Gertrude and Alice

Library Journal

Though, as Souhami admits, this book gives no new insight into the work of Gertrude Stein, it does illuminate Stein's personal and intimate life in a way that the modernist's writings don't always do. Drawing from letters, memoirs, archival material, and published writings by and about Gertrude Stein and her confidante, lover, and assistant, Alice B. Toklas, Souhami essentially sketches a portrait of the unconventional relationship between the two California expatriates in Paris. From the time they met in 1907 until Stein's death in 1946, they lived as a truly committed couple, Gertrude being the more famous one, or the "genius," as Alice unquestionably believed. Previously published in 1991 in London, this informative and entertaining biography is possibly the first instance, now that the public presentation of lesbianism tends to be more accepted, in which the whole story of Gertrude and Alice "comes out." Highly recommended for literary collections in all academic and public libraries.--Ali Houissa, Cornell Univ. Lib., Ithaca, NY Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Independant

Perfect: deadpan, brief and witty...Souhami brings out the irreducible eccentricity of this particular marriage.