R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas Illustrated on + 1438 more book reviews
An American by birth, Gertrude Stein lived primarily in France, where she opened her home to writers, painters, sculptors and artists of all kinds. She became friends with Picasso with whom she talked long hours about all matter of things. Supporting the morose Juan Gris, she always had time for him and his work to the chagrin of Picasso. Conversation among them was intense and lively.
As I read this book I marveled at the number of people she knew. I recognized many of the painters and a number of the writers. When Stein met Hemingway he was a newspaper man who wanted to be a âwriter.â Well, she admonished him, do it. Stop with the newspaper work because it will do nothing for your writing. He did so.
Stein herself wrote poems, books and portraits about the people she knew. Earlier works focused on what she felt was inside these individuals. Later she tried to write about what was outside. Finally, the portraits became a combination of the two. And, she asked Alice B. Toklas, her partner to write an autobiography. Alice did not find time to do it so Stein said she would do it for her. So she did from Alice's viewpoint.
This is an interesting novel if a bit daunting. It's a bit hard to keep track of all the people Stein encountered. Yet, the illustrations by Maira Kalman are absolutely stunning. I found myself reading quickly at times to gaze at these lovely pages.
As I read this book I marveled at the number of people she knew. I recognized many of the painters and a number of the writers. When Stein met Hemingway he was a newspaper man who wanted to be a âwriter.â Well, she admonished him, do it. Stop with the newspaper work because it will do nothing for your writing. He did so.
Stein herself wrote poems, books and portraits about the people she knew. Earlier works focused on what she felt was inside these individuals. Later she tried to write about what was outside. Finally, the portraits became a combination of the two. And, she asked Alice B. Toklas, her partner to write an autobiography. Alice did not find time to do it so Stein said she would do it for her. So she did from Alice's viewpoint.
This is an interesting novel if a bit daunting. It's a bit hard to keep track of all the people Stein encountered. Yet, the illustrations by Maira Kalman are absolutely stunning. I found myself reading quickly at times to gaze at these lovely pages.
