Ezra Pound was impressed with his poetic abilities and submitted some of Ernest's work to his contacts.Įventually the couple made their way around Europe. Gertrude Stein took the young writer under her wing and became his mentor. Ernest was given letters of introduction to some famous American literary giants living in Paris. That's all Ernest had to hear and it was off to Paris. But a literary contact told Ernest that most American artists were in Paris-it was that city where all the artistic magic was happening. Hadley readily agreed and didn't look back.Īfter they married, they rented a small apartment and saved their money so they could go to Rome. But those fears were all behind her when she received a letter from Ernest asking her to marry him and go to Rome with him. Louis again, the letters from Ernest dropped off. She was elated and soon planned a trip back to Chicago to spend time with her friends - but she hoped that Ernest would take up most of her time. She was stunned when her sister handed her a letter from Chicago - the return address told her it was from Hemingway. He said he would write.īack home, things were just as dreary as when Hadley left. Ernest took her to the train station and kissed her goodbye. After staying two weeks, Hadley was heading home. He wanted to do some important writing some day. She learned that he was writing copy for a tire company but wrote poetry and fiction on the side. But she took no heed and got to know Ernest quite well in the short time she was there. Kate warned Hadley that the young man was quite a womanizer and to stay away from him. She was taken with Ernest even though at 21, he was nearly eight years younger than she. The young, handsome Ernest Hemingway charmed her and danced with her to all hours.

Hadley had a great time the first night that she was there. She had just lost her mother to a long-term illness and she was 'stuck' living in the family home with her mean-spirited sister and her husband who had taken over the house. Louis and made the trip to Chicago to get away from her life there. One of the friends staying there was budding writer Ernest Hemingway. The story begins in Chicago where Hadley had come to visit her friends Kate and Kelsey Smith (sister and brother) who had a large apartment and rented out rooms to friends. 'The Paris Wife,' by Paula McLain, is the story of Hadley Richardson and Ernest Hemingway during the years between 19.

The book the paris wife