That Summer in Paris - Paperback

That Summer in Paris: A Literary Memoir of 1929

Morley Callaghan's That Summer in Paris chronicles the extraordinary summer of 1929 when Paris became the literary capital of North America. This firsthand account captures the moment when Ernest Hemingway was reading proofs of A Farewell to Arms while F. Scott Fitzgerald struggled with Tender Is the Night just blocks away on La Rive Gauche.

A Firsthand Account of Literary Giants

As his first published book gained recognition in New York, Callaghan arrived in Paris to experience the creative ferment of the Left Bank alongside Hemingway, Fitzgerald, James Joyce, Ford Madox Ford, and Robert McAlmon. This memoir reveals the complex relationships between these literary figures—friendships that flourished and others that failed during that pivotal summer.

What This Edition Includes

This expanded edition features Callaghan's original memoir written in his characteristically lucid and compassionate prose. Beyond the main narrative, readers gain access to individual essays on Hemingway, Joyce, Fitzgerald, and McAlmon, providing deeper insight into each writer's character and work. Callaghan also reflects on his return to Paris 60 years later, offering perspective on how the city and its literary legacy had changed. The volume concludes with discussion questions and related readings, making it suitable for book clubs and academic study.

About Morley Callaghan

Morley Callaghan authored numerous works including It's Never Over, The New Yorker Stories, Strange Fugitive, Such Is My Beloved, and The Vow. His literary contributions earned him nominations for both the Nobel Prize in Literature and the Canadian Governor General's Award for Fiction. He died in 1990, leaving behind this invaluable record of one of literature's most celebrated periods.

Why This Memoir Matters

That Summer in Paris offers an intimate portrait of the Lost Generation writers during the Jazz Age. Unlike academic histories, Callaghan writes as a participant and peer, providing authentic details about the daily lives, working methods, and personal dynamics of these literary legends. His observations capture the creative energy and personal tensions that defined this remarkable moment in literary history.