Hemingway started the novel in 1946 and worked on the manuscript for the next 15 years, during which time he also wrote The Old Man and the Sea, The Dangerous Summer, A Moveable Feast, and Islands in the Stream.

The story begins with their honeymoon in the Camargue, then moves to Spain, then back to France (at a "long low rose-colored Provençal house where they had stayed before... in the pines on the Estérel side of la Napoule" (within easy driving distance to Cannes).

While at le Grau du Roi, Catherine announces "I have a big surprise",[2] but does not tell David what it is other than to hint "Oh it's very simple but it's very complicated"[3] and "...I'm going to be changed.

David's relationship with his wife deteriorates as she stops adhering to the gender roles expected of her—sometimes acting jealous of both Marita and his work, then reversing herself.

"[9]) David (who has been somewhat passive in his reactions so far) really starts to react, however, when Catherine suddenly declares that she had "made decisions and planned things", which turns out to mean that she's going to "have the [narrative] manuscript typed up to where it is now and see about getting illustrations.

I'm sorry I ever married you--"[16] Catherine then announces that she is going to leave for Paris "to see about artists for the book [the "narrative"]" and that she will pay him for the destroyed "stories".

The Garden of Eden indicates Hemingway's exploration of male-female relationships, shows an interest in androgynous characters, and "the reversal of gender roles.

"[19] Mellow argues the genesis of the story began during Hemingway's honeymoon with his second wife, Pauline Pfeiffer, and shortly after his divorce from Hadley Richardson.

[23] The manuscript of The Garden of Eden "exists in three irreconcilable drafts of varying lengths", the longest of which was chosen to be the basis for the published text.

The publisher's note explains that cuts were made to the novel, and according to biographers, Hemingway had achieved 48 chapters and 200,000 words.

"[18] In The New Republic, Barbara Probst Solomon decried it as a “travesty”, saying “I can report that Hemingway’s publisher has committed a literary crime.”[23] Nevertheless, the novel was included alongside A Farewell to Arms and The Sun Also Rises on Harold Bloom's list of books comprising the Western canon.

[26] A film adaptation of The Garden of Eden was released in 2008 at the RomaCinemaFest and had a limited investors' screening in the UK.

The ensemble cast featured Jack Huston, Mena Suvari, Caterina Murino, Richard E. Grant, and Carmen Maura.