Love and Ruin

A Novel

By: Paula McLain

Narrated by: January LaVoy

Length: 11 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best seller.

The best-selling author of The Paris Wife returns to the subject of Ernest Hemingway in a novel about his passionate, stormy marriage to Martha Gellhorn - a fiercely independent, ambitious woman ahead of her time who would become one of the greatest war correspondents of the 20th century.

Named one of the best books of the year by The Washington Post, New York Public Library, Bloomberg, and Real Simple.

In 1937, 28-year-old Martha Gellhorn travels alone to Madrid to report on the atrocities of the Spanish Civil War and becomes drawn to the stories of ordinary people caught in the devastating conflict. It's her chance to prove herself a worthy journalist in a field dominated by men. There she also finds herself unexpectedly - and unwillingly - falling in love with Ernest Hemingway, a man on his way to becoming a legend.

On the eve of World War II, and set against the turbulent backdrops of Madrid and Cuba, Martha and Ernest's relationship and careers ignite. But when Ernest publishes the biggest literary success of his career, For Whom the Bell Tolls, they are no longer equals, and Martha must forge a path as her own woman and writer.

Heralded by Ann Patchett as “the new star of historical fiction”, Paula McLain brings Gellhorn’s story richly to life and captures her as a heroine for the ages: a woman who will risk absolutely everything to find her own voice.

Praise for Love and Ruin:

“In this heart-tugging follow-up [to The Paris Wife], we meet Martha Gellhorn, a correspondent during the Spanish Civil War, who was the third - and perhaps most intriguing - of [Hemingway's] wives. The title says it all.” (People)

“Propulsive...highly engaging.... McLain does an excellent job portraying a woman with dreams who isn’t afraid to make them real.... Her work around the world...is presented in meticulous, hair-raising passages.... The book is fueled by her questing spirit, which asks, Why must a woman decide between being a war correspondent and a wife in her husband’s bed?” (The New York Times Book Review)

“[The] scenes of professional rivalry and seesawing imbalance are some of McLain’s best.... McLain’s legions of fans will relish the inspiration of a gutsy woman who discovers she doesn’t need a man at her side, after all.” (The Boston Globe)

©2018 Paula McLain (P)2018 Random House Audio

Outstanding

This title was exceptional in every way. Martha Gelhorn was certainly an interesting and admirable character. How she got stuck w/ Hemingway is anybody's guess.

A Love Story

Listening to this novel I was carried away to a different time and place. It was pure pleasure

Loved this book!

I loved this book. Great writing and story.
It is interesting to follow history as well.

Wonderful read

I loved this book - well written, insightful and absorbing. The reader was terrific too b

View into history and Martha Gellhorns life

This book gives an intimate view of what led up to World War II and the war itself. Martha Gellhorn deserves this book. She was a remarkable war correspondent who really is known for being Hemingway’s third wife. She was an amazing journalist and writer. This book does her proud. Well worth reading.

a pleasant surprise

I typically don't choose historical fiction or love stories. I chose this because January LaVoy is the narrator. She was brilliant as always and the story was captivating and well written.

Compelling woman

The narrative was excellent which only enhanced an excellent story about a compelling woman I’ve learned more about ……

Doomed Romance

This couple's (Ernest Hemingway and Martha Gellhorn) relationship seemed doomed from the beginning. Martha should have followed her original instincts and not married Ernest. Both parties were at fault for the failure of this marriage, but in this book, Gellhorn appeared to be quite self-centered. I didn't care for her constant, "but what about me and my career" attitude. It is hard for me to like a book, if I do not like the personality of the main characters. I listened to the audible version of this book and enjoyed the narrator's "Hemingway voice."

Narrator

I thought this was a middle of the road book. If I had read it instead of listening to it my opinion may be different. I did not feel like the voice of the narrator contributed to the story and did not reflect the qualities I imagined Gellhorn to have therefore I did not really connect with the story.

great book

loved it. introduced me to lives of Ernest Hemingway & Martha Gelhorn
very moving.