The Paris Wife: A Novel

What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Paris Wife: A Novel

Paula McLain · Book · 2011

If you loved The Paris Wife: A Novel, start with Hemingway (2021) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 3 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Paris Wife: A Novel across media.

You were captivated by The Paris Wife: A Novel because of its intimate exploration of complex, evolving literary marriages.

Films on the same thread

Midnight in Paris

Midnight in Paris

Woody Allen · Film · 2011

Explores: Nostalgia, Golden Age Thinking, Escapism.

If the atmosphere of 1920s Paris in The Paris Wife: A Novel enchanted you, this film offers a similar, dreamy nostalgia for the era of the Lost Generation.

The English Patient

The English Patient

Anthony Minghella · Film · 1996

Explores: Forbidden Love, Adultery, Betrayal.

Fans of the emotional weight and betrayal found in The Paris Wife: A Novel will recognize the same themes of memory and complex love amidst historical upheaval.

The Housemaid

The Housemaid

Paul Feig · Film · 2025

Explores: Class Conflict, Gaslighting, Identity Theft.

While the setting differs, the high-stakes power dynamics and secrets that unravel relationships in this thriller mirror the tensions Hadley experienced in The Paris Wife: A Novel.

Colette

Colette

Wash Westmoreland · Film · 2018

Explores: creative ghostwriting, literary marriage, female self-actualization.

Like The Paris Wife: A Novel, this film masterfully examines the struggle for female self-actualization and artistic identity within the shadow of a famous literary husband.

Series on the same thread

Hemingway

Hemingway

Series · 2021

Shares a thread with The Paris Wife: A Novel: The Lost Generation.

This documentary provides the factual foundation for the life depicted in The Paris Wife: A Novel, offering deeper insight into the turbulent world of Ernest Hemingway.

Parade's End

Parade's End

Series · 2012

Shares a thread with The Paris Wife: A Novel: Marriage.

Viewers drawn to the marital complications and social pressures of The Paris Wife: A Novel will appreciate this portrait of a strained relationship during a changing Europe.

The Affair

The Affair

Sarah Treem · Series · 2014

Shares a thread with The Paris Wife: A Novel: Marriage.

The focus on the fragile nature of marriage and the fallout of infidelity makes this series a natural successor to the themes of The Paris Wife: A Novel.

Podcasts on the same thread

The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe

The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe

The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe · Podcast · 2026

Explores: untold historical anecdotes, curiosity-driven learning, American cultural history.

If you enjoyed the biographical focus and historical curiosity of The Paris Wife: A Novel, these narrative stories offer a similarly engaging look at compelling, lesser-known lives.

This American Life

This American Life

This American Life · Podcast · 2026

Explores: The human condition, Personal narrative, Social observation.

Those who appreciated the deeply personal and evocative storytelling style in The Paris Wife: A Novel will find a similar human resonance in these true-life narratives.

Keep exploring

Common questions

Is The Paris Wife: A Novel based on a true story?

The Paris Wife: A Novel is a work of fiction that captures the real-life love affair between Ernest Hemingway and his first wife, Hadley Richardson. The story is set against the backdrop of the glittering 1920s in Paris and focuses on their marriage, ambition, and eventual betrayal.

What is the primary focus of The Paris Wife: A Novel?

The Paris Wife: A Novel explores the complex relationship between Ernest Hemingway and Hadley Richardson. It depicts Hadley's personal journey as a woman and wife living in Paris during the 1920s, highlighting themes of ambition and the challenges within their marriage during that historical era.

Who is the author of The Paris Wife: A Novel?

The Paris Wife: A Novel was written by Paula McLain. She is also the author of other works, including Love and Ruin and When the Stars Go Dark. Her writing in this book is noted for providing a deeply evocative portrait of life in 1920s Paris.

Is The Paris Wife: A Novel considered a popular book?

Yes, The Paris Wife: A Novel is a New York Times bestseller. It was also named one of the best books of the year by various critics and received praise for its beautiful portrayal of the historical setting and the central relationship between the two main characters.

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