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Paris in the Fifties: A Literary Pilgrimage by Stanley Karnow

Stan Ward

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In his book, "Paris in the Fifties: A Literary Pilgrimage," Stanley Karnow provides a vivid and personal account of the city's literary scene during that decade. Karnow, who was a young journalist living in Paris at the time, knew many of the major literary figures of the day, including Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Simone de Beauvoir. He provides intimate portraits of these writers and their work, as well as a fascinating glimpse into the intellectual and cultural atmosphere of Paris in the postwar years.

Paris in the Fifties

by Stanley Karnow

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1065 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	368 pages

Karnow begins his book with a description of the city's literary landscape in the early 1950s. Paris was still reeling from the effects of World War II, but it was also a time of great creativity and ferment. The city was home to a large number of American writers, who were drawn to its bohemian atmosphere and its reputation as a literary capital. Hemingway, Fitzgerald, and other expatriate writers had made Paris their home in the 1920s, and their presence continued to influence the city's literary scene in the postwar years.

Karnow provides a fascinating account of these American writers in Paris. He describes their writing habits, their social lives, and their relationships with each other. He also discusses the influence of Paris on their work. Hemingway, for example, was inspired by the city's history and culture to write some of his most famous works, including "The Sun Also Rises" and "A Farewell to Arms." Fitzgerald, on the other hand, was drawn to the city's glamour and nightlife, which he depicted in his novels "The Great Gatsby" and "Tender Is the Night." Interestingly, Karnow also writes about the friendships and romantic relationships that developed between the American writers and the French writers and intellectuals of the day.

In addition to his portraits of individual writers, Karnow also provides a vivid description of the intellectual and cultural atmosphere of Paris in the 1950s. He discusses the city's leading literary magazines, bookstores, and cafés. He also describes the intellectual debates that were taking place at the time, particularly the debate between existentialism and Marxism. Karnow's book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the literary history of Paris. It is a rich and informative account of a fascinating period in the city's history.

Karnow's Personal Journey

In addition to providing a historical account of Paris in the 1950s, Karnow also reflects on his own personal journey as a young journalist living in the city. He describes his experiences working for the New York Times, his friendships with other writers, and his own literary aspirations. Karnow's personal journey adds a depth and richness to the book, and it helps to make it more than just a historical account. It is also a personal memoir of a time and place that was both formative and inspiring.

"Paris in the Fifties: A Literary Pilgrimage" is a must-read for anyone interested in the literary history of Paris. It is a rich and informative account of a fascinating period in the city's history. Karnow's personal journey adds a depth and richness to the book, and it helps to make it more than just a historical account. It is also a personal memoir of a time and place that was both formative and inspiring.

Paris in the Fifties

by Stanley Karnow

4.3 out of 5