Questions About The Paris Wife

by Paula McLain (Goodreads Author)

Reader Q&A

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Answered Questions (5)

I loved how the author realized a true genius is very lonely existence. Monogamy, fatherhood and family orientated are not attainable to true artists. Nothing can come before the work/ the creation/ except depression between projects. What do you think?

Cindy Kelly I detest that point of view. Artists are people with the opportunities and challenges that we all have. The attitude that their "genius" gives them a …moreI detest that point of view. Artists are people with the opportunities and challenges that we all have. The attitude that their "genius" gives them a license to cheat, abuse drugs, abandon families .... is romantic but just that. My father was a successful writer. He wrote everyday until months before his death. He wanted to be honored for hard work. People expected that he and his friends to be less than moral and irresponsible. He and those in his circle were insulted by this opinion. He supported his family and did whatever it took. He put up with miserable publishers and wrote boring pieces to pay the mortgage.(less)

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I'm about 1/4 of the way through the book, and I am bored.... does it get more interesting/ should I stick it out?

Ashley Cooprider Glad I'm not alone - I am exactly 27% through, and cannot finish it. Love reading about Hemingway, and Hadley sounds like a lovely person. Sad it didn…moreGlad I'm not alone - I am exactly 27% through, and cannot finish it. Love reading about Hemingway, and Hadley sounds like a lovely person. Sad it didn't work out for her, but she was probably better off without him.(less)

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I looked forward to reading the book every night. The author's story of Hadley in a believable, sad, incomprehensible. I've always been a fan of Hemingway's books...and wonder about the mental health and life struggle of artists generally. The book left me sad...wondering if we can hold out that artists can find happiness in this human experience on day?

Shari Good lord, I know many artists. Not everyone is a “tortured soul.” Hemingway was a mysoginst, a drunk, a philanderer, and a narcissist. An acceptable …moreGood lord, I know many artists. Not everyone is a “tortured soul.” Hemingway was a mysoginst, a drunk, a philanderer, and a narcissist. An acceptable and heroic role for a male in that generation. Let’s not equate poor mental health and bad behavior with “artistry.” That’s a cop out.(less)

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I really liked the book. I don't understand how she could have put up with so much that her husband did to her. And yet, she stuck by him. This kind of story hits a little close to home. Because I know someone that is going through a similar situation, but obviously it is not out in the open. I do no think that I would have been able to have dealt with all the blows that life sent her way. What did everyone think?

Chandra My first thought to the way she handled the situation was, “get a backbone,” but the more I thought about it the more I admired her mental strength. I…moreMy first thought to the way she handled the situation was, “get a backbone,” but the more I thought about it the more I admired her mental strength. I started to empathize with what was happening to her by the one person she loved and trusted possibly the most. I think we need to remember she was the victim in all this and her world was turned upside down. I applaud her for remaining dignified and civil while her heart was being torn out. Personally, I would have been a lunatic, but she rose up started a new life and protected her cherished son in a what could have been a very mentally destructive divorce for the child. (less)

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I'm a little more than half way through this book and I'm dying to ask, why Hadley Richardson? Why was this books written about her and not the other wives of Ernest Hemingway? Is there a theme to the aurthor's writing that begins a series of books surrounding Hemingway's wives?