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Gary's avatar

Eh? Stein was right, Communism was even worse that fascism: Stalin began the War as the genocidaire of Ukraine and ally of Hitler. By 1954 he had killed far more than Hitler did and had his book over eastern Europe's throat; Soviet Communism was certainly worse than fascism.

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June Girvin's avatar

Thanks for this encouraging review. I have this book on my 'to buy' list but haven't taken the step yet.

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Henry Oliver's avatar

She reads it very nicely on audio too

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Larisa Rimerman's avatar

Thank you for introducing a new book about Gertrude Stein, or rather, Stein's An Afterlife. I loved The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas, as everybody knows, written by Stein.I loved the atmosphere of the friendships and quarrels of those not yet famous artists. Guielaume Apolinaiir was my favorite poet of that time. I wouldn't trust Alice Toklas' opinion about him or anybody else. Who was or could have been Alice Toklas without Gertrude Stein? Or relations with Hemingway? I would love to read a new book. I love Paris at that time, the 20s to 40s of the 20th century.

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Caroline Spearing's avatar

Why didn’t you like Square Haunting? I was a bit disappointed by it but assumed that’s because I’m an intellectual lightweight.

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Henry Oliver's avatar

All a bit miserable and samey? and iirc one of the subjects didn't even achieve very much?

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Caroline Spearing's avatar

I think you mean Eileen Power? I had high hopes for the book (early twentieth century feminism is one of my Things). I felt the individual subjects didn’t speak much to each other and the location felt more of a convenient peg than a meaningful thread. It was a while ago though…

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Able Baker's avatar

Empty of what, exactly?

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Larry Bone's avatar

Thankful she wasn't reading Conrad or Moby DIck. Maybe Hemingway seemed really empty to her like many or most men. Yet Gertrude seemed manly in positive ways if there are any. Each to their own.

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