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jrmarr's review against another edition
3.0
This densely packed biography reads like a history of the twentieth century. Gellhorn was an interesting and complex woman; a writer compelled to report on the world as she sees it, however unpopular that was. While generally interesting, I did find it occasionally repetitive and tiresome, and it took me quite some time to get into it. All in all, I'm glad I persisted with it, but I'm also glad that I'm finally finished it.
ridgewaygirl's review against another edition
4.0
Martha Gellhorn did not like that her accomplishments were overshadowed by having been Ernest Hemingway's third wife. She would most like to be known for her now-forgotten novels. What she deserves to be remembered for is her ground-breaking war reporting that paved the way for women to report from conflict zones.
This biography is a thorough look at Gellhorn's life, with care taken to center her life and activities within the history and politics of the time. And with Gellhorn being a regular visitor to the Roosevelt White House, breaking into journalism with reports on the living conditions of mill workers in North Carolina and Massachusetts during the Depression, being on the ground in Spain during the Spanish Civil War and reporting during the Second World War, including being among the first reporters on the beaches on D-Day, this makes for interesting reading. She traveled all over Europe during the last days of the war, including riding through Italy with the soldiers fighting and a post-liberation visit to the Dachau concentration camp. Later, she'd visit both Israel and try to get a pass to report on the Vietnam War.
The book bogs down in the final third, when Gellhorn's life becomes less about her career and more about her disappointments with aging and relationships. She was not a good mother and when the book turned to detailing things like how many times she humiliated her son or the time her cats peed on the sofa, I found my love for this detailed book waning. I'd recommend it for the first two-thirds and suggest skipping the rest. She was an important historical figure, but certainly not an unproblematic one.
This biography is a thorough look at Gellhorn's life, with care taken to center her life and activities within the history and politics of the time. And with Gellhorn being a regular visitor to the Roosevelt White House, breaking into journalism with reports on the living conditions of mill workers in North Carolina and Massachusetts during the Depression, being on the ground in Spain during the Spanish Civil War and reporting during the Second World War, including being among the first reporters on the beaches on D-Day, this makes for interesting reading. She traveled all over Europe during the last days of the war, including riding through Italy with the soldiers fighting and a post-liberation visit to the Dachau concentration camp. Later, she'd visit both Israel and try to get a pass to report on the Vietnam War.
The book bogs down in the final third, when Gellhorn's life becomes less about her career and more about her disappointments with aging and relationships. She was not a good mother and when the book turned to detailing things like how many times she humiliated her son or the time her cats peed on the sofa, I found my love for this detailed book waning. I'd recommend it for the first two-thirds and suggest skipping the rest. She was an important historical figure, but certainly not an unproblematic one.
redwavereads's review against another edition
3.0
Amazing life to read about. Gellhorn was a truly unique person and so much of her passion and her definition of a good life spoke to me.
There are some truly scandalous things in her life, that I didn’t expect and I’m glad, this biography exists.
There are some truly scandalous things in her life, that I didn’t expect and I’m glad, this biography exists.
jeanetterenee's review against another edition
5.0
Martha Gellhorn. What a broad! I love learning about women of yesteryear who refused to inhabit the prescribed female roles. I admire Martha's grit and tenacity as a journalist, and I envy her life of world travel.
I do wish she hadn't been so foolish as to marry, of all the jealous rotten rogues, Ernest Hemingway. But I suppose she can be forgiven, considering that she fell in love with him in a war zone while she was covering the Spanish Civil War. It would have been tempting to cling to a strong, manly fellow American for comfort under those circumstances. And Hem was said to be extremely charming and persuasive while in pursuit of a woman. Fortunately for Martha, it was just temporary insanity. The marriage only lasted about four years.
I do wish she hadn't been so foolish as to marry, of all the jealous rotten rogues, Ernest Hemingway. But I suppose she can be forgiven, considering that she fell in love with him in a war zone while she was covering the Spanish Civil War. It would have been tempting to cling to a strong, manly fellow American for comfort under those circumstances. And Hem was said to be extremely charming and persuasive while in pursuit of a woman. Fortunately for Martha, it was just temporary insanity. The marriage only lasted about four years.
nikkigee81's review
4.0
I found this biography from the source material for Beautiful Exiles, and was intrigued. I didn't know much about Martha Gellhorn prior to reading that book and wanted to know more.
This is a thoroughly researched biography, penned by a woman whose mother was close friends with Martha. Lots of primary source materials, such as letters, were used.
Martha Gellhorn was a fascinating woman, but also maddening. Intrepid, fearless, but also cold and distant. It's obvious she didn't quite think through what adopting a child would do to her life. You can't just go traipsing around to multiple countries when you have a kid. And she just stuck Sandy with nannies all the time! Ridiculous.
I do want to read some of her own work now, though.
This is a thoroughly researched biography, penned by a woman whose mother was close friends with Martha. Lots of primary source materials, such as letters, were used.
Martha Gellhorn was a fascinating woman, but also maddening. Intrepid, fearless, but also cold and distant. It's obvious she didn't quite think through what adopting a child would do to her life. You can't just go traipsing around to multiple countries when you have a kid. And she just stuck Sandy with nannies all the time! Ridiculous.
I do want to read some of her own work now, though.
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