The Paris Wife by Paula McLain

A Book Club Discussion -

Are you a fan of Ernest Hemingway?  If so, this book is a must read.  It's the story of Hemingway's courtship and marriage to Elizabeth "Hadley" Richardson, his first wife.  Though it's fictional, long and careful deliberation when into the research behind this novel so that it sticks closely to the actual events and turmoils the couple went through in the five years they were together.

Ernest Hemingway was in his early twenties when he met slightly older Hadley Richardson in Chicago.  She had traveled from St. Louis to visit friends.  Their meeting sparked a letter writing period between the two, eventually leading to a proposal and marriage.  The dream launching his writing career quickly moved them abroad to Paris. 

You would think that living in Paris would be full or romance and culture but sadly, this story was not.  It was full of many delicious characters, those full of life and conflict.  You meet many artists in this story including Ezra Pound, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Gertrude Stein.  Fairly quickly, you discover that Hemingway was a selfish and egotistical man who needed to be surrounded by fans more so than friends.  He was a manic-depressive, hard core drinker, and philanderer.  In fact, all the characters were hard core drinkers - every night out on the town, the alcohol flowing freely so as to deaden all pain and scruples for the moment.

While the couple remained on tight a income, living in shabby apartments, they were able to travel throughout Europe for months a time, arranging constant care for their young son Bumby along the way.  They used interesting nicknames for one another throughout the pages, but they weren't enough to save the relationship.  Ernest needed Hadley.  Hadley need Ernest.  However, their relationship seemed doomed from the beginning.

I highly recommend reading this book.  It's full of historical and personal insights into this famous couple.  Though it starts off slowly, it picks up speed and you'll be turning the pages fairly quickly.  I felt as though I grew both personally and professionally by diving into the meat between the covers.  Pick up a copy today and see for yourself.