Intelligent Quotes

A Moveable Feast

A Movable Feast is Ernest Hemingway’s posthumously published memoir, chronicling his years as a young writer in Paris during the 1920s. The book, composed of a series of vignettes and personal reflections, offers a vivid, nostalgic portrait of Hemingway’s bohemian lifestyle and his interactions with the literary and artistic community of the time. Rich in atmosphere and insight, the memoir captures both the hardships and exhilarations of a struggling writer’s life in one of the world’s most culturally vibrant cities.

More about Ernest Hemingway →

Summary

Hemingway begins with descriptions of his simple life in Paris, emphasizing the austerity he and his wife Hadley endured in pursuit of artistic purity. Living in cold apartments, writing in cafés, and traveling frugally, he depicts their financial struggles as romantic and character-building. Paris, with its fog, rain, and bustling streets, serves not only as a backdrop but as a living force that shapes and inspires his work. His tone blends affection and melancholy, as he writes with the wisdom of hindsight but the emotional immediacy of youth.

One of the central themes of A Movable Feast is the idea of literary apprenticeship. Hemingway details his disciplined writing habits, his attempts to develop a clear and honest prose style, and the intense self-criticism he applies to his work. He recalls advice from Gertrude Stein, who tells him that Paris is a city that will always stay with him— “a movable feast.” Stein is one of several literary figures who populate the book, though their portrayals are not always flattering. Hemingway admires some and critiques others with cutting precision.

Among the more warmly portrayed is Sylvia Beach, the generous owner of the Shakespeare and Company bookstore, who offers Hemingway books and support. F. Scott Fitzgerald also features prominently; Hemingway describes their complicated friendship in detail, from Fitzgerald’s insecurity and drinking to his brilliance as a writer. In contrast, Stein is portrayed as condescending, and Hemingway grows disillusioned with her, especially after a falling out.

The memoir also delves into Hemingway’s personal relationships, particularly his marriage to Hadley Richardson. He depicts her with tenderness and regret, acknowledging how his betrayal with Pauline Pfeiffer—who would become his second wife—marked a painful turning point. This aspect of the book is both intimate and self-critical, showing Hemingway’s awareness of the emotional costs of his choices.

Despite its fragmented structure, A Movable Feast builds a cohesive atmosphere of creative fervor, youthful ambition, and bittersweet remembrance. It is as much an elegy for a lost time as it is a document of literary development. Hemingway’s Paris is both real and symbolic—a crucible in which he forged his identity as a writer and a man.

Ultimately, A Movable Feast is a tribute to the artistic spirit, to a time when Hemingway believed writing could be both a calling and a way of life. The feast may have ended, but the memory of it remains rich, nourishing, and enduring.

Quotes from A Moveable Feast

“Never to go on trips with anyone you do not love.”

Ernest Hemingway (verified)

Details

People also read