Helpful Score: 1
The Only Woman in the Room
Marie Benedict's historical fiction centers on a compelling main character: Hedwig Kiesler. Never heard of her? Neither had I. Otherwise known as Hedy Lamarr? I had heard that name, although I didn't know anything about the famous actress of the mid-twentieth century until I read Benedict's novel, which gave me insight into one decade of the life of the sultry screen star - and scientist.
The narrative unspools chronologically in two parts, divided by time, geography, and most importantly, Hedy's main "role." The first, 1933-1937, takes place primarily in Austria, where Hedy, a non-practicing Jew embarking on an illustrious career as an actress, has to decide between the stage or the home; Friedrich "Fritz" Mandl makes her choose between being an actress or a wife. Despite Hedy's lauded skill at portraying other characters and the gossip swirling around her wealthy suitor (the "Merchant of Death" due to his suspicious political connections and munitions contracts, with arms sometimes simultaneously issued for opposing sides of conflict), she agrees to join her life to the man who overwhelms her with flower bouquets and lavish praise. Hedy, as "trophy wife" in three palatial homes, slowly sees the emergence of a dark, controlling side to Mandl, who eventually locks her away behind a front door with seven locks, guarded by obedient servants. The second part, 1937-1942, finds Hedy having escaped her abusive husband to California, meeting the famous MGM head Mr. Louis B. Mayer and her second husband, screenwriter Gene Markey, and returning to the stage and screen even as she continues to struggle with her reputation as an apt, silent movie siren, just a glamorous "pretty face" with nothing behind it. However, this second marriage also sours, while Hedy joins forces with unlikely confidante and avant-garde musician George Antheil to develop submarine technology in her spare time. Throughout it all, the clouds of WWII hang ever darker and more ponderous.
The ending is abrupt, in the sense that although Hedy finds a way to raise incredible funding for the American war effort, her greatest scientific achievement (a torpedo system with unjammable frequency-hopping, based on player piano technology, with subsequent discoveries upon which our contemporary wi-fi is reliant) is summarily dismissed by the Navy because she is a woman and all of the characters are now deeply embroiled in worldwide conflict with Hitler at the helm. (And Hedy's looks, rather than her intelligence, create her pecuniary triumph in the last chapter). Many questions remain unanswered, either by the narrative or the author's all-too-brief notes at the end. For instance, what happens to Hedy's adopted and adored son Jamesie? Or her first husband Fritz? Or even herself? Quick research reveals that Hedy continued to leave a tempestuous and complex life, with six marriages and divorces. (According to the New York Post, apparently Jamesie may not have been adopted at all but rather was Hedy's out-of-wedlock son with her later-husband John Loder, according to the birth certificate). The point is that, for such a famous person, Hedy Lamarr's life still remains mysterious.
Other aspects of the narrative are lacking, as Benedict jumps from significant moment in Hedy's life to another, sometimes months apart (precise dates begin each chapter), for example, details of the process of Hedy negotiating her mother's escape from Austria to London, then Canada, then America.
As with all historical fiction, several questions are raised. Is Hedy's mother's attitude realistic; was she truly dismissive of Hedy's exceptional beauty? Was Hedy's struggle to invent and be validated for doing so a manifestation of self-imposed "penance" for not warning others of secrets and Hitler's plans that she overheard at Fritz's lavish dinner parties with political figures? Did anyone discover that she was a Jew - a fact she tried to hide while launching her Hollywood career?
Overall, The Only Woman in the Room is a compelling fictional introduction to Hedy Lamarr. Then, the reader has to do his or her own research to learn more.
Marie Benedict's historical fiction centers on a compelling main character: Hedwig Kiesler. Never heard of her? Neither had I. Otherwise known as Hedy Lamarr? I had heard that name, although I didn't know anything about the famous actress of the mid-twentieth century until I read Benedict's novel, which gave me insight into one decade of the life of the sultry screen star - and scientist.
The narrative unspools chronologically in two parts, divided by time, geography, and most importantly, Hedy's main "role." The first, 1933-1937, takes place primarily in Austria, where Hedy, a non-practicing Jew embarking on an illustrious career as an actress, has to decide between the stage or the home; Friedrich "Fritz" Mandl makes her choose between being an actress or a wife. Despite Hedy's lauded skill at portraying other characters and the gossip swirling around her wealthy suitor (the "Merchant of Death" due to his suspicious political connections and munitions contracts, with arms sometimes simultaneously issued for opposing sides of conflict), she agrees to join her life to the man who overwhelms her with flower bouquets and lavish praise. Hedy, as "trophy wife" in three palatial homes, slowly sees the emergence of a dark, controlling side to Mandl, who eventually locks her away behind a front door with seven locks, guarded by obedient servants. The second part, 1937-1942, finds Hedy having escaped her abusive husband to California, meeting the famous MGM head Mr. Louis B. Mayer and her second husband, screenwriter Gene Markey, and returning to the stage and screen even as she continues to struggle with her reputation as an apt, silent movie siren, just a glamorous "pretty face" with nothing behind it. However, this second marriage also sours, while Hedy joins forces with unlikely confidante and avant-garde musician George Antheil to develop submarine technology in her spare time. Throughout it all, the clouds of WWII hang ever darker and more ponderous.
The ending is abrupt, in the sense that although Hedy finds a way to raise incredible funding for the American war effort, her greatest scientific achievement (a torpedo system with unjammable frequency-hopping, based on player piano technology, with subsequent discoveries upon which our contemporary wi-fi is reliant) is summarily dismissed by the Navy because she is a woman and all of the characters are now deeply embroiled in worldwide conflict with Hitler at the helm. (And Hedy's looks, rather than her intelligence, create her pecuniary triumph in the last chapter). Many questions remain unanswered, either by the narrative or the author's all-too-brief notes at the end. For instance, what happens to Hedy's adopted and adored son Jamesie? Or her first husband Fritz? Or even herself? Quick research reveals that Hedy continued to leave a tempestuous and complex life, with six marriages and divorces. (According to the New York Post, apparently Jamesie may not have been adopted at all but rather was Hedy's out-of-wedlock son with her later-husband John Loder, according to the birth certificate). The point is that, for such a famous person, Hedy Lamarr's life still remains mysterious.
Other aspects of the narrative are lacking, as Benedict jumps from significant moment in Hedy's life to another, sometimes months apart (precise dates begin each chapter), for example, details of the process of Hedy negotiating her mother's escape from Austria to London, then Canada, then America.
As with all historical fiction, several questions are raised. Is Hedy's mother's attitude realistic; was she truly dismissive of Hedy's exceptional beauty? Was Hedy's struggle to invent and be validated for doing so a manifestation of self-imposed "penance" for not warning others of secrets and Hitler's plans that she overheard at Fritz's lavish dinner parties with political figures? Did anyone discover that she was a Jew - a fact she tried to hide while launching her Hollywood career?
Overall, The Only Woman in the Room is a compelling fictional introduction to Hedy Lamarr. Then, the reader has to do his or her own research to learn more.
Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
