Helpful Score: 5
It is not surprising that Nancy Horan enthusiastically endorses this book since it is remarkably similar to her book, Loving Frank, about Frank Lloyd Wright. Both FLW and Ernest Hemingway were driven to succeed at any cost, and both were amazingly oblivious to the needs of everyone in their lives.
Hadley Hemingway was a victim of her obsession with Ernest and lived in his shadow until he tired of her. It is difficult to feel empathy for someone who so willingly subjugated herself to her husband, and I was incredulous about what she endured at the end of their marriage when Pauline became the third member of their marriage.
The seemingly dissolute lifestyle of the generation of writers who lived in Paris during the 1920s was lamentable because their excesses took precedence over their literary talents. I found the recounting of these excesses eventually became tiresome, and I simply couldnt summon much interest in what happened to Ernest or Hadley. Although fictionalized, this book apparently is an accurate reflection of Hemingways first marriage
Hadley Hemingway was a victim of her obsession with Ernest and lived in his shadow until he tired of her. It is difficult to feel empathy for someone who so willingly subjugated herself to her husband, and I was incredulous about what she endured at the end of their marriage when Pauline became the third member of their marriage.
The seemingly dissolute lifestyle of the generation of writers who lived in Paris during the 1920s was lamentable because their excesses took precedence over their literary talents. I found the recounting of these excesses eventually became tiresome, and I simply couldnt summon much interest in what happened to Ernest or Hadley. Although fictionalized, this book apparently is an accurate reflection of Hemingways first marriage
Helpful Score: 3
It was difficult to read this book told from Ernest Hemingway's first wife, Hadley's, experience. Hadley marries Hemingway after a hasty whirlwind courtship (he literally sweeps/dances her off her feet during her first visit to the "big city" of Chicago), but she starts off already counting her own disadvantages. Hadley suspects she's too old, too frumpy, too "dumb" (she is not a writer or artist like Hem and all his acquaintances) for him, and she pretty much puts herself into the defensive position of trying to "retain" Hemingway and keep on being his wife. Not good.
Since this is sort of historical fiction, most of us already know of Hemingway's macho character, his womanizing/drinking ways, and his depression (and ultimate suicide). This is no gentle recount of "Papa" Hemingway, nor is it a fluffy view of his marriage to Hadley. I am not familiar with Hadley nor Hemingway's first marriage but the author does posit that Hemingway did credit his fame (publishing "The Sun Also Rises") to her. To be honest, Hadley lucked out sort of because Hemingway gave her some slack (he mentions her as being the best thing that happened to him, etc... in his memoirs) because I don't feel Hadley would have had it in her to fight Hemingway with a messy divorce.
Worth a read to see the genesis of a lot of Hemingway's books. The bohemian, heavy drinking, partying, loving lifestyle of the Left Bank artists may seem unrealistic to some of us, but this book paints it quite vividly that it is a pleasure to read.
Since this is sort of historical fiction, most of us already know of Hemingway's macho character, his womanizing/drinking ways, and his depression (and ultimate suicide). This is no gentle recount of "Papa" Hemingway, nor is it a fluffy view of his marriage to Hadley. I am not familiar with Hadley nor Hemingway's first marriage but the author does posit that Hemingway did credit his fame (publishing "The Sun Also Rises") to her. To be honest, Hadley lucked out sort of because Hemingway gave her some slack (he mentions her as being the best thing that happened to him, etc... in his memoirs) because I don't feel Hadley would have had it in her to fight Hemingway with a messy divorce.
Worth a read to see the genesis of a lot of Hemingway's books. The bohemian, heavy drinking, partying, loving lifestyle of the Left Bank artists may seem unrealistic to some of us, but this book paints it quite vividly that it is a pleasure to read.
Helpful Score: 3
At age 28, Hadley Richardson is not likely to get married. But she travels to Chicago and meets 21 year-old Ernest Hemingway. A courtship begins via letter, they eventually marry and then move to Paris so that Ernest can pursue focus on his writing.
This story is told from the point-of-view of Hadley, Hemingways first wife, and what their life in Paris during the 1920s was like. While in Paris, they meet and befriend Gertrude Stein and her lover, Alice Toklas, Ezra Pound and F Scott Fitzgerald and his wife, Zelda, among others.
Hemingway is fairly controlling but Hadley grew up with a controlling mother and had been living with her sister, who was like her mother and very controlling with her husband. Neither had happy marriages and Hadley did not want her marriage to be like either of theirs.
Hadley is supportive of Hemingway throughout the marriage and their life is Paris is not easy. They dont have a lot of money and Hemingway often has trouble writing. Then, Hadley becomes pregnant while they were on vacation and she had forgotten her birth control.
It would appear they will get through these struggles until Hadley befriends Pauline, a friend of one of Hadleys childhood friends who is in Paris. Pauline is the first of Hadleys friends that Ernest can tolerate and she starts to join the Hemingways at their home and on vacations. Until Hadley cannot handle the arrangement and demands a divorce.
I enjoyed this book. The writing is beautiful and the story is well-told.
This story is told from the point-of-view of Hadley, Hemingways first wife, and what their life in Paris during the 1920s was like. While in Paris, they meet and befriend Gertrude Stein and her lover, Alice Toklas, Ezra Pound and F Scott Fitzgerald and his wife, Zelda, among others.
Hemingway is fairly controlling but Hadley grew up with a controlling mother and had been living with her sister, who was like her mother and very controlling with her husband. Neither had happy marriages and Hadley did not want her marriage to be like either of theirs.
Hadley is supportive of Hemingway throughout the marriage and their life is Paris is not easy. They dont have a lot of money and Hemingway often has trouble writing. Then, Hadley becomes pregnant while they were on vacation and she had forgotten her birth control.
It would appear they will get through these struggles until Hadley befriends Pauline, a friend of one of Hadleys childhood friends who is in Paris. Pauline is the first of Hadleys friends that Ernest can tolerate and she starts to join the Hemingways at their home and on vacations. Until Hadley cannot handle the arrangement and demands a divorce.
I enjoyed this book. The writing is beautiful and the story is well-told.
Helpful Score: 2
Disappointing. I very likely won't finish it. Too much soap opera. I would have been happier with a historical treatment of the topic than a fictionalized account of the Hemingways' courtship and marriage. I didn't find the dialogue believable. Some have enjoyed this book, it just wasn't my cup of tea.
Helpful Score: 1
4 stars--`This book offered an interesting, insightful look at Ernest Hemingway. Nothing here convinced me he was a charming man, but it does show his drive, determination, and singleness of purpose. He used his experiences to give a stark, gritty realism to his work.
I liked the book very much.
I liked the book very much.
Helpful Score: 1
I won an ARC of this through Goodreads.
(2 stars) Maybe a reader has to be a Hemingway fan to enjoy this book, but I've sometimes found the artist interesting even if I don't give a fig for their art. Sometimes an author has even given me a new appreciation for someone I was previously ambivalent about. This didn't happen here, and I found the prose so flat and uninvolving that I bailed on page 207. It didn't seem worth the time and effort to continue.
It's a straightforward novelization of Hadley Hemingway's life with Ernest. Too straightforward. Most of the time, the research seems to dominate the storytelling, as if the author loves the subject so much that not a detail must be spared. It just felt a bit tedious to be told that Ernest reported for work in Toronto on September 10, and they heard on September 14 that Smyrna was burning in the Greco-Turkish war. There was too much of obsessing with "Who said what, and where" that the actual people in the story had all the dimension of a Wiki article. I didn't know what Hadley looked like (who can keep track of all those wives?), and it's not until quite a ways into the book that we're told of her facial features and hairstyle. It's as if the author assumes the reader is already right there beside her in the Hemingway knowledge and love.
There's lots of cameos by other Lost Generation members, but they have all the substance of cameos. I dunno, I think I'd much rather read non-fiction about somebody than a dull novel that reads like somebody took a biography and added dialogue to it. And that's what this one felt like. So I'd recommend it for the Hemingway fan who wants to read a book with moments where they can exclaim, "They've moved to Paris! Yay, we're at the part where Ernest and Gertrude Stein are falling out! Oh, and now they're meeting F. Scott and Zelda!"
Fine book for those who like that, but not for me.
(Also, there are mega typos in this ARC. They'd better clean that up. It's Bach and Haydn, not Hayden.)
(2 stars) Maybe a reader has to be a Hemingway fan to enjoy this book, but I've sometimes found the artist interesting even if I don't give a fig for their art. Sometimes an author has even given me a new appreciation for someone I was previously ambivalent about. This didn't happen here, and I found the prose so flat and uninvolving that I bailed on page 207. It didn't seem worth the time and effort to continue.
It's a straightforward novelization of Hadley Hemingway's life with Ernest. Too straightforward. Most of the time, the research seems to dominate the storytelling, as if the author loves the subject so much that not a detail must be spared. It just felt a bit tedious to be told that Ernest reported for work in Toronto on September 10, and they heard on September 14 that Smyrna was burning in the Greco-Turkish war. There was too much of obsessing with "Who said what, and where" that the actual people in the story had all the dimension of a Wiki article. I didn't know what Hadley looked like (who can keep track of all those wives?), and it's not until quite a ways into the book that we're told of her facial features and hairstyle. It's as if the author assumes the reader is already right there beside her in the Hemingway knowledge and love.
There's lots of cameos by other Lost Generation members, but they have all the substance of cameos. I dunno, I think I'd much rather read non-fiction about somebody than a dull novel that reads like somebody took a biography and added dialogue to it. And that's what this one felt like. So I'd recommend it for the Hemingway fan who wants to read a book with moments where they can exclaim, "They've moved to Paris! Yay, we're at the part where Ernest and Gertrude Stein are falling out! Oh, and now they're meeting F. Scott and Zelda!"
Fine book for those who like that, but not for me.
(Also, there are mega typos in this ARC. They'd better clean that up. It's Bach and Haydn, not Hayden.)
Helpful Score: 1
Review first published on my blog: http://memoriesfrombooks.blogspot.com/2012/06/paris-wife.html
The Paris Wife is historical fiction. It is a fictionalized account of Ernest Hemingway's first marriage to Elizabeth Hadley Richardson. So, with one google search, you could know what the story of this book is.
I was hesitant to read this book because Ernest Hemingway is such an iconic figure in American literature. A winner of the Pulitzer Prize. A winner of the Nobel Prize. I knew the story of his life and his suicide, but I did not know if I wanted to read the details that a book like this one would bring. I sometimes prefer to keep icons as icons and not deal with their reality as human beings.
However, because the book was my book club selection, I persevered. I am glad I did. I still don't like the characters or the story itself any better. However, I really appreciated the storytelling. Even though I knew what was coming, I got involved with the characters and their emotions. The book is well written, and the story well told. I am looking forward to hearing what the rest of the my book club thought!
The Paris Wife is historical fiction. It is a fictionalized account of Ernest Hemingway's first marriage to Elizabeth Hadley Richardson. So, with one google search, you could know what the story of this book is.
I was hesitant to read this book because Ernest Hemingway is such an iconic figure in American literature. A winner of the Pulitzer Prize. A winner of the Nobel Prize. I knew the story of his life and his suicide, but I did not know if I wanted to read the details that a book like this one would bring. I sometimes prefer to keep icons as icons and not deal with their reality as human beings.
However, because the book was my book club selection, I persevered. I am glad I did. I still don't like the characters or the story itself any better. However, I really appreciated the storytelling. Even though I knew what was coming, I got involved with the characters and their emotions. The book is well written, and the story well told. I am looking forward to hearing what the rest of the my book club thought!
Best book that I've read in years! Inspired me to reread two Hemmingway books
A strong, emotionally charged read. I couldn't put it down. Time and place--along with a complete matched set of emotional baggage-- are virtually characters in their own right, pushing a story that is as much a tragedy as a romance.
This has become one of my favorite books! I loved getting lost into Hadley's world; imagining what it was like to experience the trips she took, the feelings she felt, all while being married to Hemingway.
This is a difficult book for me to rate.
In terms of the story, it's one of the oldest cliches in the book, so to speak: young writer marries woman who gives up her life and identity to support his career; he becomes famous and leaves her for a more image-conscious woman who fits his new vision of himself. The interesting part is that the young writer is Ernest Hemingway, and the narrator is his poor first wife, Hadley Richardson. You meet them, and all their friends: Gertrude Stein; F. Scott Fitzgerald and his "golden girl," Zelda; Ezra Pound; John Dos Passos; and so on. You learn that The Sun Also Rises was based entirely on a true story, except that Hemingway wrote his wife out of it, then gave her all the royalties.
In terms of the writing: on one hand, there is some very good writing here, including some top-notch Hemingway imitations. On the other hand, there are some really tired cliches, and a lot of "he said," "she said." Hadley is an an exasperating Pollyanna at times: was she really that trite, or is this a weakness on Paula McClain's part? Hard to say, but frustrating to listen to.
At any rate, if you are interested in Hemingway's Paris life, you will enjoy at least parts of The Paris Wife.
In terms of the story, it's one of the oldest cliches in the book, so to speak: young writer marries woman who gives up her life and identity to support his career; he becomes famous and leaves her for a more image-conscious woman who fits his new vision of himself. The interesting part is that the young writer is Ernest Hemingway, and the narrator is his poor first wife, Hadley Richardson. You meet them, and all their friends: Gertrude Stein; F. Scott Fitzgerald and his "golden girl," Zelda; Ezra Pound; John Dos Passos; and so on. You learn that The Sun Also Rises was based entirely on a true story, except that Hemingway wrote his wife out of it, then gave her all the royalties.
In terms of the writing: on one hand, there is some very good writing here, including some top-notch Hemingway imitations. On the other hand, there are some really tired cliches, and a lot of "he said," "she said." Hadley is an an exasperating Pollyanna at times: was she really that trite, or is this a weakness on Paula McClain's part? Hard to say, but frustrating to listen to.
At any rate, if you are interested in Hemingway's Paris life, you will enjoy at least parts of The Paris Wife.
This is an excellent story. Hadley marries a young Hemingway.Although, Hadley is older she does not look or act older.Ernest is very controlling, but on of his lifelong regrets is divorcing Hadley. This is an excellent story of their marriage. Ernest is very self centered and he believes life revolves around him. I believe that he caused the break up of the marriage. HADLEY WAS SUPPORTIVE.A TRUE WOMAN OF HER TIME.
An extraordinarily well written book that is an absolute delight. A book to be savored. McClain's style reflects Hemingway's straightforward economy of words to very good effect. Although a piece of fiction, one senses that it is largely historically accurate.
This was an interesting story of how life must have been like for the artistic in the 1920's. A lot was lost on me as I am not familiar with the European places and therefore it was tough for me to get into and I could not read it as fast as I enjoy reading a book. But the story was good, the ending made the entire book. All in all I am glad I took the time to read it.
Don't know when I've enjoyed a book as much as this one. Hated that it came to an end, but of course, we knew the ending even as we read.
With a lot of historic references, this book gives you a possible insight into the life of Ernest Hemingway from the view of his first wife. Most in my book club loved the book and the historical references it included.
This is an excellent story. Hadley marries a young Hemingway.Although, Hadley is older she does not look or act older.Ernest is very controlling, but on of his lifelong regrets is divorcing Hadley. This is an excellent story of their marriage. Ernest is very self centered and he believes life revolves around him. I believe that he caused the break up of the marriage.
This was my book club read for the month of April, which was a lovely discovery for me because Ive had it on my to read list for awhile. I wasnt sure what I was going to think of it, not being a huge Hemingway fan and likewise not knowing a whole lot about him as a person. After reading the book, I dont feel like you need to be a fan of his work to appreciate this take on his first marriage from Hadleys point of view.
I found myself understanding whole heartedly why people would be drawn to Ernest in the beginning he seems very charming and the kind of guy youd like to be around. After a time, he became quite maddening to me, but I can absolutely see why Hadley would have fallen in love with him. Hemingway was quite a decent looking man in his younger days, which makes him all that more appealing when you include the passion he had for writing.
To read the rest of my review, please visit my blog.
I found myself understanding whole heartedly why people would be drawn to Ernest in the beginning he seems very charming and the kind of guy youd like to be around. After a time, he became quite maddening to me, but I can absolutely see why Hadley would have fallen in love with him. Hemingway was quite a decent looking man in his younger days, which makes him all that more appealing when you include the passion he had for writing.
To read the rest of my review, please visit my blog.
I thought the author did a great job of giving the reader the feel of Paris during the Roaring Twenties. I did not know much about Hemmingway coming into this book. It was fun to escape to another place for a while and to see how drastically different the lifestyles of Hadley's family of origin and the "fast set" were.
The story of Ernest Hemingway's first marriage is sufficiently interesting to serve as the plot for a historical novel. The 1920s Parisian setting and supporting cast of "the lost generation" held my attention, but I had a hard time connecting with the narrator, Hemingway's wife Hadley. Considering that Paula McLain has been accused of clinging too tightly to her research, I'm assuming that my complaints have historical basis, but Hadley just didn't seem entirely believable to me. I understand what drew her to Hemingway, but I don't understand why he was equally obsessed with her. Maybe it was her neediness, maybe he saw in her someone who would take care of him and put his needs first. The only clue that it might have been more than that is the bullfighter who becomes enamored of Hadley and her red hair.
A very readable book, that shares a perspective on Hemingway's life that is unusual. I enjoyed learning new aspects of the famous writer's early years, and the story of a young couple struggling to make it.
I thought this was a great book, entertaining, enlightening, so nice to read about Hemingway with accurate historical detail, but from the perspective of his first wife. I highly recommend!
Fabulous read. I didn't want it to end.
Loved this book, a very interesting perspective of the early career of Ernest Hemingway. It, as expected, is sad at times but what a life they lived! Throughout his career Hemingway seemed to travel all across Europe. I'm not sure how much of the book is factual and how much is the author, but either way it is a good read. Would definitely recommend.
I was pleasantly surprised at how good this book is. Being fairly knowledgeable about Hemingway's life in Paris, I was afraid it would be fiction loosely based on known facts. On the contrary, it is a well researched historical novel that only adds clarity to the well known events. It was also poignant and intelligent about the highs and lows of love and relationships. It actually brought me to tears at some points, and I am far from being a romantic. Highly recommended book.
Excellent, very readable story of Papa Hemingway and his first wife Hadley set predominantly in Paris. Follows their romance and marriage and friendship with many of the bohemian artists and authors of the day living in Paris during a decadent age.
Well written, interesting and enjoyable novel about the first Mrs. Hemingway's marriage and life with the author in 20's Paris.
Written from Hemingway's first wife Hadley's point of view. Basically a marriage falling apart, and no one is inclined to try to save it. Not the wife, not the husband, not the 'other woman'. For Hemingway fans, this should be interesting. For everyone else, a cautionary tale.
I liked it. Interesting story of Ernest Hemingway
Hadley is surrounded by strong independent women in bohemian Paris and yet manages to accomplish absolutely nothing! She just sits around waiting for Ernest to give her the time of day or flirt with her friends. Youd think shed learn to grab the bull by the horns from all of the bull fighting she witnessed in Pamplona! I am sure the real Hadley had much more backbone I imagine any woman of Hemingways must have had moxie to put up with his arrogance. I'll continue to read Hemingway's works(no thanks to this book). Had I not read Hemingway in the past, Paris Wife would have completely put me off the idea.
The Paris Wife was a slow read for me because it didn't make me feel like I had to keep reading. With that being said when I finally finished the book I really liked it. The whole story broke my heart and made me happy all at once. If you're looking for a good story that doesn't make you sit on the edge of your seat with anticipation the whole time, pick this up!
This novel tells the story of Hadley Richardson and her marriage to Ernest Hemingway during the 1920s. Hadley, at 28, meets a much younger 21-year-old Hemingway in Chicago which ends up in a whirlwind romance and marriage. At the urging of the novelist, Sherwood Anderson, the couple moves to Paris and become part of the "lost generation" of artists and writers living there. While in Paris, they meet and befriend Gertrude Stein and her lover, Alice B. Toklas, Ezra Pound, and F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife, Zelda, among others. Hadley is supportive of Hemingway and travels with him and his group around Europe including a trip to Spain where Hemingway fell in love with bull fighting and which became the basis of his novel The Sun Also Rises. But Hemingway was Hemingway and could not stay satisfied with being content as a married man. The marriage tragically falls apart when Hadley befriends Pauline Pfeiffer who becomes Hemingway's lover and second wife.
This was a very well written novel that draws you into life in Paris of the 20s and the world of Hemingway and the other ex-patriots living there at the time. I enjoyed it a lot and will now probably read more about Hemingway and some of his novels that I have never gotten around to. I read The Sun Also Rises as part of a college literature class many years ago and remember it being mostly boring but I should probably give it another try. I also have a copy of A Moveable Feast, Hemingway's memoir about his years in Paris, that I should also read. And McLain has written another novel about Hemingway and his third wife, Martha Gelhorn, called Love and Ruin that I'll also be keeping an eye out for.
This was a very well written novel that draws you into life in Paris of the 20s and the world of Hemingway and the other ex-patriots living there at the time. I enjoyed it a lot and will now probably read more about Hemingway and some of his novels that I have never gotten around to. I read The Sun Also Rises as part of a college literature class many years ago and remember it being mostly boring but I should probably give it another try. I also have a copy of A Moveable Feast, Hemingway's memoir about his years in Paris, that I should also read. And McLain has written another novel about Hemingway and his third wife, Martha Gelhorn, called Love and Ruin that I'll also be keeping an eye out for.
My copy of this book, 9780345521316, is exactly the same as this one but the site is showing some bizarre cover (NBC India, cover not available) and has the wrong description for it. It's Ballantine Books Trade Paperback, exactly the same as this one. I know many people are dying for this book -- just wanted you to know that the above ISBN number is exactly the same book as this one. I have submitted edits to correct the misinformation but the site is taking forever to post them...
