The Only Woman in the Room

The end of The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict is the best part. After reading the Author’s Note, I was inspired to watch this YouTube video that captures the spirit of Hedy Lamarr better than the book did for me. Reading this book was even more slow-going than usual for me because I felt that the voice was all wrong. Benedict is a lawyer, and I couldn’t help thinking that the tone was too “lawyerly” for the novelization of Hedy Lamar’s story. Benedict’s writing style seems more suited to a nonfiction slant similar to the approach taken by author Nancy Rubin Stuart when writing about the women in Benjamin Franklin’s life.

It’s difficult for me to be too critical though because I met the Marie Benedict at a speed-signing at Titcomb’s this summer, and she is gracious and lovely! Two friends of mine, Deb J and Brenda, loved this book, so clearly Benedict’s style is appealing in ways that other people appreciate. 

I’ll be interested to compare the writing with that of The First Ladies, co-written by Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray (who was also present at the signing and coauthored The Personal Librarian with Benedict). I bought that book but have lent it out to Brenda and Lisa while I slog my way through another solo-Benedict selection about Winston Churchill’s wife, Clementine.