wrote into his stories. Very thoughtful! Thanks, Nina!
Ah! I’m so happy that you forgot me!! That is a high compliment; thank you!
I’m at about the 70% mark in the book, but one thing I noticed early on was the symbolism in the naming. Hemingway is called Papa, and he also refers to Mariella as “daughter.” Because there are a lot of father-daughter themes/parenting themes in this book, I felt this was brilliant. Not only that, “Papa” and “Daughter” are also connected through the suicide of Hemingway’s father and the fact that Mariella’s father likely died in the same manner.
Exactly, Melissa. The suicide theme runs very strong between Hemingway and Mariella, and throughout the story. Erika wrote a gorgeous piece (that must be read) with regards to the suicide theme, and the tragedy in Hemingway’s life. You can find it at http://erikarobuck.wordpress.com/2012/08/20/suicide-and-redemption/ . Thanks, Melissa!
Thank you, Melissa. It all ties together. It’s almost a little creepy at times, isn’t it? Hemingway had a strangely paternal relationship with younger women, and then he would love them. His two natures seemed constantly at odds in himself.
I speak Spanish and the significance of Mariella’s name totally went over my head—how embarrassing! I should’ve caught that
I think I probably just got too swept up in the story.
As for Mariella, it was wonderful to see her growth as a person, how she goes to being so star-struck by Hemingway to being disillusioned once she saw all his flaws, to finding a way to accept him with all his imperfections, and love him in her own way.
I also felt that Hemingway, though initially attracted to Mariella because he couldn’t have her, grows to care for her because she keeps him grounded. She’s not afraid to call him on his BS or be honest with him.
What great adds, Natalia! Thank you!
I agree. Mariella grew as a person throughout Hemingway’s Girl, and that was particularly evident in her views on Hemingway himself. And, I like how you said that Hemingway felt that Mariella kept him grounded. Absolutely.
As for the name Mariella — I think I’m in a phase where I’m picking up more on names and words and links between root words because of where I live. Czech is a very hard language that uses common roots in many words. I find myself dissecting words on a minute-by-minute basis here in Prague.
But Mariella was a brilliant name for the protagonist. Well done, Erika!
Thanks, Natalia! That’s part of the fun of writing–those little hidden ideas, names, themes… I’m glad if people enjoy the story at face value, or if they want to dig around.
Thank you, Jennifer!!
I didn’t catch Mariella, either. I’m with Natalia on getting swept away! I thought about Mariella’s reaction to Papa and how he made her feel. I felt his fame and notoriety attracted her at first but then she was able to break through and see him for what he really was. Even though he crossed the line with her many times, she steered through with her pride and integrity as her guides. It’s the old saying, “You want what you can’t have.” What I wonder is what if Gavin wasn’t there? Would she stay on the same course? George Clooney would be VERY hard to turn down but it feel like quite an accomplishment (or regret!). I loved Mariella’s strength and forthrightness. She’s a woman I would have liked to hang out with.
Yes, Hallie– I think I’d like to hang out with Mariella, too. She was strong and compassionate, and also very level-headed. What I liked most about her was that maturing process throughout the book where she really did get to the point where she saw Hemingway for who he really was. Thanks, Hallie!
Thank you, Hallie! I would want to hang with Mariella, too, and I don’t know if she would have been able to resist as much if she didn’t have Gavin.
I almost did hang out with Mariella.
I saw a woman at the Catholic Church in Key West who looked EXACTLY how I envisioned Mariella to look, and almost said something to her, but my husband said I might scare her.
What an incredible book. I loved it and, like so many others, was totally swept away. I didn’t think about the significance of Mariella’s name until we come to learn of how Hemingway “used her” in his book.
I agree with sotiknights1 ^^^. I think having Gavin in her life really gave Mariella the strength to resist Hemingway. He also provided a reference point for Mariella, as he was so honorable and good in so many ways, by contrast to Hemingway. Part of what made this story so good for me was the tension between Mariella and both men, the fine line she danced with Hemingway without ever stepping over and her love for Gavin.
You ask how I would have handled the same situation if I was in Mariella’s shoes…likely with not nearly the level of integrity she had. I’d like to answer otherwise, but I think if I was put in that same situation at that same age under those same conditions, I’d have caved (at least just slightly). But then again, with Gavin by my side, perhaps not. If in that position today…an entirely different story (thank goodness).
Great read!
I love how you worded your thoughts in your final paragraph. I think I have to agree with you, personally.
Thank you, Carrie! We’re so glad you enjoyed Hemingway’s Girl! Thanks for reading along with us, and for leaving a comment!
love Mariella the father daughter theme is so strong if not fror gavin would she have had the strength to resist Hemingway?
I think that is a great question, Rhonda. If not for Gavin, what choices would Mariella have made? Great thought! I wonder …
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Thank you, Rhonda! You’re entered twice