Tarida Alexander Alexander من عند Medgachhi Paikpara, West Bengal, الهند من عند Medgachhi Paikpara, West Bengal, الهند

Ah, Hemingway. Though historical fiction, McLain captures the complexities, contradictions, cruelty, creative genius, callousness, crassness, and crazy bursting through this larger-than-life man-child. Hadley Richardson, his first of four wives, is cast as his anchor--solid, loyal, honest, a forever champion of his work, while forever loving this bear of a boy. Richardson paid a high price for pushing, praising, propping him up; the labor involved in loving "Tatie" (one of their pet names for each other) left little room for a life of her own. It's a sacrifice she willingly made, but one that almost destroyed her when Ernest takes to the bohemian, hedonistic artist's lifestyle in Paris that was "trending" in the 20's. It's interesting to note that, while still unknown, he despised the very life he shamelessly embraced when fame at last shown its light upon him. When their marriage lays in ruins, and he tells Hadley she's much too good for him, she and the reader know it to be true. Cameos from the Fitzgeralds, Ezra Pound, Gertrude Stein and her partner, Alice Toklas, among others, show them in a mostly unflattering light. F. Scott wrote what he lived, as this world that ultimately ends Ernest's first (and probably best) marriage, is The Great Gatsby come to life. Trampling, like the bulls of Pamploma, over traditions and vows, childish and churlish, drug- and alcohol-addled, egocentricity, madness, and recklessness run rampant--an unsustainable life, and one in which Richardson can't embrace. Ernest frequently infuriates with his cool, arrogant insistence on how he must live, despite the pain and suffering it inflicts on Hadley. This same arrogance, born of insecurity and the obsession with being the best, lost him many good friends along the way. One must always remember, however, the deep depression that plagued him throughout his life (his father, brother, and sister committed suicide, as well). Hadley relives the sorrow and helplessness she felt watching her own father slip away, ending his life with a shotgun, too. Fascinating look into a remarkable time in America's literary history, and a love and marriage that, considering the man, was true and beautiful...and doomed.

This book became the favorite of the series for me. The way Clary goes with Jace and Sebastian despite her distaste and distrust of her brother proves how deep her love is for Jace. I love how Cassandra also let us all learn more about Izzy and Alec and their brother/sister relationship and just how human they can be. I am, however, ticked about what happened between Alec and Magnus. But oh what a shocker at the end when Alec continued searching for Camille and found whatzherface instead! I have become so invested in these characters and it's all Cassandra's fault. I don't know if I can wait as long as I have to for the last book. But I know I will continue to read this series over and over again. Note about purchasing from Barnes & Noble - It seems that they are pushing us to buy books online. If you want a copy of the book on release day and know that what they are selling the book for online is a good price, do not buy it in the store - pre-order it online or buy from and Independent Book Store. They will not give you the online price that is on their own website. Poor business practice in my eyes. But hey... that is what will push me to go to an independent book store and away from them. They drove Borders out of business and honestly, they don't deserve our business anymore.