Before our discussion, we had a very nice dinner at a new restaurant here in Houston in The Heights. Salé-Sucré is a really small place, a bit hard to find and with very little parking, but the French food is authentic – crepes, escargot, boeuf bourguignon. Tres Parisian and a perfect fit for the theme of the book!
McLain’s account about Ernest Hemingway and his first wife Hadley is an intriguing tale, despite the fact that, intentionally or not, it paints Hemingway in a very unflattering light. He was extremely self-centered, reckless about his own life and others’, and unnecessarily ruthless in his drive to become successful. He continually destroyed friendships with the people who helped him, all as a means to achieving fame. It’s actually surprising that he became so successful given that those friends could have retaliated by sabotaging his career.
Hemingway holds court with Parisian expatriate friends. Hadley is on the right. |
Unfortunately, McLain is not the best writer. Sometimes her prose and dialogue seem a little simplistic. The fictionalized biography of Frank Lloyd Wright, by Nancy Horan, is by far a more compelling and gripping story. And while FLW also suffered shortcomings as a husband, he comes across as much more likeable; when we read about his wife’s untimely death, it’s heart breaking. However, everyone agreed that The Paris Wife is still worth reading, especially for its glimpse into the lives of the famous writers and artists that we studied in school and who we continue to find fascinating. The lesson on early twentieth century English literature is instructive in a good way, with background on F. Scott Fitzgerald, James Joyce, Ezra Pound, and Gertrude Stein, to name just a few. Not to mention, we get a peek into the glamour that was Paris in the Roaring 20s.
If you haven’t already seen the movie, check out Midnight in Paris, for a different perspective on this group of literary geniuses.
And here's a blog that focuses exclusively on Hemingway, including background on his books, his travels, and his life, with discussions and interviews with Paula McLain and other writers.
Other reading:
Paris Without End: The True Story of Hemingway's First Wife by Gioia Diliberto.
And here's a blog that focuses exclusively on Hemingway, including background on his books, his travels, and his life, with discussions and interviews with Paula McLain and other writers.
Other reading:
Paris Without End: The True Story of Hemingway's First Wife by Gioia Diliberto.
The book is great! Hemingway's a jerk!
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