I’ve always been a fan of triggering intense dialogue. Perhaps I was a friend of Socrates in ancient times; maybe I participated in instigating through questions, forcing people to think about their thinking and all they stand for. Maybe it’s just my Leo Moon who enjoys a bit of confrontation and likes to play Devil’s Advocate. Who knows?
I am well aware that 90% of people, once they hold firmly to a position, will not sway or budge or reconsider their position, despite whatever truth or logic you throw at them. Perhaps that is a result of pride. Maybe it’s a result of blind loyalty to an outcome. Whatever it is, it’s a lack of wisdom, Ego, and humility — and there are two subjects where I also lack that humility (but certainly not the wisdom and my Ego earned it’s place): Paris and Hemingway.
Recently, I read an article on Forbes discussing the literary spots around Paris. Of course, if you know me even half as well as you think you do, you know I ran off to Paris to pursue my literary dreams, so I know a thing or two about the secret (and not so secret) literary wonders of the city I once called home. And, quite obviously, I know a lot about Hemingway.
I know a lot about the city in which my husband was born. I spent eight years dreaming about calling Paris home. I read quite possibly every book you can find (published before 2018) about Paris before I took the leap there, myself. I collected them like one collects memories, hoarding them in corners of my home and corners of my mind. I thought about Paris 24/7, and I dreamt about Paris at night. I know a thing or two about Paris. Just a thing or two.
Now, this article made a mistake that is so common but was rather shocking to see on the “reputable” website that is Forbes: it stated that the bookstore Shakespeare and Co., located at point zero next to Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral in the 4th arrondissement, was the literary haven frequented by many, including Hemingway. THIS IS PROFOUNDLY WRONG.
It’s so wrong, it angers me that it continues to come up, again and again. I bet you’re reading this now and not believing how it could be wrong, as well. So, I wrote to Forbes and told them the author of the article was incorrect, and the author went back to the editors with a photo of Hemingway reading in the “second store” and that I was the one who was incorrect.
Do not argue with me on two things: Paris and Hemingway (especially Hemingway in Paris).
Dear reader—and dear author, should he stumble upon this blog in the rage of searching for the woman who called out his error—let me tell you why this is wrong and why this perpetual lie enrages me as much as it does. I will do it in a simple timeline format:
- Sylvia Beach opens up her bookstore Shakespeare and Co. in 1919. It was located at 8 rue Dupuytren in the 6th arrondissement of Paris.
- In 1921, Sylvia Beach moved Shakespeare and Co. to a larger location at 12 rue de l’Odéon, also in the 6th arrondissement.
- Sylvia Beach closed down Shakespeare and Company in December 1941 during the German occupation of Paris in World War II. She never reopened the store after the war.
- In 1951, George Whitman opened a new English-language bookstore in Paris initially named “Le Mistral,” located at Point Zero in the 4th arrondissment of Paris and after Sylvia Beach’s death in 1962, he renamed it “Shakespeare and Company” in her honor. George Whitman (and co. – his family ) have been profiting off the name and it’s legacy for 62 years.
- Hemingway’s last visit to Paris was in 1960 – two years before the official renaming of Le Mistral. He never visited this bookstore. He died before it was renamed.
WHITMAN HAS BEEN PROFITING OFF THE NAME AND IT’S LEGACY FOR 62 YEARS.
They never correct the oblivious tourists who run to Shakespeare and Co. and want to “step in the shoes” of the legends of yore. And so many people continue to perpetuate this lie through articles like the one I found on Forbes. This lie makes them a lot of money. This lie is what brings in millions of tourists to Shakespeare and Co. every single year. It’s what allowed them to expand and open up a cafe. It’s what enables them to have the snobbiest and most self-righteous staff working behind the desk. They wear the crown that they robbed from dead Sylvia Beach, and they wear it with great ego and pride.
During the dreaded endemic we called a pandemic, they sent out an email to former patrons, now home, asking for donations. Donations? What have you been doing with the millions of euros you make yearly from holding fast to the lie behind your name? This is not a small little bookshop with a rich history, it’s a large enterprise with a stolen history. Much smaller bookshops in Paris, bookshops with greater heart and greater authenticity truly required those donations, not Shakespeare and Co..
Is it a beautiful bookstore? Absolutely. Does it likely have it’s own rich history? Of course. But does that excuse not correcting this lie that gets spread like wildfire? Certainly not. Misleading vulnerable tourists (I used to be one) is horrible. Misleading writers across the world is horrible. Misleading bibliophiles is horrible (I’ve had to correct so many). But the lie continues, and they continue to profit.
For the author to hold fast onto it and say I was the one who was wrong just shows how easily one may hold onto lies as truth, just because they don’t want to be wrong (lack of wisdom), don’t like to be wrong (pride), or have completely internalized the lie as truth and nothing can convince them otherwise (Ego).
So, next time you won’t listen to someone who challenges you, or you’re presented with an opposing viewpoint to a topic you were sure you knew so much about, perhaps ask yourself if you’re holding onto your truth due to a lack of wisdom, pride, or your ego. Then maybe consider what the other person has to say with an open mind.
If you want to learn more about my journey to Paris from Canada, check out my book The Transformational Path. If you want to work with me as a spiritual healer or need help navigating ego and pride, check out my services through Seeking Celestial Grace and Awakened Little Souls.
xx C
Hemingway Never Visited Shakespeare and Co.: Correcting Historical Errors
Why Shakespeare and Co. Isn’t the Literary Haven You Think It Is
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