One Sentence Summary:
The Paris Wife: A Novel by Paula McLain follows the tumultuous marriage of Ernest Hemingway and his first wife Hadley, set against the backdrop of the vibrant and volatile city of Paris in the 1920s.
Book Genre:
Historical Fiction
Main Topic of the Book:
The relationship between Ernest Hemingway and his first wife, Hadley, and their time in Paris during the 1920s.
Key Ideas:
- The portrayal of Hadley as a strong and independent woman in a male-dominated world.
- The exploration of the rise of Hemingway’s literary career and the sacrifices and struggles that come with it.
- The idea of the “Lost Generation” and the bohemian lifestyle of expatriate writers in Paris.
- The impact of infidelity and betrayal on a marriage.
- The importance of female friendship and support in the face of difficulties.
Main Parts of the Book and a Short Summary:
- Part 1: Chicago, 1920: The book starts with Hadley meeting Ernest, who is seven years her junior, and falling in love with him at first sight. They soon get married and move to Paris to start their new life together.
- Part 2: Paris, 1920-1922: Hadley and Ernest immerse themselves in the vibrant and bohemian lifestyle of Paris, befriending other expatriate writers such as Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Ernest’s writing career begins to take off, but their marriage starts to suffer due to Ernest’s infidelity.
- Part 3: Paris, 1923-1925: Hadley discovers that Ernest is having an affair with their mutual friend, Pauline Pfeiffer. The tension and resentment between the couple increase, leading to a separation and eventual divorce.
- Part 4: Paris, 1925-1926: Hadley starts a new relationship with a Frenchman, but after seeing Ernest again, she realizes that she still loves him and wants to reconcile. However, Ernest’s relationship with Pauline is now in full swing, and there’s no turning back.
- Part 5: Paris and Pamplona, 1926: Hadley reunites with Ernest in Pamplona, where he is covering the running of the bulls for a newspaper. Despite their best efforts, their reunion does not go as planned, and their marriage ends for good.
- Part 6: Key West, 1926: Hadley visits Ernest at his new home in Key West, but they both know that there’s no going back to what they once had. Ernest goes on to write his breakthrough novel, “The Sun Also Rises,” and Hadley finds peace and fulfillment in her own life.
Key Takeaways:
- The portrayal of the complex and tumultuous marriage between Ernest Hemingway and Hadley Richardson.
- The exploration of the bohemian lifestyle of expatriate writers in Paris during the 1920s.
- The strong and independent character of Hadley, who defies societal expectations and stands by her own values.
- The impact of infidelity and betrayal on a marriage and the importance of trust and communication in a relationship.
Author’s Background and Qualifications:
Paula McLain is an American author best known for her historical fiction novels. She has a Master of Fine Arts in poetry from the University of Michigan and has taught creative writing at various universities. She has also published other novels, essays, and poetry collections.
Target Audience:
Readers interested in the Lost Generation, the bohemian lifestyle of expatriate writers in Paris, and the relationship between Ernest Hemingway and Hadley Richardson.
Publisher and First Publication Date:
The Paris Wife: A Novel was published by Ballantine Books in 2011.