Who knew it all began in ...Michigan? This is true. The love between Ernest Hemingway and his first wife, and his truest love throughout his life, Hadley Richardson. Hadley being eight years Ernest's senior was a woman who was up for anything and had no idea the level of her strength. Back then, in 1921, Hadley and Ernest married then moved their lives to Paris. Back then it was very uncommon for people to do so. Even though my great grand parents were also fleeing Italy just a few years later in 1924 :) If only they moved to Paris and buddied up with Hem.. ahh..haha. Ernest and Hadley had no idea what they were about to embark on, a dream, one that I wish I lived with them. They had a major hand in the Paris we know today aka Midnight in Paris, thee movie that made me decide on the spot I wanted to become a Parisian and move to Paris, which I did eight months later. Hadley was very much in love with Hem. It was incredible what she gave up and put aside for his dream of becoming a writer. The support was unconditional, along with her love for him. My heart broke for her when Hem left Hadley for their good friend, Pauline Pfeiffer (Pfife) and married her, Pfife becoming Hems second wife.
The wedding of Hadley and Hem in 1921
(Top two photos) Hem and Hadley's first apt in Paris @ 74 Rue Cardinal Lemoine - they lived on the 3rd fl
To bring it full circle, Rue Picot - where Pfife lived during the affair with Hemingway
The Hemingways became buddies with the Fitzgeralds, Gertrude Stein(also Godmother to their first son John "Bumby"), James Joyce and many more. The Lost Generation was created after Ernest by Gertrude herself. The Hemingways traveled to Spain, Switzerland and all over France together. Sipping cafe's, discussing the art of Picasso and enjoyed life. The Sun also Rises was written by Hem on his travels to Spain and the characters are based on his group of friends, more interesting once you know that (via pic below).
Above, Ernest(far left), to his left Duff aka Brett Ashley, next to Duff is Hadley and Harold another friend and character
A fun caricature of Gertrude Stein and her friend Alice inside their Paris apt (Picasso paintings behind them)
Where Gertrude and Alice lived @ 27 Rue de Fleurus - a few blocks from Jardin du Luxembourg
A memoir was published by Hems 4th and last wife, sadly after he decided to leave us, called A Moveable Feast - another book I can not put down. This is a fantastic book to read following The Paris Wife since it shows both views of the relationship and experiences from Hem and Hadley.
Pic from lifeissweet16. jfklibrary, blog.sfgate and quotinggertrudestein
