Pentimento: A Book of Portraits (Back Bay Books)

This is a autobiography of sorts, with re-remembered people Hellman knew and loved. There is Beth, there is Willy, and there is Julia- The story of Julia is the most moving, and Hellman does not shy from revealing her own insecurities, and fears, and courage. I had read this book way back in 1979. I knew I wanted to re-read it and saved my original paper-back- Unfortunately the print is now too small for me to read, and I re-read it in a more recent re-print. Buy it. Read it.

I do not have the knowledge or tools to judge whether Hellman has written the truth here. However, what I do know is that it is splendidly written in a quirky style, which I studied when younger, and the stories are full of psychological depth and personal reflection. While I find her plays and scripts somewhat shallow with easy-to-label characters and rather obvious messages, I admit that I liked this book as a fully realized work of art.While I do think it matters if she consciously fictionalized her life as some have charged, whatever the facts this is a good read. I will leave it to scholars and critics to hash out the debate.There are many memorable scenes that live in my mind: her floating in a storm and remembering an incident of killing a snapping turtle, with reminiscences of Hammett as her great love. The scene wanders into a rumination of death and loss, which I thought was real literature. Of course, there is the story of Julia, but there are many other notable scenes, like Hemingway competing with Hammett over his spoon-bending abilities. It is also a window into the past that is vividly rendered.Warmly recommended.

I first read Pentimento when I was in my 20's. Now that I'm in my 70's it remains my favorite. I guess that's a considerable recommendation since conservatively speaking I have read well over 5,000 books...that's a guesstimate since I'm too tired from "staying put" to actually figure it out.... it is the one book that has remained with me throughout many book purges. This book has two other Hellman stories and I've of course read them but Pentimento stays with me always. Have never read what I consider "trash" and the heigth of boredom: romance novels or just boring: science fiction, too often poorly written. Have traveled through every other genre and this remains my favorite. Go figure.

This is, by far, one of the best written books I've ever read. It's about family and friends, both of which are probably quite different than your own...don't let that put you off. It's live accounts of times we probably all wish we'd been able to enjoy ourselves, and of some that we'd probably like to forget. It's funny and lively and thoughtful and one of my very favorite books. I've read it twice, once in my 20's and again in my 50's, and it's only gotten better. Just read it.

A somewhat melancholy but endearing account of some of the many people Lillian Hellman met over the years. The chapter on “Julia” was turned into a lovely film with Jane Fonda & Vanessa Redgrave! I very much enjoyed Pentimento.

Book carefully shipped and in perfect condition

Received the book promptly. However, the book itself was not representative of the way it was described. I have ordered used books on many, many occasions and always I was not disappointed upon receiving them. This time the book was described as VERY GOOD with some minor details that would still make the book a bargain. However, when I got it I was disappointed because the book was not as described. I would describe the book as ACCEPTABLE. I am fortunate to receive PENTIMENTO, just sorry that the condition of the book was not as described.