Unpublished Short Story by 'The Old Man and the Sea' Novelist Hemingway Released

Ernest Hemingway

[Asia Economy Reporter Seomideum] An unpublished short story by American novelist Hemingway, famous for "The Old Man and the Sea," has been revealed.

According to The New York Times (NYT), Pennsylvania State University recently discovered four short stories and personal notes while organizing materials left by Hemingway.

Among them, the most eye-catching is a story about a rookie boxer who struggles so hard in a match that his nose is broken and black bruises form around both eyes, but ultimately wins. The protagonist is named after F. Scott Fitzgerald, the author of "The Great Gatsby."

In fact, Hemingway was close friends with his contemporary writer Fitzgerald. However, their relationship later deteriorated, partly due to a boxing match. In 1929, Hemingway lost by knockout after losing strength in a boxing match against Canadian novelist Molly Callahan, and Fitzgerald, who was in charge of the match, granted an additional one-minute round. Hemingway reportedly harshly criticized Fitzgerald, blaming him for his defeat.

Kirk Curnutt, a Hemingway expert and professor at Troy University, commented on this short story, saying, "It seems to mock Fitzgerald's lack of physical ability," and explained, "Hemingway likely felt he surpassed Fitzgerald both in literary talent and physical skill."

Additionally, Pennsylvania State University released a novel satirizing President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal policy and a three-page note written in 1926 reflecting on death and suicide. Since it reveals Hemingway's state of mind before his suicide in 1961, it has attracted attention.

The disclosed materials were originally found in a bar Hemingway frequented during his lifetime and were stored in a warehouse for decades. They came to light after Pennsylvania State University purchased them from the family late last year.