Welcome back!
I’m back with a non-fiction review of ‘A Moveable Feast’ by Ernest Hemingway. This is a rare one for me as I much prefer fiction. But this book is all about Hemingway’s experiences in Paris, and it seemed a fitting book to read and review this summer 🙂
‘A Moveable feast’ is Hemingway’s records of living in Paris after the war as a young man. Still happily married to Hadley and engaging in literary conversations with authors such as Ezra Pound and F. Scott Fitzgerald, this book evokes all the glamour and excitement of Paris, from the point of view of a poor author.
A lot of the descriptions of Hemingway’s travels centre around the Fitzgeralds, with Zelda and Scott’s relationship experiencing many complications as Hemingway gets to know them, reading The Great Gatsby and being there at the start of Scott’s “success.”
As well as recounting his conversations with literary types, Hemingway also talks a lot about his own writing process, particularly where and when he likes to write, and the cafés he frequented while doing so.
I really enjoyed this book because I thought it colourfully evoked Paris life in this glamorous and precarious time, and reading about authors I’ve read or studied from the opinion of a contemporary is always interesting.
I think that Hemingway’s style is pretentious and certainly the fiction I’ve tried of his is style over substance. Having said that, his descriptions of Paris were beautiful and his travels south made me excited for my travels soon.
Have you read ‘A Moveable Feast’ by Earnest Hemingway? Are you a fan of memoirs by famous authors? What’s your opinion of Hemingway’s writing style?
Let me know all your thoughts in the comments, I’d love to hear from you 🙂
Happy reading x
Picture credits here
Not-So-Modern Girl 
I’ve only ever read The Sun Also Rises and A Farewell to Arms. I’m not a huge fan of Hemingway’s writing–it’s a bit too short and choppy for me–but I do appreciate what he’s trying to do in a lot of his writing. Great review!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m reading The Sun also Rises at the moment- I agree, although I like that he’s less flowery than other classic writers 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
If I read this book, it was many, many years ago. I read a lot of Hemingway when I was quite young, but I am not a big fan. I might take a look at this one, though. I hope you hae a wonderful year abroad.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I hope you enjoy it if you give it a go 🙂 thank you!
LikeLike
I am also trying to read The Sun Also Rises, but I enjoyed The Old Man and the Sea, and I might give this one a try now!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ooh I hope you enjoy the ones you try 🙂 thanks for dropping by!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have not read this book, but I have read Hemingway. I’m not a big fan of his because his prose is very long and is boring to me at times.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I know what you mean, his prose isn’t amazing and people are often divided! Thanks for dropping by 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful review! I love books that take you to different places around the world, especially when they involve vivid descriptions. I must admit that I haven’t read any Hemingway but I have a goal to read more classics this year so I hope I get around to his books soon.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I agree, vivid descriptions are great in books, especially if you’ve never visited those places! Thanks for dropping by 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve only read one and the name of the title is escaping me right now…I remember really enjoying a lot of his writing and descriptions, especially the descriptions of food, but I didn’t love the overall novel. Great review.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah I agree- his descriptions are perhaps more interesting than his novels as a whole 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person