Anyone happen to see Midnight In Paris, Woody Allen's most recent (and hurrah, at last! enjoyable) film? Essentially Owen Wilson looking confused and cute and exploring his 'golden era', the historical moment that you would most like to live in. Which means drinking all night in Twenties Paris with Picasso, Matisse, Gertrude Stein, Dali, Duff Cooper, Scott Fitzgerald. But he discovers that not all those gilded free spirits are so keen to be there.
February's book also takes that golden era and flips it over. THE PARIS WIFE is the story of Hadley, aka Mrs Ernest Hemingway (the first one, the 'Paris one'), who first meets the handsome, energetic, vulnerable Nesto in Prohibition-era Chicago. Several parties, fights and a proposal later, and they find themselves penniless in the city of lights, amidst the glittering crowd of artists and writers that congregate in its cafes and bars. Ernest's career finally begins to take off, and Hadley, kept at home with their baby son, begins to be pushed further and further into the sidelines. As she watches the fault lines in her marriage crack ever wider, her desperation to hold onto her love only grows stronger...until she realises there is another ready to take her place.
Read more about the book at our book of the month page, or browse pictures of Hadley and Ernest on Paula's website
Virago are offering 50 copies of The Paris Wife to Mumsnetters. To bag your copy before they run out, please go to the book of the month page and fill in your details.
We'll post on this thread once the copies have all been sent out but if you're not lucky enough to bag a free copy, don't forget you can get your paperback or Kindle version here
We are delighted that Paula will be joining us at the end of February for the live webchat - we will confirm the exact date in the next few days. Look forward to seeing you all there, and do keep posting your thoughts and any advance questions on this thread...
DuchessofMalfi
Wed 01-Feb-12 13:44:32
Me too please. Fingers crossed
.
Here's hoping - I need a good book
Abcinthia
Wed 01-Feb-12 14:34:47
I've got my fingers crossed. It's been on my wishlist for a while.
ProfCoxWouldGetIt
Wed 01-Feb-12 14:44:41
oooh fingers crossed, always prefer to read the book before seeing the movie
<Lights a Gitane, stares moodily into the distance over a glass of Absinthe. Considers shooting a tiger>
ShadeMumsnet
(MNHQ)
Wed 01-Feb-12 17:26:16
Thank you everyone who requested a copy of The Paris Wife. We have reached the magic number (50) so the form has now closed. We'll email to let you know if you were successful.
champagnesupernova
Thu 02-Feb-12 00:10:13
sigh
too late
<clicks all too easy to do spend money with kindle button>
RachelMumsnet
(MNHQ)
Thu 02-Feb-12 09:50:14
Paula will be joining us on Tuesday 28th February 9 - 10pm so put the date in your diary. We've spoken to Virago this morning and the books will be sent out very shortly. Do let us know when they arrive. Enjoy!
WindmillShop
Thu 02-Feb-12 22:36:26
I too have just clicked the too very easy 'buy now' but am v excited as this is the first book club discussion that I won't be at work for (work night shifts) so can join in with my thick and dumb questions! Just need some quiet shifts now to read the book once it arrives!
Nevergarglebrandybutter
Sun 05-Feb-12 15:36:50
I went into my local bookshop today to ask for this book <polishes halo> to be informed the paperback version wouldn't be available until March. I said I had seen it online on paperback and she said this was quite likely.
Sorry to be a pain, but in the interest of independent bookshops is there anyway the books of the month could be timed to allow us bookshop fans to join in with the discussion.
Anyway, the lady in the shop then offered to order one in so I have no idea if i'm getting hardback or paperback so my confusion may be creating a problem where there isn't one.
DuchessofMalfi
Mon 06-Feb-12 12:32:21
I think perhaps the lady in your bookshop was wrong. I've seen The Paris Wife in paperback for sale for weeks now. They have copies in our local Waitrose priced around £5.99.
Nevergarglebrandybutter
Mon 06-Feb-12 20:15:19
Hmm, you might be right. I have a suspicion she has ordered one, and i'll find out tomorrow. Why she originally said it wasn't available I don't know?
ProfCoxWouldGetIt
Tue 07-Feb-12 11:22:06
I'm guessing I was unlucky this time, off to waterstones at lunch then
Nevergarglebrandybutter
Wed 08-Feb-12 11:05:50
it's a paperback!? lady in bookshop was talking nonsense. sorry bout that.
DuchessofMalfi
Wed 08-Feb-12 13:12:07
Has anyone received their copy yet? I'm assuming I was unlucky too but don't want to go and buy one yet just in case???
whereismywine
Thu 09-Feb-12 07:47:12
Mm. Should I buy this. Still hoping one might arrive in the post
Definitely available in paperback - we're making a real effort to schedule the authors to coincide with affordable PBs so that there's every chance of getting hold of a copy.
Will check and see if books been sent out and keep you posted...
beachhutbetty
Thu 09-Feb-12 10:31:19
My copy just arrived too - I love a new book to take on holiday with me
coni336
Thu 09-Feb-12 11:20:24
Mine just arrived too, Thank youuuu!
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