Tom Jenks on Editing The Garden of Eden

In 1986, twenty-five years after Hemingway’s death, Scribner’s published a coherent portion of his sprawling manuscript called The Garden of Eden. This publication changed the way we view Hemingway’s engagement with gender and sexuality, and remains his most daring novel ever. 

In order to make that novel publishable, Scribner’s called on a gentleman named Tom Jenks to do the editing. Jenks hauled the manuscript home on the New York City subway in shopping bags and began his work, which was one of the most high-profile editorial jobs in the history of American literature.

Jenks joins One True Podcast to discuss his efforts with The Garden of Eden – his editing strategy, assessment of Hemingway’s work, and thoughts about the book’s legacy. Since 1986, Jenks has discussed his Hemingway work only sparingly, so his frank discussion is a rare treat.