... a vivid portrayal ... Christian masterfully transports readers to Picasso's studio in Paris and to the Ritz Bar where the couple drank with Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir ... Christian regales readers with stories from around the world, revealing the life of one of the most iconic literary couples. He also chronicles Mary's illustrious journalism career and her meetings with world leaders such as Fidel Castro and John F. Kennedy, setting the record straight that Martha Gellhorn was not the only respected reporter whom Hemingway married.
... this biography will be treasured by Hemingway fans and scholars ... It is not a pretty story, though, especially for those of us who admire Hemingway’s work and who found the Burns series quite moving in its empathy for Ernest as a man. Because Mary is often as unlikable as Ernest could be ... Christian presents a vivid picture, plunging the reader into their daily life ... although Christian ends his biography with a litany of her virtues, I was left with a bad taste in my mouth about this sometimes brave and compelling, yet often resentful and puzzling, woman. And a gut feeling that perhaps this last marriage, which seemed to break Ernest’s spirit, might have not been the very good thing that Mary’s biographer sincerely believes it was.
Christian’s meticulous archival research, interviews with people who knew Mary Hemingway, and quotes from her memoir, How It Was, strive to paint an honest portrait and fresh analysis of her complex life ... The initial five chapters, which focus only on Mary, prove the most insightful and are an enchanting read about the petite blonde’s bold spirit ... Christian creates sympathy for her. After Hemingway’s death, the book skews off course into a series of separate essays as Mary tenaciously protects his legacy.
... level-headed ... Hemingway-heads will find much to pore over here, but no one comes out of it well ... Christian does an admirable job of painting a vivid picture of Welsh in the early years of her life ... despite Christian’s valiant attempt, she cannot be pulled out of Ernest Hemingway’s long shadow.
