Excellent Catherine. I had seen the novel the Verdun Affair but had read some mixed reviews on Goodreads. Did you like it? I will visit your site to find out. It seems like Verdun is near the border with Belgium & Germany in the NE. Unfortunately we did not get that far East. We were sort of more to the NW on our recent travels. If you recommend the Verdun Affair, I will read it. I’m still very caught up in trying to understand WWI. The casualties are totally staggering. I would also like to find out more about Gellhorn. McLain’s novel, while interesting, doesn’t totally capture all of her …. hmm

Hi Naomi, thanks for your comments. Good question about Gellhorn. I think she had her doubts going into the Hemingway marriage. At least that’s how it’s portrayed in McLain’s book. But she got smitten with him in Spain when they were both wartime journalists. They were on the frontlines together & got involved. She admired his writing too. I still need to find out more about Gellhorn to really get a feeling of what she was like. Reading the biography of her by Caroline Moorehead would give me a better idea.

I was interested to hear you mention WWI because I recently read a novel, The Verdun Affair, that dealt solely with the aftermath of the war- specifically in Verdun France. Over 1 million men died in that battle! I’m embarrassed because I had no idea. My sense is you were in northern France and this was southern France.

I thought Gellhorn’s D-Day experience was fascinating. I can’t imagine that kind of bravery. It definitely left me wanting to learn more about her.

Yes thanks Kim, it really was. The whole trip really captured me and I still find myself thinking about it. I think I will for the rest of the summer! Thx for stopping by.

Hi Anne: I think if you liked Circling the Sun then you will probably like Love & Ruin. There’s similarities in the telling of it. Similar style, and similar strong & ambitious women. Check it out. Enjoy.

Thanks Judy. I will look for your review of it.

Thanks Susie! Seeing the WWI & II sites made it more real to me. It was great, my parents invited us & it was a nice trip to share together. I did not read McLain’s first book The Paris Wife, but I think I should get to it. I’m a bit impressed with McLain. Her heart seems in the right place. Apparently Gellhorn was the only woman to leave Hemingway … hmm. Thx for the tip on which one you liked best.