A Difficult Woman

In A Difficult Woman, historian Alice Kessler-Harris explores the complex life of 20th-century playwright Lillian Hellman, a figure known both for her groundbreaking contributions to Broadway and her controversial persona. Kessler-Harris delves into Hellman's multifaceted identity as a feisty, combative woman navigating political and cultural challenges, while addressing her legacy of moral inquiry and struggles with truth and memory. This nuanced biography situates Hellman within the diverse contexts of her life, capturing her contradictions and resilience in a male-dominated world.