Love Affair: A Memoir of Jackson Pollock

by Ruth Kligman

An intimate and revealing portrait. - George Plimpton

Genres: Art, Memoir

221 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wish there was an introduction to this book. Does the author have a photographic memory? How did they retain all that dialogue? Or is it historical fiction? Fantasy? Regardless, the writing left little to be desired. It felt like every sentence was 3-7 words and overly “drippy” (as in ‘my darling, I love you so’). Jackson Pollock was notoriously quiet yet he talks and talks here. But we weren’t there so what do I know. Well, I know I didn’t like this book.

[Petri De Schepper]

I once had the opportunity to buy this one in NYC... but lack of funds forced me not buying it. Still regret it to this day I wasn't able to buy it at the time. It would be an awesome edition in my Pollock collection of 44 books and exhibition catalogues!

[Cheryl Lucero · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted a grand Love Affair
And in depth character development of an abstract artist
I got a toxic relationship
With 150 pages describing the ways a man can cry over nothing at all

[Lisa Attanasio · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well. Not sure what to say about this one: a tale of two narcissists. It left me with a lot of questions.
For starters, the book is written almost like a novel, with full dialogue. Did she remember all that dialogue precisely, and how? I'm no Pollock scholar, but I have to imagine that it was invented because Ruth's and Pollock's voice sound very much the same. Is it truly a memoir or is it Ruth Kligman fan fiction written by Ruth Kligman?
SPOILER AHEAD!
Ruth claims to have had a premonition that she would die in a car accident with Pollock. In the aftermath of the actual accident, she only seems to feel badly about Edith's death because Edith wasn't meant to take her place; Ruth was the one that was supposed to die with Pollock. Pretty disgusting to make someone else's death about yourself, especially when you had some involvement in that death. By her own account, Edith got out of the car and wanted to go inside a bar to call for help - but Pollock called her back and Ruth convinced her to get back in the car. And Ruth had referred to Edith as her best friend!

Can't recommend this. Two stars is generous.