A review by ragnatela
La ragazza con la Leica by Helena Janeczek

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

The structure of the book: 

• 15 minutes describing the death of Gerda Taro
• 8 hours and a half of a story of friendship, war, traveling and growing
• 20 minutes about the story of Gerda's photos and their recovery

Whatever the misleading back cover states, this is not a book about the famous photographer: the protagonist's name is Gerda and accidentally she spends a lot of time with a man named Robert Capa, but I didn't learn anything new about her character and her life. The beginning and the end are interesting, but too hasty: I expected something more detailed.

In the central part so many people and stories cross and it is hard to follow any of them. I know this was not intended to be an essay, but why didn't the author write a novel about ordinary people living their life before, during and after the war? In my opinion that would have worked better.

Was it really necessary to bring up Gerda Taro? What frustrates me the most is that much could have been said about her interesting story and personality, instead the most common remark about her is "how charming she was": this is certainly true, but it can't be the only aspect that stands out.

(June 2024)