Paris is the 1920’s; the popular image of romance, wine and art. Hemingway introduces us to his life as a ‘cafe writer’ sharing his city with other literary geniuses such as James Joyce and Gertrude Stein, all of whom he befriends and takes guidance from whilst furthering his talent. Hemingway shares with us what is but a paragraph out of his life, but takes a journey in doing so, and succeeds in enthralling us with a passionate portrayal of his beloved city.

What makes this a beguiling read in the sense that it is different from Hemingway’s other novels, is that it is not plot driven. Perhaps a downfall some might say? But Hemingway’s remarkable ability to engage his audience with mere observable and poetic thinking is made poignant here in the midst of his beautifully woven words.

Hemingway delivers an ideal, a joyous recount of life with little money, but the utmost content, and creates the tranquillity of Paris the reader might see as a stereotype. But it is an endearing one. And not only does his fiction bring hospitable warmth to the reader, but an essence of travel writing paints the city as irresistible.

‘When spring came, even the false spring, there were no problems except where to be happiest’, writes Hemingway, demonstrating his inapt ability to write pleasingly. Although not a tale of any specific genre, A Moveable Feast offers a gratifying depiction of a simple and charming time. It is probable that Hemingway eludes the matters of alcoholism and gambling addiction that are ever so slightly insinuated throughout, due to his likely intent of crafting an effortless and pleasant read; nothing intricate, just a mere depiction of a happy time. Perhaps he just found a pen and began to write.