This is my first book by Paula McLain, and I think she is a very good author. I liked her style of writing. She drew me into the story right from the beginning and her descriptions of all the different countries were so realistic. This is the story of Martha Gellhorn, a famous war correspondent. Her career began in 1937 when she went to Madrid to cover the Spanish Civil War. While she was there she met and fell in love with Ernest Hemingway. Eventually they get married, but their marriage does not last long because he is threatened by her need to be successful. I know it is important that she was married to Hemingway, but I hope she can be remembered for all she did. She risked her life many times for the sake of reporting what was going on in war torn countries. She continued to follow her career path all of her life, and became a great journalist (even though she was a woman). Highly recommend!

A wonderful story about Ernest Hemingway and the female journalist who loved him but I could not finish it.

LOVE AND RUIN might be Paula McLain's best historical novel yet. Fans of The Paris Wife and Circling the Sun will love this latest work, which tells the fascinating story of Martha Gellhorn--wife to Ernest Hemingway and a successful writer and war correspondent in her own right. The plot is a little bit of a slow build, but I think this was a smart move on McLain's part. Since the story is really about Marty, it's nice to get her background upfront and to understand who she was - including her hopes and dreams - before she met Hemingway. Marty's personality shines through even in times of war and the novel's ending feels well-deserved. McLain's writing throughout has the feel of a poet; I especially appreciate her careful and delicate word choice and the way she sets the mood in diverse settings. Five stars.

Enjoyed this book immensely. Great writing, interesting and strong protagonist. Story is filled with war, drama and lots of interesting locales. Thank you for the opportunity!

This is a story of Martha Gellhorn, a remarkable woman who “became one of the twentieth century’s most significant and celebrated war correspondents, reporting on virtually every major conflict for sixty years – from the Spanish Civil War to the Bay of Pigs, from Vietnam to El Salvador to Panama, where she covered the invasion at the age of eighty-one.”

As the story is told by Marty herself, it makes the story very credible. Her voice is raw. Right away she comes across as a woman of strong character, a true traveler at heart, who doesn’t necessarily want to be committed to one place. “It seemed imperative not only to be on the move, and feeling things, but also to be my own person, and to live my own life, and not anyone else’s.”

The author’s incredible writing reflects a true character of this remarkable woman. This is the first book, which makes me see Ernest Hemingway in a different light as a likeable person. This grasping story, evoking human emotions will linger with you long after you’re done reading.

At Key West, while with her family, Marty meets Hemingway. He encourages her to join him to go to Spain and report on war as many others will be doing.

In March 1937, she makes her way to Madrid. She travels with Hemingway to different towns lying in ruins, and to battalions observing and talking to soldiers. While absorbing all this, it evokes her senses, putting her objective writing in question. She admires Spaniards for their spirit, still dancing as they say: better to die on feet than knees.

Until the beginning of 1939 she travels on between US and Europe and continues to report on the situation that the war is no longer a question if it happens, but when.

In February 1939, they travel to Cuba, where they change gears and each work on writing a book. Later she becomes his third wife.

While being in Hemingway’s shadow, Marty realizes how much she enjoys the challenges of being at front line as a war correspondent “…where things of real consequence were happening. That’s where I felt alive, and useful and involved.”

As she earns her respect as a war correspondent, and is gone for months at a time, Ernest keeps slipping into a darker and darker place as he doesn’t do well on his own. He needs a constant companionship.

As she continues to follow her passion and calling, their paths drift apart more and more.

The book is another fantastic installment from McLain. It’s really a sensational story about such fiery and famous and tough people. The period, the feeling, the whole tapestry is marvelous, and I’m sorry the book is done. Best that I’ve read in ages.

Paula McLain is a master of Historical Fiction. I loved everything about this book. The perfect blend of fact and fiction and an extraordinarily prescient and thoughtful story considering today's political climate.

Getting to know Martha Gellhorn, a war correspondent for 60 years, during her relationship with Ernest Hemingway was fascinating. A brave and talented women ahead of her time.