The Golden Age of Paris

Have you ever dreamed of living in another time? Another place? Somewhere where life was maybe a little easier, the clothes were more stylish, and the parties were over the top?

My “Golden Age” (or at least one of them) would be Paris in the 20s – jazz floating through the air, a smooth dance step in every movement, a feeling of excitement in each conversation, and a carefree spirit that believes anything is possible. It was a time for adventure, imagination, and creativity.

My life-long love for Paris recently led me to two things – The Paris Wife by Paula McLain and Midnight in Paris, Woody Allen’s latest film.

Review 1 of 2:

Hadley & Ernest's First Apartment in Paris was on the Fourth Floor of this Building in the Latin Quarter.

The Paris Wife recounts the love affair between Ernest Hemingway and his first wife, Hadley. The story is told from Hadley’s point of view, which provides a unique female perspective into the life and times of one of America’s most celebrated authors and into the expat social scene of Paris in the 1920s. When Hadley met Ernest, he was living with friends in Chicago, readjusting and recuperating after his time as an ambulance driver during World War I, and working as a freelance correspondent for the Toronto Star. After only a few short months, the two married and moved to Paris. In Paris, Ernest and Hadley quickly become part of the lively and impulsive expat crowd – the “Lost Generation” – together with Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and James Joyce. Can you imagine their dinner party conversation?! Well, thankfully, you catch a glimpse of it in McLain’s book.

The dynamics of Hadley’s relationship with Ernest and with the others is what drew me into this story. From my brief study of Hemingway in high school, I remembered that he was known for his womanizing and chauvinistic ways. So to see glimpses of true love and infatuation (mostly based on fact) in his relationship with Hadley softened my resolve against Hemingway. However, as Hemingway tries more and more to fit in to the fast life of Paris – lots of beautiful women, alcohol, and talented competition – you can see him struggle between the richness and excitement of Paris and the traditional values he professes to share with Hadley. For good or bad, I think we all know how that struggle ends for Hem.

Meanwhile, Hadley is struggling to find her own balance between wife, mother, and muse. Not to mention, she has her own hidden ambition and talent to become a concert pianist. Where does that fit into Hemingway’s plan?

The story of Hadley and Hemingway covers a rollercoaster of emotions from wedded bliss and carefree adventure to heartbreak and deception. Both must reconcile their true love for each other, their own ambitions, and Hemingway’s ultimate betrayal. Through it all, The Paris Wife highlights Hadley’s strength and grace during the crises of her marriage and her growing self-confidence pursue her own dreams.

If you’ve ever imagined being part of that Lost Generation or living it up in Paris in the 20s, The Paris Wife is a must read.