The Paris Wife by Paul McLain

Book Review by Cos Barnes

The book, “The Paris Wife,” by Paula McLain is an intimate glimpse of young Ernest Hemingway from the eyes of his first wife, Hadley Richardson. Quite an accomplished woman in her own right, Hadley proved to be an ideal match for the tempestuous Hemingway in the early years. She was an accomplished musician who grew up with a weak father, who eventually killed himself, an overbearing mother, a critical sister close to her age and two older siblings, one of whom died in a fire.

Pampered and catered to after a childhood accident that did absolutely no damage to her physically, Hadley’s youth was plagued with bad dreams. She lived quietly, so it was somewhat out of character when she married Hemingway after a whirlwind courtship. Destiny led them to Paris where they hobnobbed with the hard-drinking and fast-living “lost generation” that included Gertrude Stein, who was to become godmother to the Hemingway’s son, Bumby; Ezra Pound, F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald and others.

As Hemingway’s writing ability came into full focus, Hadley was the perfect companion, encouraging him, reading his manuscripts and acting the perfect companion for skiing vacations, social excursions and friendships with the Left Bank artists. She was a smart, warm contrast to the modern women of the 1920s. Cheerleader and supporter to the egocentric and talented writer who still suffered the shock and agony of trauma from World War I, Hadley was constant when her husband took off for Pamplona, Spain to run with the bulls and gather information for his writing. The fast life eventually caught up with the couple, and Hadley found herself sharing Hemingway with a mistress. She showed strength and grace when her marriage fell apart, which made me really like this book.