To Have and Have Not by Ernest Hemingway

Today, Harry Morgan would be termed racist, misogynistic and a bully. To Have and Have Not is a very challenging and difficult book to review in many ways.

This is, of course, very much in contrast to the tourists, the wealthy blow-ins, who appear to have everything, yet have many troubles of their own. Much of the novel is taken up with descriptions of large amounts of alcohol consumption and violence, tying in with the neglect and poverty of the inhabitants. Hemingway depicts the hardship of life for the local residents of Key West and the feeling of emptiness that clings to them as they attempt to make ends meet. Dealing with an illegal trade carries great risks and, in To Have and Have Not, Harry Morgan gets involved with some very nasty people. He charters his boat out for fishing expeditions and, sometimes, the money he earns is sufficient to put food on the table for his wife and kids, but other times luck passes him by and Harry resorts to black market activities to make ends meet. He is angry all the time, with this disillusionment spilling out into his everyday routine. The main protagonist, Harry Morgan, is cynical about all aspects of life. This is reflected in the title of the book where it refers to those who ‘Have’ and those who ‘Have Not’. It is said that Hemingway’s writing was influenced by his experiences during The Spanish Civil War, hence why there is a very strong message throughout To Have and Have Not about the imbalance of society. Hemingway’s record as a creative writer would be stronger if it had never been published.’ On release it received much criticism, with The New York Times (October 1937) stating that ‘Mr. Publication was delayed until 1937 due to Hemingway’s involvement with The Spanish Civil War. Hemingway originally published the first story in 1934 in Cosmopolitan and the second in 1936 in Esquire and subsequently decided to write a novella based on Harry Morgan’s activities. To Have and Have Not is a combination of three stories, all featuring the same character, tough guy Captain Harry Morgan. The edition I have is a Vintage Classic (Penguin Random House), published in 2017, and I was intrigued to discover more. To Have and Have Not by Ernest Hemingway was originally published in 1937.

Hemingway’s hardest hero risks not just his living, but his life. If the money offered is worth his while, Harry will run guns, rum and men to and from Cuba. Although he normally takes out fishing parties, sometimes his boat can be put to other uses. Harry Morgan is a tough guy making his living during the Depression from his motor boat in Key West, Florida.