Tuesday, May 24, 2011

The Paris Wife

The Paris Wife  By Paula McLain    The telling of the romance and marriage of Ernest Hemingway to his first of four wives, Hadley during the early 1900's. It is the jazz era in Paris, the Hemingways, young ambitious and newly married are part of an art scene with friends such as Ezra Pound and Scott Fitzgerald. Ernest is trying to find his words and although he loves Hadley very much, he often needs to shut her out completely to do this. Their friends are surprisingly forward thinking for this time regarding open marriage and acceptance of their circumstance in their often bizarre romances. Slowly as Ernest is finding his fame the lure of this life is pulling him towards drink and other women. This story is moving, interesting and a bit predictable, only because most readers have heard about the philandering of Hemingway. The writing is excellent as the story played out in my mind. Very much reminded me of Loving Frank, if you enjoyed that one, you will certainly enjoy this. Highly recommend.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand By Helen Simonson   A quiet, sweet, thoughtful well written story about a late in life romance. In a small English village Major Pettigrew and Mrs. Ali, two widowers, find themselves in a most unlikely romance and the opinion of the entire village in an uproar. Throw in a spoiled, selfish son named Roger, a pair of famous Churchill guns, a cultural clash and many a tea time and you have Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. It is a about love, compassion, friendship, desire and loyalty. It is not over until its over and every day is another chance to let go of the rules we have created and abide by and enjoy life to its fullest. A thoroughly pleasurable read.