A study of Lillian Hellman separates fact from fiction to reveal the story of her brief marriage to Arnold Kober, her love affairs, her lawsuit against Mary McCarthy, her politics, and her literary works
Based on many new sources, Rollyson's detailed and balanced biography effectively argues that the playwright, self-centered and harshly authoritarian, orchestrated her life and writing to create the glowing but false image of grande dame and heroine of culture. Four years after her death, he corrects her carefully calculated versions of, for example, her marriage to Arthur Kober and her relationships with director Herman Shumlin, diplomat John Melby, and Dashiell Hammett. He shows the autobiographical basis of the plays and, using the testimony of Mary McCarthy and Diana Trilling, reveals the truth behind Hellman's three self-inflating but less than candid late ``memoirs.'' Provocative reading. Charles C. Nash, Cottey Coll., Nevada, Mo. Copyright 1988 Cahners Business Information.
This critical biography by a dean at Baruch College (and author of Marilyn: A Life of the Actress) is probably the fullest and fairest account yet of ``America's finest radical playwright.'' Rollyson demolishes the Hellman legend and makes a good stab at evaluating the legacy. Based on letters, diaries, FBI files and interviews, this well-balanced book discusses Hellman's plays and other published writings, her work for Hollywood, political involvements and numerous sexual liaisons. Although he deplores her adherence to Stalinism and her frequent deceptions, Rollyson tries to understand Hellman's conceits and compulsions, her grande dame manner, her love of gifts, money, attention and celebrity. An authoritarian who professed to be a great democrat, she portrayed herself as ``the genuine article''a feisty, tactless truth-teller. She ``longed for a beauty she did not have and would compensate by sleeping around and by getting even with more attractive women.'' An incompetent director, she disliked actors, and many of those who appeared in her plays hated her, Rollyson contends, but her former lovers remained fascinated, and she could be generous to old friends. These contradictions enhanced Hellman's reputation and make this a compulsively readable biography. Photos not seen by PW. (May) Copyright 1988 Cahners Business Information.
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