Title: The Paris Wife
Author: Paula McLain
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Publication Date: February 22, 2011
Hardcover: 336 pages
ISBN: 978-0345521309
Genre: Historical Fiction
From the Publisher:
A deeply evocative story of ambition and betrayal, The Paris Wife captures a remarkable period of time and a love affair between two unforgettable people: Ernest Hemingway and his wife Hadley.
Chicago, 1920: Hadley Richardson is a quiet twenty-eight-year-old who has all but given up on love and happiness—until she meets Ernest Hemingway and her life changes forever. Following a whirlwind courtship and wedding, the pair set sail for Paris, where they become the golden couple in a lively and volatile group—the fabled “Lost Generation”—that includes Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, and F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald.
Though deeply in love, the Hemingways are ill prepared for the hard-drinking and fast-living life of Jazz Age Paris, which hardly values traditional notions of family and monogamy. Surrounded by beautiful women and competing egos, Ernest struggles to find the voice that will earn him a place in history, pouring all the richness and intensity of his life with Hadley and their circle of friends into the novel that will become The Sun Also Rises. Hadley, meanwhile, strives to hold on to her sense of self as the demands of life with Ernest grow costly and her roles as wife, friend, and muse become more challenging. Despite their extraordinary bond, they eventually find themselves facing the ultimate crisis of their marriage—a deception that will lead to the unraveling of everything they’ve fought so hard for.
A heartbreaking portrayal of love and torn loyalty, The Paris Wife is all the more poignant because we know that, in the end, Hemingway wrote that he would rather have died than fallen in love with anyone but Hadley.
My Review:
Being a fan of the works of Ernest Hemingway I could not pass up the chance to read a fictionalised account of his first wife, Hadley Richardson, and I was not disappointed. The Paris Wife by Paula McLain gives the reader a look into Hadley Richardson’s life, and while fictional, McLain relies on biographical accounts to make her story as historically accurate as possible while still maintaining her creative license to bring forth the many larger than life characters who lived in the 1920s. Told through the voice of Hadley the reader will learn about her childhood, Hemmingway’s, and how they appear on the surface to be a perfect match for each other. Hadley supported his endeavours, encouraged Hemingway and moved with him to Paris where they lived an emotionally charged life together. There is so much more I would like to share, but then what would be the point of reading the book, and it should be read. McLain brings to life the 1920s and the up and coming expatriates living in Paris, their lifestyles, and habits. At times it seems as though life is one big party, which is not really a surprise considering Fitzgerald’s work, The Great Gatsby, so much rings true for those living this life in Paris. For those unfamiliar with Hemingway’s works, I strongly encourage they be read, beginning with The Sun Also Rises, as it is one he works on while with Hadley. McLain quickly draws the reader into this story and its cast of characters and their nicknames, into a world, which would be difficult to fathom, if not for McLain’s use of vivid imagery and eloquent prose. After reading The Paris Wife, I realised this book would make for a lively discussion group choice. I found myself torn between Hemingway and Hadley, no I did not agree with his behaviour but I realised I was allowing him more freedom than I would a fictional character. Maybe I was the only Hemingway fan to feel this way, I may never know. What I do know for certain is that I would without doubt recommend The Paris Wife to all readers and book discussion groups.
PAULA MCLAIN was born in Fresno, CA in 1965. After being abandoned by both parents, she and her two sisters became wards of the California Court System, moving in and out of foster homes for the next 14 years. Eventually, she discovered she could — and wanted to — write. She received her MFA in poetry from the University of Michigan in 1996, and since then has been a resident at Yaddo and the recipient of fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts. She is the author of two collections of poetry, a much-praised memoir called Like Family (Little Brown, 2003), and one previous and well-received novel, A Ticket to Ride. Paula McLain lives in Cleveland, OH with her family.
For more information please visit Kath Russell at her website or blog.
Paula McLain’s THE PARIS WIFE VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR ‘11 officially began on March 1st and will end on March 25th. Visit here during the month of March to find out more about this great book and talented author!
I received a complimentary copy of The Paris Wife by Paula McLain from Pump Up Your Book Promotion as part of the tour. Receiving a copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.
Thanks for the wonderful review of Paula’s book. This is the first review of the tour, so I was eager to read your thoughts. I’m scheduled to read it at the end of the month.
The Great Gatsby was a book I hated in high school, and I haven’t given it another go around yet to see if my opinion has changed. I wonder if that will impact my enjoyment of The Paris Wife.
Thanks again for the great review. I hope your readers check this one out.
Cheryl
I do not think it will impact the story at all. I just found it reminded me of The Great Gatsby; the parties, the nick-names, the haves and have nots…then again I always have enjoyed The Great Gatsby. I was shocked when 2 out fo my 3 sons did not enjoy it. It is one of those books I assumed everyone would love.
The Paris Wife is truly fascinating, to see through the eyes of Hemingway’s first wife (he had several) and what she endured. I left a lot out of my reviews as I want the reader to let the story unfold naturally. I kept wondering if my views were not as open as they might have been if I had not been such a huge fan of Hemingway, Fitzgerald, etc.
I can’t wait to read this book!
Please let me know what you think of the book.
I’m a huge fan of Hemingway too, and have been anxiously awaiting this book! (Tracking says it gets here tomorrow.) I was excited to read your thoughts, and I will be certain to let you know what another Hemingway fan thought of his behavior as told through Hadley’s fictional eyes.
I love his art so much, it may cloud my perception; but I also recognize that he was a shoddy individual, and husband, in many ways. I’m very excited to see this treatment of him, and her.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts of the book. Happy reading!
I’m really anxious to read this book. It sounds like something I would love.
It was a lot of fun to read and I felt as tough I was there with some of the greats in literature.
A Moveable Feast is probably my favourite Hemingway book. It is both lovely and melancholy in its telling of those Paris years with Hadley. After reading it I felt, I remember, so sorry for them both; there seemed no doubt they both loved each other very much. Thank you for the reminder to pick up The Paris Wife, which will, I expect, afford an interesting complement to A Moveable Feast.
Oh yes indeed! I do so enjoy his books.
Glad you enjoyed the book. I have it on hold at the library. Wonder how long it will take for a copy to get to me.
Hopefully it will not take too long, it is a rather quick read. Enjoy!
This is one book that I would have loved to have received! Thanks for the post.
It is an excellent book to spend an afternoon with.
Thanks for the awesome review. I have this on hold in my library …. I hope I like it just as much as you did
I hope so as well. I would very much like to hear your thoughts on the book.
I read many of Hemingway’s books years ago and want to re-read some. I was a little wary when I read the synopsis of this book knowing that Hemingway’s life with his first wife was exciting and like a roller-coaster ride…not surprising since he was an extremely intelligent and talented man but also tortured. I was thrilled to discover that this book is receiving rave reviews! I hope to read it around the same time as I reread some of Hemingway’s great works. I think I understand when you say that you were allowing Hemingway more freedom than you would a fictional character. He was an amazing, interesting man who wrote brilliant work and was terribly hurt by his first love. It would be hard not to be understanding even knowing he wasn’t being a good husband!
Great review!
Exactly Amy! I would very much like to hear your thoughts on this book when you read it.
Oh that does sound good!
Sheila, it was a lovely book and quite intriguing and one that does not take long to read. As a Hemingway fan I adored it and it made me wish I was in Paris.