Bookclub-in-a-Box Discusses the Paris Wife, by Paula McLain

Ernest Hemingway was an iconic writer of the 20th century who gave modern literature a unique shape and form. Papa Hemingway was larger than life and created his own personal and professional mythical status. He was so powerful and energetic that he overshadowed the people around him. Paula McLain reaches behind the shadow to bring us an intimate portrait of Hadley Richardson, Hemingway's first wife. Hadley, a lovely and talented young woman in her own right, met Hemingway soon after her mother died and was swept off her feet by this handsome, energetic, and passionate young man who was eight years her junior. They married and headed to Paris where they mingled with the likes of Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald and a host of other famous and about to be famous writers, poets, and artists. McLain draws a superb portrait of the Hemingways' magical time traipsing around Europe with their friends. She poignantly demonstrates how their enchanted relationship systematically falls apart. While The Paris Wife treats us to a glimpse of the hidden Hemingway, the man he was before he became the master writer of the century, the more important part of his story is Hadley, his Paris Wife. Bookclub-in-a-Box has created a comprehensive guide to Paula McLain's novel, The Paris Wife, and includes reflections on the personality and perceptions of Hadley Richardson and Ernest Hemingway; Hadley's influence on her husband; Hemingway's progress in breaking into the literary world; and the high life and exciting times of Paris in the 1920s. Every Bookclub-in-a-Box discussion guide includes complete coverage of the themes and symbols, writing style and interesting background information on the novel and the author.