Mary McCarthy: A Life

by Carol Gelderman

A portrait of the acclaimed writer who helped shape modern American culture and thought chronicles McCarthy's life and multi-faceted career, from her Catholic unbringing and personal life, to her protests against Stalin and Vietnam, to her literary work

Genres: Biography

430 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1988

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carol Gelderman was McCarthy's first "official" biographer, and she surprised me by including small details that were absent in the Kiernan and Brightman's efforts. (Who knew that McCarthy was friends with Montgomery Clift, and, after he sublet her house one summer, he left the place in shambles, which resulted in his turning up as a character in "A Charmed Life?") I agree with a lot of what she concludes about McCarthy, though many parts were later fleshed out by Brightman or Kiernan. Nonetheless, very helpful for my research.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written while the subject was still alive, and with her cooperation, engrossing biography of a woman whose name always comes up in any discussion of mid-20th century writers and intellectuals. Mary McCarthy was a brilliant writer, thinker, and supporter of leftist causes. Her outspokenness often brought unfavorable attention (the whole Lillian Hellman/Dick Cavett episode is examined) and this is a sympathetic but balanced treatment of the criticism and controversies in her personal and literary life. There was a lot more to Mary McCarthy than The Group.

[Roberta McDonnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book and it introduced me to an author I was unfamiliar with. Just acquired The Company She Keeps on Kindle and it's next on my reading list.