In the New York Times, Janet Maslin gives the minority opinion on The Paris Wife, Paula McLain’s novel based on the lives of Ernest Hemingway and his first wife in Paris after WW I, which has been enjoying ebullient prepub and consumer reviews. She agrees that the book shows a great deal of research, but parts ways on the book’s quality, nonetheless suggesting we, “Get ready for abundant debate on issues raised by The Paris Wife, because what it lacks in style is made up for in staying power. This is a work of literary tourism that expertly flatters its reader.”

In that, she may be right. The book is now at #37 on Amazon sales rankings and library holds are rising quickly. Expect to see it in the top five on the upcoming NYT hardcover fiction list. The March Oprah magazine also features it, along with reading questions.

The Paris Wife: A Novel Paula McLain Retail Price: $25.00 Hardcover: 336 pages Publisher: Ballantine Books – (2011-02-22) ISBN / EAN: 0345521307 / 9780345521309

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