“On Paris”– Book Review

On my recent winter vacation, I read “On Paris” by Ernest Hemingway.

Summary

When the 20th century was in its early 20’s, so was Ernest Hemingway.  After his service as an ambulance driver during World War I, he lived in Paris with his wife Hadley and worked as a journalist for the Toronto Star.  Periodically, he would file pieces on a wide variety of topics – political, cultural, sports-related, you name it.  As a nascent writer, this young man was all over the place. While some may find these writings rather inconsequential, Hemingway devotees might in fact get a kick out of it because it shows the master as he’s figuring out how to perfect his craft.

This is a short, easy book to read, especially if you’re on vacation.  However, do note that if you’re on vacation in Paris (or are planning to go there), keep in mind that the places the author references in his florid writing may no longer exist since these articles are nearly a century old.  That said, it’s rather entertaining to see the references to prices with a favorable exchange rate between French Francs and U.S. Dollars (ah, the pre-Euros days).  That said, his love for the city of lights will still ring true for its most ardent fans. 

His view of French politics is particularly interesting, especially given the fact that the memories of The Great War are still fresh among its citizens.  What’s amusing, though, is the twenty-something Hemingway railing against the “old” politicians remaining in office.  He gives a peek behind the curtain of journalism describing the trials and tribulations of being a newspaperman.  The story related is about the installation of a new Pope and how the Vatican (like the politicians) didn’t trust journalists.  An appreciation of French History and world politics is not necessarily a pre-requisite for this book, but if you have this knowledge, it’ll certainly come in handy.     

In contrasting the way we currently express ourselves now as opposed to then, text dripping with racism was rampant.  As an example, there was an author of African-American descent who was notorious for writing a controversial novel.  Having met the man, Hemingway not only mentioned the man was Black, he went on to try to describe exactly how Black by comparing his skin color to that of a known boxer of the day who was also African-American.  Reading this particular piece, it is hard to imagine it being written in this manner today.

One of the funnier items is “American Bohemian”, where he writes about American artists (or artist wannabes) who come to Paris seeking networking with other such artists and, hopefully, to be discovered and get a shortcut to fame and fortune.  Hemingway describes these people as “the scum of Greenwich Village”.  He also writes harshly of the tough, gritty nightlife of the real Paris where you can be robbed by a waiter just as easily as you can by a young street thug with a weapon (although the latter method will induce considerably more physical pain). 

Besides writing about dilettantes, Hemingway also notices that Russians abound in Paris and they seemingly are able to get away with anything because the French are so gullible.  He also complains about how absinthe was outlawed and how Berlin tries to compete with Paris in terms of its nightlife (he says that Berlin is overrated because of the abundance of cocaine there, which is readily available almost everywhere you go).  The French themselves don’t get let off the hook quite so easily; Hemingway whines about how rude they are and that everywhere you go, they will harass you for tips. 

On Paris (On Series): Ernest Hemingway: 9781843916048: Books ISBN: 1843916045 ISBN-13: 9781843916048