Janelle C. (jscrappy) reviewed on 6/30/2010 + 59 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 2

The story of Gerald and Sara Murphy is one that should be better known. Born to privileged families, the Murphys decided early on in their marriage that they wanted something different than the bland society whirl of upper-crust Americans. They moved their family to the French Riviera in the early 1920's (before it became a summer vacation destination) and established themselves at the center of a group of the most important artists of the early 20th century.

Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, Dorothy Parker, John Dos Passos, Robert Benchley, and F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald were just a few of the people who called the Murphys their friends. They lived a charmed life--until the end of the 1920's brought with it the end of the financial good times and tremendous personal loss as well.

This is an excellent bio of the Murphys, drawing heavily on their personal correspondence and their daughter's memories. It's also an exploration of friendship and the bonds that draw people--even iconic people--together. I enjoyed it very much.

Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details