Love and Ruin

A Novel

De: Paula McLain

Narrado por: January LaVoy

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A powerful novel of the stormy marriage between Ernest Hemingway and Martha Gellhorn, a fiercely independent woman who became one of the greatest war correspondents of the twentieth century—from the author of The Paris Wife and When the Stars Go Dark

“Romance, infidelity, war—Paula McLain’s powerhouse novel has it all.”—Glamour

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The Washington Post • New York Public Library • Bloomberg • Real Simple

In 1937, twenty-eight-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.

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

It was ok.

I can't quite tell why I didn't love this book. I like fiction and strong characters and definitely like the real Martha. I think I was hoping for more about her rather than Hemingway and war. I would say a middle of the road book for me- not bad but likely not memorable.

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.