debi_g's review against another edition
4.0
Ms. McLain (and any faction writer) has more courage than I. Not only did she leave her safe teaching position to write, but she undertook the daunting challenge of fashioning actual events and lives into compelling prose while carefully avoiding the trappings of biography.
The lives of authors and the way of life in the 1920s have always appealed to me, so this book suits my bent. I was afraid the book might come across as stuffy, but the voice is entirely approachable and intimate without sounding gossipy. I did often wonder how many liberties had been taken, but ultimately decided that giving breath to an old life was worth any necessary compromises.
I would enjoy talking with others who've read The Paris Wife.
The lives of authors and the way of life in the 1920s have always appealed to me, so this book suits my bent. I was afraid the book might come across as stuffy, but the voice is entirely approachable and intimate without sounding gossipy. I did often wonder how many liberties had been taken, but ultimately decided that giving breath to an old life was worth any necessary compromises.
I would enjoy talking with others who've read The Paris Wife.
dcmr's review against another edition
4.0
Engaging "insider" peek at the lives of famous writers. As a literary voyeur, this story appealed to me. And as a poetry appreciator, I appreciated the fluid, evocative prose.
tammyw14's review against another edition
4.0
I strongly debated about giving this one 5 stars. Normally, I only give 5 stars to books that I plan to re-read at some point, and I can't say that about this book. I really, really enjoyed it--but once is enough. That much said, I was so impressed by what the author did here that I was tempted to break my own "rule." I love how she did not try to compete with Hemingway's "A Moveable Feast." She used it as inspiration, but remained true to Hadley's voice. I was inspired by Hadley's efforts to become a modern woman in rapidly changing times without losing her core values.
abikennedy's review against another edition
3.0
Good book. Made me much more interested in Hadley Hemingway and her life with Ernest. Was a little slow at first but still intersting. Once I got about halfway through I wanted to keep reading.
mcbethnz's review against another edition
3.0
Not a big fan of Ernest Hemingway but interesting to read of the 20's lifestyles
lbb00ks's review against another edition
I really enjoyed learning about Hemingway's development as a writer and his own character development and first marriage through the perspective of his interesting first wife, Hadley. I wished I didn't have the few chapters in his perspective, I guess, but I understand why the author included them. Very interesting, and great pacing. I liked the style of the book, with its short, punchy chapters, and now, of course I have to go back and reread The Sun Also Rises!
ablotial's review against another edition
3.0
Wasn't sure I'd like/understand this since I have never read any Hemmingway and know nothing about his personal life, but I'm enjoying this so far. Hard to remember these were real people!
hollireads's review against another edition
2.0
Very well written. The author gave Hadley a voice and the story was engaging and interesting. It did make me learn more about Hemingway than I had ever had interest to learn. It also made me dislike Hemingway in many ways by the end.