Having been to Paris for the first time in my life two years ago, I suddenly became obsessed. I couldn't help but put my hands on all things Paris. So, it was only fitting that when a friend recommended that I read The Paris Wife, I was drooling at the mouth to get my hands on a copy - for the record, I have both the hard copy and ebook versions. The book tells a lovely, yet very unique story from the perspective of Ernest Hemmingway's first wife. It begins in their courtship and then follows their journey to Paris, until the ultimate, one cannot say ending, but rather transformation of their relationship. And no, it's not a spoiler that they don't end up together - that's history already known, people.
Now, it can occasionally be a tough story to take in because of their tumultuous lives, but a story from which you learn an appreciation. Hemmingway's first wife has no problem admitting that the life of the famous isn't always easy, a well-told truth.
And hear me now when I say this, the book will make you want a drink. Seriously. You will want to drink not because of their ups and downs or highs and lows, but actually because there is no getting around the presence of booze throughout the book. Most of their time is spent in cafes drinking - whether morning, noon, or night. Party all day and party all night. So readers, have your liquor cabinet well stocked.
