Book Synopsis:
In 1937, courageous and independent Martha Gellhorn travels to Madrid to report on the atrocities of the Spanish Civil War, and finds herself drawn to the stories of ordinary people caught in devastating conflict. She also finds herself unexpectedly – and uncontrollably – falling in love with Ernest Hemingway, a man already on his way to being a legend. In the shadow of the impending Second World War, and set against the tumultuous backdrops of Madrid, Finland, China, and especially Cuba, where Martha and Hemingway made their home, their relationship and professional careers ignite.
But when Hemingway publishes the biggest literary success of his career, they are no longer equals, and Martha must make a choice: surrender to the suffocating demands of a domestic lifestyle, or risk losing her husband by forging her way as her own woman and writer. It is a dilemma that will force her to break his heart, and her own.
Based on a true story:
Martha Gellhorn was one of the greatest war correspondents of the 20th century
FOR WHOM THE BELLS TOLLS was dedicated to Martha, and inspired by the time they were together in Spain. It was Hemingway’s most successful book to date, it sold half a million copies within months, was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, and triumphantly reestablished his literary reputation.
Love And Ruin is available to buy now in ebook and in hardback on the 7th June. You can purchase or pre-order your copy here.
My Review:
I’m a huge fan of historical fiction thars based around real life characters. I love being able to look them up and find out more about them.
Love And Ruin follows Martha Gellhorn as she meets Ernest Hemingway and becomes a war correspondent during the civil war. The author has a fantastic way of capturing the atmosphere of that time. The Fear and uncertainty everyone feels is almost palpable at times. I admired their courage in the face of the unknown. The patriotic spirit and sense of optimism shown by the Spanish was wonderful to read about, though a little poignant as we know how things turn out.
I knew from previous books about Martha & Ernest that I would love the two main characters. I’ve not read a book from Martha’s point of view before or one that gets behind the character, which was really fascinating to read about. I definitely felt that I knew Martha a little better by the end of the book. Martha is a very determined woman who knows what she wants and works hard to achieve it. Her bravery in journeying to Spain alone and the courage she shows in certain situations in the book was brilliant to read about. She is a little niave some times, hoping that everything would magically fall into place but I think that was part of her charm and made me like her all the more.
The author’s depiction of Ernest was spot on and exactly as I’ve always imagined he’d be like. He really comes to life in the pages and I found I wanted to read on to find out what he’d do next. Ernest Hemingway is one of the top historical characters I’d love to meet as I think he’d be very interesting and fun to talk to.
The only thing that stops this book being 5 stars is that the pace is quite slow. This didn’t matter to me as I love reading books about this period and I enjoyed the author’s descriptions of Ernest and Martha’s growing relationship. However some readers may find it hard going. I’d recommend continuing though as this is a fantastic story about a remarkable woman that deserves to be read.
Huge thanks to William Upcott and Little Brown for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book.
About The Author:
Paula McLain was born in Fresno, California in 1965. After being abandoned by both parents, she and her two sisters became wards of the California Court System, moving in and out of various foster homes for the next fourteen years. When she aged out of the system, she supported herself by working as a nurses aid in a convalescent hospital, a pizza delivery girl, an auto-plant worker, a cocktail waitress–before discovering she could (and very much wanted to) write. She received her MFA in poetry from the University of Michigan in 1996.
She is the author of The Paris Wife, a New York Times and international bestseller, which has been published in thirty-four languages. The recipient of fellowships from Yaddo, The MacDowell Colony, the Cleveland Arts Prize, the Ohio Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, she is also the author of two collections of poetry; a memoir, Like Family, Growing up in Other People’s Houses; and a first novel, A Ticket to Ride. She lives with her family in Cleveland.
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Over The Rainbow Blog 
Sounds fascinating.
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Fab review sounds like a good one!
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