Hemingway spent fifteen years working on "The Garden of Eden" and it was
published twenty-five years after his death.
Perhaps this novel was more
difficult for him to write than his other novels. It certainly is different. The
novel begins as David Bourne and his new wife, Catherine, are on a long
honeymoon in Europe. Naturally, David Bourne is a writer. There are three
main characters in the novel, David, Catherine, and Marita, the girl who
becomes the third person in their love relationship. In the beginning of the
novel, Catherine appears to be a
typical woman in love with her husband. The
hint that there is something wrong with her arises when she wants takes on
the role of a boy during their lovemaking. It is soon evident that this is not
just a game that she plays, but a psychological problem. Meanwhile, David is
anxious to return to his
writing, but is hesitant because it will take time away
from Catherine. Catherine grants his permission to write. During one of her
phases of role playing as a boy, Catherine goes out and brings back Marita
for them to share. It doesn't take long for David and Marita to fall in love
with each other and new psychological problems arise. David uses his writing
as an escape from the crazy life he is living and also to sort out his feelings
for his father. Often it is a struggle to write, but it is the only thing that keeps
him sane. It is apparent that Catherine is just as jealous of David's work as
she is of Marita. The novel unravels as it becomes clear that the three way
relationship isn't going to work out. This is not a typical Hemingway novel,
although we are witness to an elephant hunt in Africa through David's
eyes.