From the Bookshelf of Constant Reader…

The Paris Wife

Paula McLain

Start date: August 15, 2013

Finish date: September 15, 2013

Discussion: Reading List

Discussion leader: Mary Anne

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Reading List

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What Members Thought

Jun 10, 2013 Pang rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, constant-reader

I must admit, I don't know much about Ernest Hemingway, be his life or books. But this book, told in the voice of Hemingway's first wife Hadley Richardson, is mostly a bore. Hadley comes across as dull and naive. The first third of the book is such a cliche: boy meets girl, girl falls in love with boys, they get married and travel the world, and then their marriage falls apart. Sex is thrown in it more like a gimmick. I get it that the story is based on historical fact, but there's just nothing ...more

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Apr 13, 2012 Sylvia Tedesco rated it really liked it

I enjoyed this book after reading it for a while. The character of Hadley Richardson came very much alive, and to a certain extent, the young Ernest Hemingway. Incidentally, the picture of the stylish woman on the cover couldn't describe Hadley. I looked up pictures on Google Images and she was very down to earth and a natural, healthy beauty. I have never liked the kind of adventure-seeking man I supposed Hemingway to be, so it was no surprise when he moved on to a richer, more sophisticated wo ...more

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Jun 27, 2011 Jeanne rated it liked it

Shelves: 2011-reads

An okay read. Portrayed the lost generation rather well. I am always leary of fiction based on real life. If it becomes my only knowledge of the life of the character, it sort of becomes my truth. Scary that.

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Oct 03, 2011 Debbie Petersen Wolven rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

I had a slow start and even left it on the nightstand for months while I read other books. However, after picking the book up and starting again, I found myself engrossed. I was so drawn into the story that I started dreaming of Paris. This may be because I awoke often in the middle of the night and read a chapter or two, then fell back asleep. The author really understands how to give the reader a feel of time and place.

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Sep 03, 2011 Cathy rated it liked it

A good read and like Woody Allen's movie Midnight in Paris the book detailed a fascinating era in Paris, when the arts scene exploded. I'm conflicted about the author; she didn't seem to embrace Paris and life in the way say, Julia Child did in similar circumstances (landing in Paris because of her husband's work). A good read about legendary times and characters. ...more

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Apr 21, 2011 Kathy rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks

I thought the characters were trite and the story barely there. I don't feel I understand either Hemingway or his Paris wife any better now than before I listened to the book. ...more

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