What do you think?
Rate this book
Unbelievable Happiness and Final Sorrow: The Hemingway-Pfeiffer Marriage
It was the glittering intellectual world of 1920s Paris expatriates in which Pauline Pfeiffer, a writer for Vogue, met Ernest Hemingway and his wife Hadley among a circle of friends that included Gertrude Stein, F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Dos Passos, and Dorothy Parker. Pauline grew close to Hadley but eventually forged a stronger bond with Hemingway himself; with her stylish looks and dedication to Hemingway's writing, Pauline became the source of "unbelievable happiness" for Hemingway and, by 1927, his second wife.
Pauline was her husband's best editor and critic, and her wealthy family provided moral and financial support, including the conversion of an old barn to a dedicated writing studio at the family home in Piggott, Arkansas. The marriage lasted thirteen years, some of Hemingway's most productive, and the couple had two children. But the "unbelievable happiness" met with "final sorrow," as Hemingway wrote, and Pauline would be the second of Hemingway's four wives.
Unbelievable Happiness and Final Sorrow paints a full picture of Pauline and the role she played in Ernest Hemingway's becoming one of our greatest literary figures.
Pauline was her husband's best editor and critic, and her wealthy family provided moral and financial support, including the conversion of an old barn to a dedicated writing studio at the family home in Piggott, Arkansas. The marriage lasted thirteen years, some of Hemingway's most productive, and the couple had two children. But the "unbelievable happiness" met with "final sorrow," as Hemingway wrote, and Pauline would be the second of Hemingway's four wives.
Unbelievable Happiness and Final Sorrow paints a full picture of Pauline and the role she played in Ernest Hemingway's becoming one of our greatest literary figures.
- GenresBiographyNonfiction
391 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2012
22 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 16, 2012
I really didn't know much about Hemingway's personal life, and I still have not read his books, although I will probably pick one up, after reading this biography. I wanted to know more about Pauline Hemingway, as her family lived in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Pauline only lived here (in Parkersburg, IA) until age 6, when the family moved to St. Louis, so she didn't have any ties to this area. I had never seen a book about Pauline before, and I really enjoyed this one. She was born the same year as my grandfather (1895) and I kept thinking about how her rich lifestyle was so very, very different, as my grandfather was very poor. She lead quite an interesting life, and was always traveling, and had several homes at her disposal. I believe that Hemingway wanted her, for her families money, and the fact that she was a very good editor. It seems strange now, how she would leave her children for months at a time to follow her husband on his latest adventure, such as going to Spain, or on an African safari. In some ways I felt sorry for her, since Hemingway left her for another woman, but then, she could have done more with her life, if she chose. They lived during a critical time in world history, and it was interesting to see how they fit into this world. I would recommend this book to others interested in Hemingway.
January 30, 2018
This book is fantastic. Hawkins research is so thorough that this work puts her into the big leagues of great biographers.
This is a story about Hemingway's least talked about of wives and shows that she has a deeper side than literary myth paints her, as the husband stealing vixen.
Pauline had her own life before meeting Hemingway. They met while living in Paris when Hemingway was still married to his first wife Hadley. At the time, Pauline was a writer for Vogue in Paris. Born into a wealthy American family, Pauline lived a glamorous life in Paris. She hung around with artists and writers and Ernest Hemingway and his wife were among the group.
Hawkins explains the specifics of Pauline and Ernests love affair in a way that popular loar seems to skip over. She explains that when Hadley famously says she will only give Hemingway the div0rce if he and Pauline go 100 days without seeing each other--they agree--although halfway through Hadley ,on her own accord, breaks the agreement. What people don't know,is that Pauline's guilt for breaking up this marriage and hurting her friend causes her to still wait until even after the 100 day mark to see Ernest.
The book explains that rather than a seductress, she was romantically inexperienced and didn't have much experience with men. A young Pauline wasn't equipped to fend off the handsome and notoriously charismatic Hemingway and fell in love almost like a schoolgirl.
Throughout their marriage she stayed in love with Hemingway. Although Hemingway famously looked on his first wife as the personification of saintly virtue, he still told his son with Pauline that he "never loved anyone as much as I did your mother."At first Ernest and Pauline were cockied in love. They were not just lovers but partners. Pauline played a major part in Hemingway's writing and was his best editor (per Hemingway's own accounts.) His time with Pauline was the most successful writing period in his life.
But in the end, Hemingway took off to report on the Spanish Civil War and he and Pauline would go months at a time apart. Likewise, he went off to the Spanish Civil War with a young blonde journalist, Martha Gellhorn.
This was the beginning of the end but Hawkins does not end the story there. She goes on to explain that Pauline had a life after Hemingway. Although she never married again, she had a life. It's important to remember she was still a wealthy socialite. Pauline probably died with a broken heart but she did not die of one.
This is a great read. It is not just about Pauline but there is much biographical information on Hemingway that I have never read in other works. Even if you are not a Hemingway fan, but enjoy nonfiction or biographies you'll love this. You'll be impressed with the detail of the research and the sophistication of the writing.
This is a story about Hemingway's least talked about of wives and shows that she has a deeper side than literary myth paints her, as the husband stealing vixen.
Pauline had her own life before meeting Hemingway. They met while living in Paris when Hemingway was still married to his first wife Hadley. At the time, Pauline was a writer for Vogue in Paris. Born into a wealthy American family, Pauline lived a glamorous life in Paris. She hung around with artists and writers and Ernest Hemingway and his wife were among the group.
Hawkins explains the specifics of Pauline and Ernests love affair in a way that popular loar seems to skip over. She explains that when Hadley famously says she will only give Hemingway the div0rce if he and Pauline go 100 days without seeing each other--they agree--although halfway through Hadley ,on her own accord, breaks the agreement. What people don't know,is that Pauline's guilt for breaking up this marriage and hurting her friend causes her to still wait until even after the 100 day mark to see Ernest.
The book explains that rather than a seductress, she was romantically inexperienced and didn't have much experience with men. A young Pauline wasn't equipped to fend off the handsome and notoriously charismatic Hemingway and fell in love almost like a schoolgirl.
Throughout their marriage she stayed in love with Hemingway. Although Hemingway famously looked on his first wife as the personification of saintly virtue, he still told his son with Pauline that he "never loved anyone as much as I did your mother."At first Ernest and Pauline were cockied in love. They were not just lovers but partners. Pauline played a major part in Hemingway's writing and was his best editor (per Hemingway's own accounts.) His time with Pauline was the most successful writing period in his life.
But in the end, Hemingway took off to report on the Spanish Civil War and he and Pauline would go months at a time apart. Likewise, he went off to the Spanish Civil War with a young blonde journalist, Martha Gellhorn.
This was the beginning of the end but Hawkins does not end the story there. She goes on to explain that Pauline had a life after Hemingway. Although she never married again, she had a life. It's important to remember she was still a wealthy socialite. Pauline probably died with a broken heart but she did not die of one.
This is a great read. It is not just about Pauline but there is much biographical information on Hemingway that I have never read in other works. Even if you are not a Hemingway fan, but enjoy nonfiction or biographies you'll love this. You'll be impressed with the detail of the research and the sophistication of the writing.
August 2, 2012
Incredible Selfishness and Some Generosity: The Hemingway-Pfeiffer Marriage
Hopefully anyone who reads this book already has a good handle on Hemingway, his life and what he was like. You would know that he was a creative genius and also self-absorbed and self-centered to the extreme but also that he was incredibly focused whether he was fishing for marlin or hunting for lions and tigers and bears or shooting quail or committing adultery and most especially when he was writing.
I had hoped for fresh insight into Pauline Pfeiffer, into the attraction then affair then marriage then divorce of Pauline and Ernest Hemingway and into the specific ways that she was Hemingway’s “best editor.” Instead, there was a lot of research from other already published books on Hemingway with some anecdotes being lifted directly from those books. There was virtually no evidence and no new research on the ways that Pauline was his “best editor.” And, the author asserts that Pauline was actually innocent and naïve about men, that she was completely seduced by Hemingway (versus the other way around, which is how Hemingway would have us believe it in A Moveable Feast), who was himself seduced by her money. The latter is an “old” claim, however. Apparently Ernest had more than simply a passing interest in Pauline’s sister Virginia, but the author only hints at this, raising more questions than she answers.
However, this book did answer some questions I had on Pauline’s “Uncle Gus,”— his generous and important financial and emotional support of Hemingway, so this small amount of fresh insight prevented me from giving this book only one star. The Pfeiffer family in general was quite interesting, and the brothers—Pauline’s father, Uncle Gus, etc.—were all good business men and supportive of the communities in which they lived, men who were visionaries and leaders. The Pfeiffer men were generous and thoughtful.
Unfortunately, the feeling I got about from Pauline after reading this book was that she was indeed a spoiled brat and sometimes nearly as selfish and self-centered as her husband. She left her newborn babies with her mother and sister to tend so she could hunt with Ernest. She sent her youngest to Syracuse with the maid because it was the easiest and most expedient thing to do. For a “devout Catholic” she picked which strictures were convenient, didn’t have much charity or compassion for her fellow man (particularly if he or she was not wealthy or interesting). She certainly did not pay much attention to those strictures when she was breaking apart Hemingway’s first marriage and completely ignored them if she did indeed have an abortion as the author implies (and having an abortion is “better than” or somehow more acceptable to a “devout” Catholic such as Pauline than using birth control?).
I was also disappointed that there weren’t any better or even any different pictures. Sure, there were one or two photos that one does not usually see, but they were of poor quality and did not show Pauline very well.
This would have made a better long magazine article as much of the book rehashes previous biographies. It fails to provide the promised new insights except into the world of the Pfeiffer men and how they made (and even shared) their money and privilege.
Hopefully anyone who reads this book already has a good handle on Hemingway, his life and what he was like. You would know that he was a creative genius and also self-absorbed and self-centered to the extreme but also that he was incredibly focused whether he was fishing for marlin or hunting for lions and tigers and bears or shooting quail or committing adultery and most especially when he was writing.
I had hoped for fresh insight into Pauline Pfeiffer, into the attraction then affair then marriage then divorce of Pauline and Ernest Hemingway and into the specific ways that she was Hemingway’s “best editor.” Instead, there was a lot of research from other already published books on Hemingway with some anecdotes being lifted directly from those books. There was virtually no evidence and no new research on the ways that Pauline was his “best editor.” And, the author asserts that Pauline was actually innocent and naïve about men, that she was completely seduced by Hemingway (versus the other way around, which is how Hemingway would have us believe it in A Moveable Feast), who was himself seduced by her money. The latter is an “old” claim, however. Apparently Ernest had more than simply a passing interest in Pauline’s sister Virginia, but the author only hints at this, raising more questions than she answers.
However, this book did answer some questions I had on Pauline’s “Uncle Gus,”— his generous and important financial and emotional support of Hemingway, so this small amount of fresh insight prevented me from giving this book only one star. The Pfeiffer family in general was quite interesting, and the brothers—Pauline’s father, Uncle Gus, etc.—were all good business men and supportive of the communities in which they lived, men who were visionaries and leaders. The Pfeiffer men were generous and thoughtful.
Unfortunately, the feeling I got about from Pauline after reading this book was that she was indeed a spoiled brat and sometimes nearly as selfish and self-centered as her husband. She left her newborn babies with her mother and sister to tend so she could hunt with Ernest. She sent her youngest to Syracuse with the maid because it was the easiest and most expedient thing to do. For a “devout Catholic” she picked which strictures were convenient, didn’t have much charity or compassion for her fellow man (particularly if he or she was not wealthy or interesting). She certainly did not pay much attention to those strictures when she was breaking apart Hemingway’s first marriage and completely ignored them if she did indeed have an abortion as the author implies (and having an abortion is “better than” or somehow more acceptable to a “devout” Catholic such as Pauline than using birth control?).
I was also disappointed that there weren’t any better or even any different pictures. Sure, there were one or two photos that one does not usually see, but they were of poor quality and did not show Pauline very well.
This would have made a better long magazine article as much of the book rehashes previous biographies. It fails to provide the promised new insights except into the world of the Pfeiffer men and how they made (and even shared) their money and privilege.
November 26, 2012
Author Ruth Hawkins has assembled an amazingly detailed book (including 35 pages of citations) on the marriage of Pauline Pfeiffer and Ernest Hemingway. Pauline, from a wealthy Arkansas family and a writer at Vogue, was Hemingway's second wife. As a couple they had a whirlwind life among the intellectuals of the time, living in Cuba, Key West, Paris,and visiting New York, Arkansas, Wyoming, California, Illinois, etc. The most intriguing part of the book is the relationship of Hemingway with the extended Pfeiffer family, especially Pauline's generous uncle Gus who became Hemingway's patron. Pauline was a talented writer and editor herself but abandoned her own career to edit Hemingway's early works and organize the family's life. This book was a nice followup to The Paris Wife, a fictional account of Hemingway's first marriage.
October 18, 2012
This book was obviously exhaustively researched, but a bit painful to read because it is hundreds of pages of “they went here, they went there” with little bits of personal information sandwiched in between. Hawkins makes it pretty clear what kind of woman would give up her career and children and follow Hemingway around the world like a star-struck groupie. It was interesting to find out how the Pfeiffer family made the money which launched Hemingway’s career, and I liked the first-hand accounts from people who met the couple during this time – I just wish there had been more of them.
August 21, 2016
Ernest Hemingway, jerk.
September 24, 2017
( Format : Audiobook )
"We are the same guy."
A detailed and obviously carefully researched account of the lives of Ernest Hemingway, his second wife, Pauline Pheiffer, and their families. The flamboyant author best known for gritty novels and his love of hunting, fishing and bullfights is revealed as a charasmatic character who could woo and engage others with ease, then as carelessly throw them away when no longer needed. He married into an exceedingly wealthy and generous family when he left his first wife and child for Pauline and continued to benefit from the family's generosity, both in affection and financially, throughout the time they were together. For her part, Pauline appeared to both love him totally and to have devoted her life to making his more comfortable, ignoring her own potential talents.
The author has utilised books, journal and remembrances to bring a very rich picture of all who were involved with the couple, both through the marriage and in the years before and after until Pauline's death. The book is almost as full as one of Hemingway's own novels, with a kalaedescopic swirl of colourful characters and places. It is a romance, also, interwoven between the pages.
Very fulsome in detail, it can be a little repititious at times and would have benefitted from a stronger structure, rather than an all encompassing listing of incidents in chronological order, although, to be fair, this approach does occur when introducing new friends and family members. It would also have been useful to supply a full bibliography at the end - there were various questions which this reader would have liked to follow up and such a resource would have been immeasurably helpful.
The book is narrated by Talunadge Regan, whose voice is well modulated, pace perfect and clear. A pleasant on the ear voice, it does have the slight stridency of a youngish girl, carrying an innocence which is kind itself fitting with the apparent nature of Pauline herself.
Altogether, a very readable account of a man of huge personality as well as talent and the woman who, above all others, seems to have made it possible. It also provides a fascinating glimpse into the society of the time. My thanks to the rights holder of Unbelievable Happiness for freely gifting me a complimentary copy, via Audiobook Boom. Reading more like a novel than an history, it should appeal to anyone interested in Hemingway himself, the time in which he lived and the background to his work.
"We are the same guy."
A detailed and obviously carefully researched account of the lives of Ernest Hemingway, his second wife, Pauline Pheiffer, and their families. The flamboyant author best known for gritty novels and his love of hunting, fishing and bullfights is revealed as a charasmatic character who could woo and engage others with ease, then as carelessly throw them away when no longer needed. He married into an exceedingly wealthy and generous family when he left his first wife and child for Pauline and continued to benefit from the family's generosity, both in affection and financially, throughout the time they were together. For her part, Pauline appeared to both love him totally and to have devoted her life to making his more comfortable, ignoring her own potential talents.
The author has utilised books, journal and remembrances to bring a very rich picture of all who were involved with the couple, both through the marriage and in the years before and after until Pauline's death. The book is almost as full as one of Hemingway's own novels, with a kalaedescopic swirl of colourful characters and places. It is a romance, also, interwoven between the pages.
Very fulsome in detail, it can be a little repititious at times and would have benefitted from a stronger structure, rather than an all encompassing listing of incidents in chronological order, although, to be fair, this approach does occur when introducing new friends and family members. It would also have been useful to supply a full bibliography at the end - there were various questions which this reader would have liked to follow up and such a resource would have been immeasurably helpful.
The book is narrated by Talunadge Regan, whose voice is well modulated, pace perfect and clear. A pleasant on the ear voice, it does have the slight stridency of a youngish girl, carrying an innocence which is kind itself fitting with the apparent nature of Pauline herself.
Altogether, a very readable account of a man of huge personality as well as talent and the woman who, above all others, seems to have made it possible. It also provides a fascinating glimpse into the society of the time. My thanks to the rights holder of Unbelievable Happiness for freely gifting me a complimentary copy, via Audiobook Boom. Reading more like a novel than an history, it should appeal to anyone interested in Hemingway himself, the time in which he lived and the background to his work.
August 4, 2021
Main thing .. out of 3 books on Wives 1,2,and 4 .... this one was the best and most enjoyable. It is written by an outsider but extremely well researched, where #4 was written by the women herself, was intensely LONG and boring in many places but did hold you throughout.
I do not like EH or his books ... but the three books I have / or am reading on 3 of this wives are very enlightening. Paris Wife (Wife 1 ) I read for my Book Club which set me off to find out more. It was interesting to read how they lived their lives with this man who I think I would have written off after meeting him once. I have read about #1 Hadley and #4 Mary ..... now on this one on #2 Pauline who virtually stole her best friends husband from her and continued to remain friends with her.
EH went for Pauline only due to her $$ and it alone I honestly believe. Her Uncle Gus continued giving them $$ all the time .. OMG. For his books and movie deals (Farewell to Arms) he could have refused the $ that was sent but no he didn't. Trips, houses, furniture, and a boat that does still exist in with W4.
HIs friendships continue slightly with Fitzgerald , Pound and others but not mentioned as much as with W1 and not at all with W4. He alienated most of them.
What is making this book my favourite of the 3 , is in the inclusion of all her family and his family, the highs and lows and the infatuation her family have over this very egotistical man. His family, deeply religious pretty much cut him off as his writing appalls them, but when offers of $$ / trips is coming their way .. then that is okay.
One think I disliked and many will in this age is all the hunting and trophy killing that was done.
W1 ... no clue what she was getting herself into.
W2 ... knew exactly what she was getting into and him very willingly accepting $ from her family .... no problem as they had loads ... even after the depression.
W3 ???
W4 .... both involved in WWII both aware of each others back history .... her book was close to a day to day diary put onto a page with more highlights. Willing to walk out but stayed. My feeling is she went toe to toe with him but also felt she knew he would eventually do what others in his family had done and stayed with him until the end. .
I do not like EH or his books ... but the three books I have / or am reading on 3 of this wives are very enlightening. Paris Wife (Wife 1 ) I read for my Book Club which set me off to find out more. It was interesting to read how they lived their lives with this man who I think I would have written off after meeting him once. I have read about #1 Hadley and #4 Mary ..... now on this one on #2 Pauline who virtually stole her best friends husband from her and continued to remain friends with her.
EH went for Pauline only due to her $$ and it alone I honestly believe. Her Uncle Gus continued giving them $$ all the time .. OMG. For his books and movie deals (Farewell to Arms) he could have refused the $ that was sent but no he didn't. Trips, houses, furniture, and a boat that does still exist in with W4.
HIs friendships continue slightly with Fitzgerald , Pound and others but not mentioned as much as with W1 and not at all with W4. He alienated most of them.
What is making this book my favourite of the 3 , is in the inclusion of all her family and his family, the highs and lows and the infatuation her family have over this very egotistical man. His family, deeply religious pretty much cut him off as his writing appalls them, but when offers of $$ / trips is coming their way .. then that is okay.
One think I disliked and many will in this age is all the hunting and trophy killing that was done.
W1 ... no clue what she was getting herself into.
W2 ... knew exactly what she was getting into and him very willingly accepting $ from her family .... no problem as they had loads ... even after the depression.
W3 ???
W4 .... both involved in WWII both aware of each others back history .... her book was close to a day to day diary put onto a page with more highlights. Willing to walk out but stayed. My feeling is she went toe to toe with him but also felt she knew he would eventually do what others in his family had done and stayed with him until the end. .
September 21, 2018
Eye opening read
I'd never known much about Hemingway's second wife Pauline, except as Hemingway and Hadley's biographers had described her role in breaking up Ernest and Hadley's marriage. This book helped me understand her history, background, and family. She was as innocent as Hadley in many ways, though on the surface more sophisticated than Hadley. But both had the misfortune of marrying a genius with troubling and inherited mental problems. But I believe they both also intuitively understood his often deeply hidden understanding of humanity, which comes through in the best of his writing. For this quality, they loved him. It is telling that Pauline became friends with Hadley and his last wife Mary, sharing, I suspect, the occasional joys but also more common sorrows of proximity to him.
I'd never known much about Hemingway's second wife Pauline, except as Hemingway and Hadley's biographers had described her role in breaking up Ernest and Hadley's marriage. This book helped me understand her history, background, and family. She was as innocent as Hadley in many ways, though on the surface more sophisticated than Hadley. But both had the misfortune of marrying a genius with troubling and inherited mental problems. But I believe they both also intuitively understood his often deeply hidden understanding of humanity, which comes through in the best of his writing. For this quality, they loved him. It is telling that Pauline became friends with Hadley and his last wife Mary, sharing, I suspect, the occasional joys but also more common sorrows of proximity to him.
May 27, 2019
Hawkins gives an excellent account inside the second marriage of E. Hemingway to Pauline Pfeiffer. The reader quickly realizes Hemingway's cold way of parenting does not fall far from his parents ice cold manner of guiding him. I never felt sorry for the sorrow Pauline endured as she had no problem stealing him away from his first wife and then took the Catholic card and ran with it. A fabulous book that shows Pauline's help in editing no doubt led to his success but his best written book was not under her editing eyes or hands, so did she play that big of a part - lots of ways you can toss this around. No manuscripts were left showing her editing notes but a fire destroyed much of Hemingways's manuscripts.
April 7, 2020
“Unbelievable Happiness and Final Sorrow" is an excellent contribution to the collective writings on Ernest Hemingway and the people who were part of his life. It tells the story of Pauline Pfeiffer, his second wife. The author's anecdotes, observations and insights paint a vivid and engaging picture of an intelligent, witty and devoted partner who sacrificed her wants and needs for the unappreciative man she loved. This book is so well researched and written. I highly recommend it to those who are interested in the strong, resourceful and dedicated people who may have contributed more to Ernest Hemingway's success than the writer himself.
September 5, 2017
This was a beautiful collection of information on the second marriage of Earnest Hemingway to Pauline Pfeiffer. This book navigates the course of the courting and eventual marriage, including the inevitable breakup of Hemingway and the outgoing Hadley Hemingway. This is a highly researched and descriptive account of the events that took place incorporating many of Hemingway's friends including Gertrude Stein and F. Scott Fitzgerald. A must read for lovers of Hemingway.
This audio book was graciously provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review
This audio book was graciously provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review
November 18, 2017
Audible:I found this to be both informative and entertaining.I had no idea 'Poppa' had such a varied background.Talmadge Ragan narrated it beautifully.“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”
July 4, 2018
Excellent background and research incorporated into a page turner! The Pfeiffer family history is enthralling in and of itself. Knowing Pauline and her family gives a new understanding on Hemingway’s writings and the origins of his stories. A must read for anyone studying Ernest Hemingway.
October 31, 2018
I had read The Paris Wife and a book about Martha Gellhorn and now I know the story of Pauline. This book is the most accurate as it has references galore. Enjoyed every minute of happiness and sorrow.
September 13, 2013
I was so glad to finish this book! It was exhausting to read with the constant travel and all the history about Pauline's family. What a selfish and self-absorbing couple they were. Pauline deserved what she got, that is Ernest leaving her for another woman, as she stole Ernest from Hadley, his first wife. And if that wasn't bad, Hadley, his first wife started seeing a man whom she was friends with and his wife, and broke them up! She eventually married him. I think it hilarious Pauline came from a strict Catholic family and claimed to be strict herself, even though she pursued a married man, broke up the marriage, married him, drank like a sailor, smoked, and neglected her children for many years. That's enough to turn you away from the Catholic faith. I decided this is the last book I will read about Hemingway's life. Too draining!
December 13, 2013
Wonderful book if you enjoy biographies about Ernest Hemingway...and I do.
The writer has done a wonderful job incorporating all that is out there about second wife Pauline Pfeiffer and some new material from her own research over a 15 year period.
I never understand his work as well as I did when I became an English teacher and tried to do a better job than my high school teachers had done of explaining his work to me. I think Hemingway's writing can best be appreciated at a later age than high school. I know I got so much more out of his writing as a 35+ year old and ever after than I ever did as a high school student. Teaching A Farewell to Arms led me back to this author after many years away. A brilliant yet tortured man.
The writer has done a wonderful job incorporating all that is out there about second wife Pauline Pfeiffer and some new material from her own research over a 15 year period.
I never understand his work as well as I did when I became an English teacher and tried to do a better job than my high school teachers had done of explaining his work to me. I think Hemingway's writing can best be appreciated at a later age than high school. I know I got so much more out of his writing as a 35+ year old and ever after than I ever did as a high school student. Teaching A Farewell to Arms led me back to this author after many years away. A brilliant yet tortured man.
January 9, 2013
In-depth rendering of Ernest Hemingway's marriage to his second wife, Pauline Pfeiffer. I'm not a Hemingway fan; the only thing of his that I've read and even remotely enjoyed was "For Whom the Bell Tolls" -- but he was an important figure in the world of literature, and he made his life pretty messy with his womanizing and four marriages. His children, too, were affected by his lifestyle. The author made extensive use of letters and interviews to round out the personality and life of the second Mrs. Hemingway and the Pfeiffer family, who accepted Hemingway into their family as a son until he and Pauline divorced.
August 7, 2015
Well written book on the wife vilified by The Paris Wife. Pauline Pfeiffer loved Ernest so deeply she could not get over his moving on to the young Martha Gellhorn. After reading this book I learned to care about Pauline and dislike her less. Such a complicated woman consumed by her love of the man that I have learned to love and hate. He was a pig to his friends his wives and a father only when his boys were present. But he must have been full of charsima or how could he have moved through life like he did. This is THE book on Hemingway's second marriage.
August 3, 2016
An excellent book on Pauline Pfeiffer. The Paris Wife and The Movable Feast don't paint her in a very good light so it's nice to take a different and very in-depth look at her. This book is exceptionally well researched and written. It gave me a entirely new framework from which to look at Pauline and the support she gave to Hemingway in his most productive writing years. I found that I actually liked her when I finished reading it.
August 29, 2012
This book was such an incredible account of Pauline Pfeiffer's life as an Earnest Hemingway wife. The lifestyle she lived was incredible for her generation. Hearing about this great author from a different perspective was eye opening. I enjoyed it. Being an Arkansan made it even more interesting. Having the author speak to us was wonderful! Please buy this book.
July 5, 2012
A valuable addition to the Hemingway biography collection, as there is no comprehensive biography of Pauline. I could quibble over a few things, but overall I found this well written and thought it provided an interesting overview of the Hemingway-Pfeiffer marriage.
September 3, 2013
Hemingway's books have never really appealed to me. However, I have become very interested in his real life. This book was very well documented. It is the story of Hemingway and his second wife Pauline Pfeifer.
September 3, 2013
At times, it was too detailed and had "term paper" styling, but overall, it was fascinating. You see, it's as if I really "know" these people. This story is compelling. To learn how deeply indebted Hemingway was to the Pfieffers- that was eye-opening.
Loved the book.
Loved the book.
September 18, 2014
I am so pleased that this book has been written. Pauline Pfeiffer was not a saint, but a good woman who made poor choices in the name of love. I wish I would have met Ernest Hemingway. He must of had an overwhelming, ephemeral personality. I can only read about the oafish bully he became.
October 4, 2014
Yet another fascinating read...maybe it is because I love learning things about people that I never knew before; but this book kept me coming back to it every time I had time...so it had to be well written!
March 29, 2014
Great read
added to my interests of Hemingway
to read of wife 2 related to other biographies of wife one and wife three.
added to my interests of Hemingway
to read of wife 2 related to other biographies of wife one and wife three.
October 8, 2014
Excellent book on the Hemingway-Pfeiffer marriage
May 14, 2015
I always enjoy reading a book about Ernest.
September 7, 2013
Another well written book confirming that Hemingway was a total jerk!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews