The Lowest Trees Have Tops

by Martha Gellhorn

extremely rare,very good condition

215 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1969

About the author

Martha Ellis Gellhorn (1908-1998) was an American novelist, travel writer and journalist. She is considered to be one of the greatest war correspondents of the 20th century. The Martha Gellhorn Prize for Journalism is named after her.

Reviews

[Marge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martha Gellhorn is known for her intrepid and vivid reporting from many wars, but in this lovely book, she gently satirizes the expat community in a Mexican town in the 50's. I laughed a lot reading this book, as I think she manages just the right touch in evoking both the silliness and the pleasures of such a life. Gellhorn clearly knows Mexico itself, with its light and blue skies and ability to go on just being Mexico, while the "residents" go on just being who they are. Gellhorn also writes beautiful prose. I really enjoyed this book and am surprised I'm the first reviewer!

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny romp through an expat community in Mexico. While peering at issues such as infidelity, illegitimacy, and antisemitism, it does so with the frank eye of the journalist. I will read anything written by this author.

[JerryDeanHalleck · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of Gellhorn's few sunny books. She herself called it "a bit of fluff" written to amuse herself. There's no real plot. It covers the doings of a small expat community in 1953 Mexico. There are some Communists and a few "reasonable" conservatives, but any political differences are painted as harmless. The underlying moral is anti-anti-communist. The Dialogue is sometimes charming. Note: Gellhorn had a habit of making her Villainesess either fat or homely. "Mrs. Hatfield" the nasty anti-communist is fat and has "Small, angry eyes" while bigoted "Mrs. Engelbach" is fat with a loud unattractive voice.

Summary: Excluding Gellhorn obsessives, there's no reason to read it. Its charming and amusing in parts , but doesn't add up to much. The only real plus is the atmosphere, but there's not enough of it. Its too sparse and clipped. It sank like a stone in 1967, and would be forgotten except Gellhorn has become a feminist icon.