"I wished I had died before I ever loved anyone but her..."-Ernest Hemingway

Welcome back to Think Classic after yet another absence. Once again, we apologize for our silence over the last several weeks, but we hope that today's post will make up for it. We have a very special treat that we are excited to share with you. It has been almost 2 years since we did a book post, and today's review should send you to the nearest Barnes and Noble.

The Paris Wife

2012 novel

by Paula McLain

I purchased The Paris Wife on a whim while on a trip to Barnes and Noble about a month ago. Like most people who are educated in literature and history, I am familiar with not only the work of Ernest Hemingway, but also his life. After reading the back cover I was instantly intrigued and took the novel home with me. I

was stuck in a reading rut, having previously finished a wonderful book, but having no idea what to read next, so that it had actually been a few months since I'd sat down and rifled through some pages. I was wary of this historical novel, as I usually am when someone seemingly makes up a story about historical facts. But from the very first page, I was lost in it, already desperate for more each time I had to put it down.

The book begins in Chicago, just 20 years after the turn of the century, which is when and where a young, ambitious, and as of yet unpublished Ernest Hemingway met his first wife, Hadley Richardson. I found myself falling in love with their relationship, just as Ernest found himself falling in love with the honest and compassionate Hadley. I got caught up in their year long whirlwind romance and the promise of a life in Paris, just as they did.

The two married on September 3, 1921, and very shortly after set off for France. They were poorer than poor, and yet made the best of their life together in their rundown apartments, still managing to rub shoulders with notable names such as Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, and more. They also managed to travel to beautiful and interesting places such as Schruns, Austria; Lausane, Switzerland; and of course, Pamplona, Spain.

I was locked in the pages of this novel, traveling to all of these places and vacationing with the young and happy Hemingways, meeting these people I have only read about before. I was wandering around the streets of Paris with Hadley, and ducking into little cafes. I was locked in Ernest's writing room while genius burned as he feverishly scribbled the words that would become The Sun Also Rises. I felt the couple's despair when his life's work was stolen. I got to share in the eventual joy they felt when they had their son, Bumby.
It was enthralling, in the best ways, and yet there was always the underlying knowledge of eventual tragedy. Knowing that, as happy as they seemed in this moment or that chapter, things would not stay that way. Because I was also locked in the pages of the book, as a silent witness to their struggles. I watched their marriage deteriorate, and saw the cracks form that would eventually cause their relationship to crumble. I hated the other woman for Hadley, who saw her as a friend. I wanted to slap Ernest silly for his mistakes, but also wanted to cry for him, and occasionally with him. And, as I approached the final pages, I didn't know if I could say goodbye to the book. Just as Ernest and Hadley were wondering how they could really say goodbye to each other and wondering what they would do next, I was wondering how I would move on to my next book, while still being enchanted with this apparent masterpiece.

It is a wonderful book. The author has a beautiful way with words that gave her the ability to create an emotional and exciting story, while also keeping to the period, the places, and the people according to historical facts.It is a novel, but it is also genuinely true. You will travel to places you've never been, and see things that you never have. You will get lost in it.

"It was sometimes painful for me to think that to those who followed his life with interest, I was just the early wife, the Paris wife. But that was probably vanity, wanting to stand out in a long line of women. In truth it didn't matter what others saw. We knew what we had and what it meant, and though so much had happened since for both of us, there was nothing like those years in Paris, after the war. Life was painfully pure, and simple, and good, and I believe Ernest was his best self then. I got the very best of him. We got the best of each other."

Hadley Richardson

The Paris Wife

"The city was never to be the same again. When I returned to it, I found it had changed as I had changed. Paris was never the same as when I was poor and very happy."

Ernest Hemingway

"Remember me as a man who loves Raintree County,but just happens to loathe most of the people in it."

Welcome to Think Classic and post #4 for Fall of '48!

Ross Lockridge, Jr.

Born April 25, 1914

Died March 6, 1948

Ross Franklin Lockridge, Jr. was born on the twenty-fifth of April, 1914.  History notes nothing exceptional about his upbringing until his college years. He attended Indiana University, and when he graduated in the year of 1935 it was with the highest average in the history of the university.

Lockridge dabbled in creative writing and desired to produce something noteworthy--something important. He finally finished his only novel, Raintree County, and it was published in 1948.

Unfortunately, even as his career as a successful writer was just beginning to blossom, Lockridge, who suffered from severe depression, committed suicide very shortly after Raintree County's publication. He was only 33 years old, and left behind his wife and 4 children.

Raintree County

1948 novel

by Ross Lockridge, Jr.

The novel revolves around a man by the name of John Shawnessy, who resides in (fictional) Raintree County, Indiana. The story is uniquely told through reminiscings, memories, flashbacks, and dreams of John, which take place over many years and give the reader a depiction of the growth of Raintree County through westward expansion,  the Civil War and it's impacts and consequences, abolitionism, and the Labor Movement. In the beginning of the story, John is very much involved with his old high school flame, Nell Gaither. Then, a breathtakingly beautiful southern belle by the name of Susanna Drake moves into the area. Susanna seduces John and they have an affair. At the end of the summer, Susanna goes back to the south, and John attempts to return to normal and pick up where he left off with Nell, who is hurt by his previous actions but is willing to make it work, until John learns that Susanna is pregnant. John decides that the only right and honorable thing to do is marry Susanna and provide support, so he leaves Nell to go south and start his life with Susanna.

Life is much more difficult in the south. John is an outspoken, northern abolitionist, so he has a hard time finding common ground with most of the wealthy plantation owners in the area. He also learns over time that his wife had an extremely troubled past, and not only that, but that Susanna herself is mad. She confesses to John that she lied about being pregnant just so that she could ensure they would end up together. Eventually they do have a child, however. They return north and live in Raintree County just before the Civil War breaks out. As time goes on, Susanna's mental illness worsens and she begins to imagine things, becoming delusional and paranoid. She eventually runs away with their son, Jimmy, believing that she will find a safer life for them if she returns to the south. John is heartbroken and determined to find them, but traveling is dangerous those days. He therefore enlists in the Army, hoping that he can at least learn what happened to them and where they are as he travels various southern routes. After a while he finds their son, Jimmy, but he is alone. He discovers that Susanna has been taken and placed in an insane asylum. While trying to take his son to safety, John is wounded, and it leads to his discharge from the Army, which enables him to go and find Susanna. When he does, he is horrified at the conditions of the asylum and he arranges to take her home with him.

Things do not return to normal, however. John does his best to establish a safe and normal life for his family again, but Susanna is never right after that. When the political atmosphere takes a turn as the Civil War comes to a close, John begins to contemplate running for office, but he does not know for sure what he should do. He consults Nell, who is still living in Raintree County, and she is completely supportive. Susanna sees them interact and she accepts the fact that John only married her because of circumstance, and that he will always truly love Nell, even if he won't admit it. So, wishing to give them a chance at a happy life together, Susanna goes to a swamp in the middle of the night and drowns herself. Jimmy follows her, and the town frantically searches for the two of them the next day. Eventually they find Susanna's body and they discover that Jimmy is safe--alone and scared in the night, he had found solid ground under a tree and fallen asleep.

Raintree County was warmly received, and highly praised by critics. It is, to this day, considered by many to be a great, historical American novel.

A film adaptation was produced by MGM, starring Montgomery Clift as John Shawnessy, Elizabeth Taylor as Susana Drake, and Eva Marie Saint as Nell Gaither.

The film was released in 1957--almost 10 years after the publication of the novel. It was a massive and costly production--the most expensive MGM production since Gone With the Wind (1936).

"They seek him here, they seek him there..."

The Scarlet Pimpernel

1905 novel

by Baroness Emmuska Orczy

Although written at the beginning of the 20th century, the story of The Scarlet Pimpernel was inspired by events that took place over 100 years before.  It is set in both France and England during the French Revolution.  An Englishman with a well-concealed identity, who is referred to as the Scarlet Pimpernel, along with his band of 19 followers, goes on daring missions into the heart of France to save French aristocrats from death by the guillotine. They are then brought to England, where they can safely start a new life.

But who is this man? Who is the Scarlet Pimpernel?

Nobody knows--not even the people who are saved with his help.

Yet so many are seeking him--particularly the leaders of the new French republic. In their minds, he is keeping wicked people from dying deaths that they deserve. So an ambassador is sent to England by the name of Chauvelin, for the sole purpose of discovering the identity of the Scarlet Pimpernel so that they can watch his movements and have him arrested and executed the next time he is on French soil. Chauvelin does as much research as he can before heading over to England, concluding that whoever the Scarlet Pimpernel is, he is a part of the highest social circle in England.

Also within that social circle are Sir Percy Blakeney and his wife, Lady Marguerite Blakeney--a newly married young couple. Sir Percy is a fool who can barely bring himself to think of anything besides fashion and money, yet he is known to be clever and witty at times and comes from very good money. Lady Marguerite is actually a Frenchwoman by birth, who somehow managed to get swept off her feet by Sir Percy and now unhappily resides with him in England. To make up for her husbands foolish ways, Lady Blakeney is breathtakingly beautiful, highly intelligent, cunning and witty. She is regarded as one of the most important women in Europe, and together she and her husband easily glide within the social circle with people like the Prince of Wales.

Chauvelin actually knew Lady Blakeney before she was married, while she was still living in France. He knew her family and is also acquainted with her brother, Armand. While trying to discover who the Scarlet Pimpernel is, he discovers that Armand is one of his 19 followers. He has him arrested and decides to blackmail Lady Blakeney into helping him figure out who it is within her social circle that moonlights as The Scarlet Pimpernel. He promises her that if she does this, he will set her brother free.

Lady Blakeney doesn't know what to do or where to begin. Her dearest brother, her only living blood relative is in danger but if she can discover the identity of the Scarlet Pimpernel, he can return safely to England. But even if she did discover who the Scarlet Pimpernel was, could she really condemn a man who is known to be so brave by his adventures and efforts to save innocent lives?

The Scarlet Pimpernel

1934

Starring Merle Oberon, Raymond Massey, and Leslie Howard

Baroness Orczy's novel The Scarlet Pimpernel has been adapted for the stage and the screen many times before. However, I would say that the best version that I know of and have seen myself would be the 1934 film, which stars Merle Oberon as the beautiful, troubled young Lady Blakeney; Leslie Howard as her dumb husband, Sir Percy; and Raymond Massey as the French ambassador, Chauvelin.

This film adaptation captures all of the tiny details found in the original tale of The Scarlet Pimpernel. It is very well done and brings the adventures of the brave Englishman to life.

And, for your enjoyment, I have found the 1934 version of The Scarlet Pimpernel in it's entirety as one whole video, and you can watch it from beginning to end here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6SnYSLFJiY

"They seek him here, they seek him there,

 Those Frenchies seek him everywhere.

 Is he in heaven? Is he in hell?

 That demmed, elusive Pimpernel."

 -Sir Percy Blakeney

"Suzanne: 'The Scarlet Pimpernel. What a droll name. What does it mean?'

 Sir Andrew: 'It is humble, wayside flower, mademoiselle. And it hides the identity of the best and  bravest man in all the world.'"

"Good books,like friends,are few and chosen; the more select,the more enjoyable."-Louisa May Alcott

Little Women

1868-69 novel

by Louisa May Alcott

Little Women is essentially a story about family.  The story follows the lives of the March sisters--Margaret "Meg," Josephine "Jo," Elizabeth "Beth," and Amy.  Each of them have their own distinct personalities, and occasionally those personalities clash, but time and again, with the help of their loving Father and Marmee, they learn important life lessons: the importance of love and family, forgiveness, having faith in their creator, accepting loss, etc. The story begins when Meg, the oldest of the sisters, is only sixteen, and it follows them, their adventures and life lessons over several years time. It doesn't just look at hard, trying or profound times, either. There are passages that make the reader laugh, and smile.

Louisa May Alcott

The story is written by Louisa May Alcott, and it has strong ties to her real life. The characters of the March family are all based on her real parents, her sisters and herself (as portrayed by Jo), and although the names were changed for most of them, nothing was changed about the character of her beloved sister, Beth--not even her name.  Many of the scenarios that are presented to the reader are actual memories belonging to Alcott of her family.  The story is even set in and around Alcott's childhood home, which is also where she wrote it.  Perhaps because of the deeply personal ties to the story, it is written in a way that makes the reader feel like they know the characters, and take a personal interest in what happens to them as the story goes on.

Alcott originally only wrote the first half of the novel (which is split into two parts) and had it published in 1868. She did not believe that it would be well received, or that people would be interested in it. Therefore, she only published to first part to begin with. To test the waters, if you will.  She was surprised at the warm reception, and agreed to finish the story, with the second half being published in 1869.

I honestly cannot even begin to express how much I love this story. The plot sounds so simple, almost like there is nothing to it, and maybe that's true, but it is so fascinating and fun. It's merely a coming of age story--a story about a family that will make you laugh, smile, cry, and keep turning the pages to figure out what happens to the girls and their loved ones.  I know so many people who have read this story, and I've found that even though the reader always loves the entire March family, they always have that one March sister which is their favorite. I know people whose favorite is Amy, or maybe Meg, or of course, free-spirited Jo. My own personal favorite is Beth. But no matter which sister wins your heart, everybody I know who has read the book loves it, and learns and grows along with the March family as they read.

Beth March

Of course, when there is a book beloved by so many, film adaptations are bound to follow.

There are several classic versions that have been brought to the public over the years:

A 1933 version starring Katharine Hepburn as Jo, Frances Dee as Meg, Jean Parker as Beth, and Joan Bennett as Amy.

A 1949 version starring June Allyson as Jo, Janet Leigh as Meg, Margaret O'Brien as Beth, and Elizabeth Taylor as Amy.

A 1978 version starring Susan Dey as Jo, Meredith Baxter Birney as Meg, Eve Plumb as Beth, and Ann Dusenberry as Amy.

If I were to choose which of the above mentioned classic versions of the movie as my favorite, I would have to say, after seeing all of them, the 1949 version, which I was raised on. We had it as a VHS tape when I was a kid and I watched it so many times I'm surprised it still works.

However, if I had to choose my absolute favorite version of the movie from all time, even though it might not qualify as a classic, it would have to be....

Little Women

1994

Starring Winona Ryder, Trini Alvarado, Claire Danes, Kirsten Dunst, Samantha Mathis, Christian Bale, and Susan Sarandon

This version is by far the best I have ever seen. There is just something about it that really encompasses the true feeling of family and love that you get when you read the book.

It's phenomenal, with Winona Ryder as spirited Jo, Trini Alvarado as pretty Meg, Claire Danes in her first film role as timid Beth, and artistic Amy portrayed both by Kirsten Dunst and Samantha Mathis as she ages.

Susan Sarandon really steps into the role of Marmee, in all her wisdom, and Christian Bale is Theodore "Teddy"/"Laurie" Laurence, the boy from next door.

The book presents such a beautiful story, written from the heart of Louisa May Alcott, and this movie is the only one that truly captures that on the screen, in my opinion.

Here is the trailer for the movie:

"There are many Beths in the world, shy and quiet, sitting in corners till needed, and living for others so cheerfully that no one sees the sacrifices till the little cricket on the hearth stops chirping, and the sweet, sunshiny presence vanishes, leaving silence and shadow behind."

"I may be strong-minded, but no one can say I'm out of my sphere now, for woman's special mission is supposed to be drying tears and bearing burdens."

-Jo March

"Give them all my dear love and a kiss.  Tell them I think of them by day, pray for them by night, and find my best comfort in their affection at all times.  A year seems very long to wait before I see them, but remind them that while we wait we may all work, so that these hard days need not be wasted.  I know they will remember all I said to them, that they will be loving children to you, will do their duty faithfully, fight their bosom enemies bravely, and conquer themselves so beautifully that when I come back to them I may be fonder and prouder than ever of my little women."

-A letter from Mr. March to Marmee