Hadley: The First Mrs. Hemingway

by 24 b/w Photographs / Plates (Illustrator)

Hadley was and is no Zelda. She was Ernest Hemingway's first wife and she existed chiefly by proxy -- contentedly submissive to both his tastes (whether skiing or bullfighting) and work which she placed above her own demands or those of their child (she had him when Ernest was off on a job). A shy girl, encouraged to enjoy ill health by her family, she turned out to have far more stamina than anyone suspected, following Ernest ""into the fullness of an extraordinarily vital world"" -- Paris (Pound, Stein, the Fitzgeralds, et al), back to Canada, and Paris again where she gave him up -- equally acceptantly -- to Pauline. The author has told her story from existing correspondence and some relatively recent interviews (the '70's) and it serves as a memento rather than a memoir.

Genres: Biography

111 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1973

Reviews

[Jencoon989 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This really did feel more like answers to questions asked by the interviewer strung together than a book but it was interesting nonetheless! If you are a huge Hemingway fan, it’s definitely worth a read.

[TC · Rating 1 out of 5]

This reads like a school term paper, or maybe a really long article in a dry academic journal--a quick summary of facts, places, conversations, impressions, and the like, told in chronological order, but without much background, exposition, or emotion. Numerous names and places are thrown around, and if you don't happen to recognize them, there's not much help for you. Clearly the author assumed her audience were already scholars of not only Hemingway, but of the entire Paris left-bank art crowd. If you've read A Moveable Feast, you'll spend a fair amount of energy trying to place Hemingway's narrative of that time into this one, and probably without much luck.

The author conducted a number of personal interviews with Hadley in the very early 1970's; before the decade was over, she had died. I can only hope the complete notes of these conversations still exist somewhere, and were either referenced in Gioia Diliberto's biography (which I have not read), or can be used someday as the basis of a more capable and engaging treatment of this interesting woman and her transformation from sheltered Midwestern wallflower to worldly artistic muse, as the first wife of Ernest Hemingway. Until then, unfortunately, this is what we have.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very sweet, short book. After reading 'The Paris Wife', I was curious to learn more about the first Mrs. Hemingway. This book is based on Hadley's letters to her husband, along with interviews. The book is slightly biased, in the sense that it portrays Hadley very positively - she never acts the jealous wife, and any fights with Hemingway are discussed minimally. As a matter of fact, the whole issue of their divorce and 'bizaare love triangle' are covered only over a chapter or two, while most of the book is devoted to their married life.

One thing though, she didn't seem bitter, which does seem to have been a problem with his later wives. And both she and their son went on to happier, better adjusted lives than they probably would have had with Hemingway. This is an interesting little book (that contains quite a few typos - spelling errors) that's worth checking out if you're interested in Hemingway's Paris days, or getting to know more about his early life.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like a few other reviewers, I read this after reading the Paris Wife, and was curious about Hemingway's first wife. And also as one reviewer stated, it was reminiscent of a term paper, but I did enjoy it very much regardless. I kept reminding myself that it was written a long time ago (published in 1973) about a time even longer ago - we are so far removed now from both that it's easy to judge the way of things back then. I was impressed with the woman that was Hadley -- that she could hold no malice towards Earnest after being cast aside 'for a newer, younger model' (who was also her friend), shows a strength and tenderness of heart that is not commonly found.

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a biography on Hadley Hemingway during the years she was married to Ernest. It is a very short book, and you can get the same information from the book "The Paris Wife." For as much time as Alice spent with Hadley I would have expected more in depth descriptions of how Hadley really felt during this time. At the very end it briefly touched on Hadley's relationship with Paul Mowrer.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

After reading The Paris Wife I wanted to find out more about the first Mrs Hemingway. While the novel glorifies her character, this book makes her seem boring and weak. I did like the cover and the musty book smell that my Nook cannot replicate.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book about Hadley extremely interesting. She was a great supporter of Hemmingway and he took advantage of her trust and naive nature. This book did a great job of outlining her life with her mother, which was difficult, and her life in Paris and afterwards.

[Norma]

hadley is definitely my favorite mrs. hemingway. so sad how it ended with her and hemingway, but she ended up very happy. so i guess it was for the best.

[Reba · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather interesting. Yet another little piece of the Hemingway puzzle. Almost ready for the Paris Wife now.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very rewarding biography of Hadley Hemingway Mowrer, first wife of Ernest Hemingway.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Better books out there on Hadley. Although this one had a few tidbits others didn't have.