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A review by starness
Out Came the Sun by Mariel Hemingway, Ben Greenman
3.0
A nice memoir read by the author herself Mariel Hemingway.
Written quite simply and an easy one to hold my attention. Her family struggles are not unique however her families mental health and the often referred to "Hemingway curse" is often a major cross to bear for her, the family is riddled with mental health problems, and the black cloud of suicides that have plagued the family throughout the generations. It is hard to comprehend how anyone coming out of this family could ever be "normal" I love the references she often makes regarding her Grandfather, although only a baby when he passed away (he shot himself) her memories of him are very prominent and he becomes a great figure in her mind, the fact she grew up knowing he was such an important literary figure was often a blessing as much as a curse. She delves into the early days of her rise to stardom at a young age overshadowing the earlier rise of her glamorous rebellious sister Margaux, barely equipped to understand some of the adult themes that was required to undertake her roles. This story takes us from the simple but oppressive world of country Idaho to the exciting and unknown world of grown ups in New York and movie land L.A, although she is involved in the seedy world of acting and is often surrounded by opportunistic older male figures she often has a childlike quality to her and is often perplexed how others perceive her as a sexual being. I enjoyed some of her anecdotes concerning some of the directors she worked with, some are downright funny and bizarre. It was fun reading (hearing) the earlier days of Hollywood predominately the early 80's brought back a lot of memories of that time. I enjoyed the final passages where she finds some sense of peace and looks back embracing the fragility of life around her past concerning her troubled family legacy but also accepting her own voice and sharing it with her audience in a sincere way
Written quite simply and an easy one to hold my attention. Her family struggles are not unique however her families mental health and the often referred to "Hemingway curse" is often a major cross to bear for her, the family is riddled with mental health problems, and the black cloud of suicides that have plagued the family throughout the generations. It is hard to comprehend how anyone coming out of this family could ever be "normal" I love the references she often makes regarding her Grandfather, although only a baby when he passed away (he shot himself) her memories of him are very prominent and he becomes a great figure in her mind, the fact she grew up knowing he was such an important literary figure was often a blessing as much as a curse. She delves into the early days of her rise to stardom at a young age overshadowing the earlier rise of her glamorous rebellious sister Margaux, barely equipped to understand some of the adult themes that was required to undertake her roles. This story takes us from the simple but oppressive world of country Idaho to the exciting and unknown world of grown ups in New York and movie land L.A, although she is involved in the seedy world of acting and is often surrounded by opportunistic older male figures she often has a childlike quality to her and is often perplexed how others perceive her as a sexual being. I enjoyed some of her anecdotes concerning some of the directors she worked with, some are downright funny and bizarre. It was fun reading (hearing) the earlier days of Hollywood predominately the early 80's brought back a lot of memories of that time. I enjoyed the final passages where she finds some sense of peace and looks back embracing the fragility of life around her past concerning her troubled family legacy but also accepting her own voice and sharing it with her audience in a sincere way