A Moveable Feast

Synopsis

Hemingway's captivating memoir of living in Paris during the twenties.

'If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast'

Hemingway's memories of his life as an unknown writer living in Paris in the twenties are deeply personal, warmly affectionate and full of wit. Looking back not only at his own much younger self, but also at the other writers who shared Paris with him - James Joyce, Wyndham Lewis, Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald - he recalls the time when, poor, happy and writing in cafes, he discovered his vocation. Written during the last years of Hemingway's life, his memoir is a lively and powerful reflection of his genius that scintillates with the romance of the city.

'A short, perfect book... Exquisite' Independent

'Here is Hemingway at his best' New York Times

Summary

Chapter 1: A Very Short Story

Summary:
Hemingway reflects on his early years in Paris in the 1920s, struggling as a writer and living in poverty. He describes his relationship with his wife, Hadley, and their difficulty in making ends meet.

Example:
"The only thing I wanted to do was write and it was a long, hard pull. Every day I got up and went to the café in the Place de l'Ancienne Comédie and I wrote. Every day from noon until five."

Chapter 2: The Luxembourg Gardens

Summary:
Hemingway reminisces about spending time in the Luxembourg Gardens, observing the people and nature. He describes the beauty of the gardens and the tranquility he found there.

Example:
"The Luxembourg Gardens are one of the most beautiful places in Paris. There are ponds and statues and flowers and trees. And there are children playing and old men reading and women knitting."

Chapter 3: The Grillon

Summary:
Hemingway recounts his experiences living in a cheap hotel called the Grillon. He describes the poverty and squalor he endured, as well as the characters he met during his stay.

Example:
"The Hotel Select is one of the cheapest hotels in Paris. It is on the Rue de la Huchette, which is a narrow street running between the Boulevard St. Germain and the Seine. The hotel is run by a man named M. Béquard."

Chapter 4: Shirt Sleeves

Summary:
Hemingway reflects on his early struggles as a writer, experimenting with different styles and subjects. He describes his determination to succeed despite the challenges he faced.

Example:
"I kept on writing, but I could not get any work published. Not even a short story. I was too modern for the older editors and too old-fashioned for the young ones."

Chapter 5: The End of the World

Summary:
Hemingway describes his relationship with his second wife, Pauline, and the difficulties they faced during the Great Depression. He also discusses the decline of Paris as a literary center in the 1930s.

Example:
"It was the end of the world for me. I had lost my wife, my child, and my home. I had no money and no job. I was living in a cheap hotel in Paris, writing stories that no one wanted to publish."

Chapter 6: A Farewell to Arms

Summary:
Hemingway reflects on the process of writing his novel "A Farewell to Arms" and the impact it had on his life and career. He describes the challenges he faced in writing the book and the satisfaction he felt upon its completion.

Example:
"I wrote 'A Farewell to Arms' in Key West, Florida. It took me a year and a half to write it. It was the hardest book I ever wrote."

Chapter 7: Pauline

Summary:
Hemingway recounts his marriage to Pauline and the challenges they faced together. He describes Pauline's support for his writing and the love they shared despite their differences.

Example:
"Pauline was a beautiful woman. She was intelligent and witty. She was also a writer. We were very much in love."