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Lillian & Dash
This exciting novel about Dashiell Hammett, author of The Maltese Falcon and The Thin Man , and Lillian Hellman, author of The Children's Hour , reintroduces their larger-than-life personalities and the vicissitudes of their affair that spanned three decades. Toperoff reimagines the highs and lows of a fast-living, hard-drinking literary couple and their individual passions, projects, and literary creations. Hammett and Hellman's relationship evolves during major artistic and political epochs-Hollywood's heyday, the New York literary scene, the Spanish Civil War, McCarthyism, and both world wars-and each movement is captured with subjectivity and credible insight. Populated with writers, drinkers, filmmakers, and revolutionaries, Lillian and Dash chronicles the unusual affair of two prominent and headstrong figures.
9 pages, Audio CD
First published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 15, 2014
As a rule, I steer away from reading novels taking prominent historical figures (Hemingway, Churchill, Lincoln) as their protagonists. It seems like a cheap way to develop the main character since we already know a lot about them. This novel re-imagining the lives and relationship of Lillian Hellman (I have not seen any of her plays) and Dashiell Hammett (I've read most of his books) caught my eye, and I think it works impressively well. Mr. Toperoff is an experienced writer, and that becomes evident in the subtle ways he handles the characters of Lilly and Dash. They were passionate and sensitive lovers for over three decades with often long periods of separation between their visits. Hammett comes off as having the saddest life, especially in his later years after the U.S. government and IRS hounded him for his political leanings. I guess the right of free speech was skipped during the witch hunts. He actively served in two world wars and most of the committee members he testified in front of had little or even no military service. Interestingly enough, he had the last laugh and is buried in Arlington Memorial Cemetery with the other fallen veterans. I had some quibbles but then who doesn't when reading a novel? Overall, I was nothing short of entertained and learned a few things to boot. Great job!
April 4, 2015
What a charming novel that delves into the long affair between playwright Lillian Hellman [Little Foxes, The Children’s Hour] and noir author and screenwriter Dashiell Hammett [The Maltese Falcon and The Thin Man]. Theirs was a complicated relationship as Dashiell remained married [and had several children] while Lillian never married. As both writers lived well before my time, I’m only familiar with their work. I’d seen and truly appreciated Hellman’s Little Foxes and The Children’s Hour but knew nothing about her personal life. Of course I’d seen The Maltese Falcon and I’d heard of the popularity of The Thin Man novels and film series but I’ve yet to see them but will at some time. As with Hellman, I knew little to nothing about Hammett.
Author Sam Toperoff makes you feel as if you’re drawn into the midst of a black and white film or at a party with Lillian and Dash. Lillian Hellman-- independent, successful, driven – so much so that Dashiell became immensely jealous of her and that drove a wedge between them at various times but they kept coming back to each other. Although she did fine on her own and had plenty of other affairs, Lillian loved something about Dashiell despite his drunkenness, instability and unreliability in later years. The more I read about Lillian, the more interested I became in her writing and her life and the more I wanted to read about her and the less about her relationship with the drunken Dashiell. He just seemed to be a hanger-on, a nuisance. Perhaps when they were younger he had a certain charm or enticing quality but it didn't stand out in this novel. He never seemed happy for her successes. There’s a plethora of details about their projects, behind the scenes in Hollywood and some political incidents including the Spanish War and McCarthyism. ]. The manner in which Toperoff crafts this novel swept me right up into their Hollywood romance. It’s a treat for those fascinated by Old Hollywood and classic films.
Author Sam Toperoff makes you feel as if you’re drawn into the midst of a black and white film or at a party with Lillian and Dash. Lillian Hellman-- independent, successful, driven – so much so that Dashiell became immensely jealous of her and that drove a wedge between them at various times but they kept coming back to each other. Although she did fine on her own and had plenty of other affairs, Lillian loved something about Dashiell despite his drunkenness, instability and unreliability in later years. The more I read about Lillian, the more interested I became in her writing and her life and the more I wanted to read about her and the less about her relationship with the drunken Dashiell. He just seemed to be a hanger-on, a nuisance. Perhaps when they were younger he had a certain charm or enticing quality but it didn't stand out in this novel. He never seemed happy for her successes. There’s a plethora of details about their projects, behind the scenes in Hollywood and some political incidents including the Spanish War and McCarthyism. ]. The manner in which Toperoff crafts this novel swept me right up into their Hollywood romance. It’s a treat for those fascinated by Old Hollywood and classic films.
December 5, 2013
LILLIAN AND DASH
Sam Toperoff
My friend Bernadette recommended this book and I’m ever so grateful. The recommendation coupled with my lifelong fascination and respect for these two literary giants was an incredible experience. I loved the book!
Mr. Toperoff’s expert writing brings this exciting over the top couple vividly to life. Dashiell Hammett is the recognized king of mystery noir while Lillian Hellman’s genius is widely known as a playwright. They are really so much more as they were erudite, passionate about causes and willing to put themselves at risk for their principles. The brilliant blending of fact and fiction and time and place is nothing short of masterful. It recreates their love story from its very beginning and bristles with their repartee, their wit, and their enormous influence on each other’s work.
These two prominent and headstrong individuals were a fast living, hard drinking part of the world of the New York literary and society worlds, Hollywood’s heyday, the Spanish Civil War, McCarthyism and both world wars. Their complex relationship was as glorious as it was painful since his drinking, roving eye and neurotic questioning of his talent played havoc on their on again off again romance. Lillian’s strength and talent threatened his macho instincts even though she needed him as much as he needed her.
This excellent recreation of two of the most treasured American icons touches the heart, allow you to bask in their adventures and to share their enchanted journey.
Thank you, Mr. Toperoff!
Sam Toperoff
My friend Bernadette recommended this book and I’m ever so grateful. The recommendation coupled with my lifelong fascination and respect for these two literary giants was an incredible experience. I loved the book!
Mr. Toperoff’s expert writing brings this exciting over the top couple vividly to life. Dashiell Hammett is the recognized king of mystery noir while Lillian Hellman’s genius is widely known as a playwright. They are really so much more as they were erudite, passionate about causes and willing to put themselves at risk for their principles. The brilliant blending of fact and fiction and time and place is nothing short of masterful. It recreates their love story from its very beginning and bristles with their repartee, their wit, and their enormous influence on each other’s work.
These two prominent and headstrong individuals were a fast living, hard drinking part of the world of the New York literary and society worlds, Hollywood’s heyday, the Spanish Civil War, McCarthyism and both world wars. Their complex relationship was as glorious as it was painful since his drinking, roving eye and neurotic questioning of his talent played havoc on their on again off again romance. Lillian’s strength and talent threatened his macho instincts even though she needed him as much as he needed her.
This excellent recreation of two of the most treasured American icons touches the heart, allow you to bask in their adventures and to share their enchanted journey.
Thank you, Mr. Toperoff!
September 12, 2021
I had problems with this reimagining of the great love affair of playwright Lillian Hellman and Thin Man author Dashiell Hammett. First of all, I always have issues with so-called fictional representations of historical figures mainly because the novels or screenplays often play fast and loose with the facts. I even had a problem with the recent critically acclaimed version of Shakespeare's family life, Hamnet and Judith, because I found the depiction of Ann Hathway to be cliched. I admit I loved Netflix's treatment of the royal family of the UK, The Crown, even though facts were omitted and stories were twisted, mainly because the narrative and acting were so well done, but also because there was a metaphoical truth to the series. The Crown demonstrated over and over how monarchy distorts the lives of those forced to live within the stifling confines of the institution no matter how gilded their csges may be.
But this rendition of Hellman and Hammett though well written, strained credulity at times. Did the couple really have rough sex, for example? And who cares? The author would probably tell us that this ugly truth showed Hammett's ambivalence about love and relationships. Maybe. I also took issue --and here I feel I may be overstepping the mark a bit-with the unlikeability factor of the lovers, especially Hammett. How could Hellmann put up with this guy, his drinking and whoring?? Didn't she want to walk away?? However, as people often remind me, times were different then, and life, as Simone de Beauvoir once opined, is messy. I think for those liberals who admired the brave stance taken by the pair during the hellish McCarthy era and especially for those who adored Hellmann's compelling but mendacious memoirs, this book would be a fine addition to the plethore of biographies and screenplays written about the famous lovers. As for me, I found it all a little unbelieveable and I wondered how close to the bone Lillian and Dash really was.
But this rendition of Hellman and Hammett though well written, strained credulity at times. Did the couple really have rough sex, for example? And who cares? The author would probably tell us that this ugly truth showed Hammett's ambivalence about love and relationships. Maybe. I also took issue --and here I feel I may be overstepping the mark a bit-with the unlikeability factor of the lovers, especially Hammett. How could Hellmann put up with this guy, his drinking and whoring?? Didn't she want to walk away?? However, as people often remind me, times were different then, and life, as Simone de Beauvoir once opined, is messy. I think for those liberals who admired the brave stance taken by the pair during the hellish McCarthy era and especially for those who adored Hellmann's compelling but mendacious memoirs, this book would be a fine addition to the plethore of biographies and screenplays written about the famous lovers. As for me, I found it all a little unbelieveable and I wondered how close to the bone Lillian and Dash really was.
December 31, 2013
This book assumes you know and care about Lillian Hellman and Dash Hammett before you begin reading. That's why you picked it up, isn't it?
I admit I've never heard of them prior to this novel. I picked it up because I kept seeing the book in various places and something about the font on the cover begged me to read it.
The commencing chapter is a "he said, she said" kind of retelling of their first meeting. It's saucy and clever and the two accounts diverge so much that you know they're both interesting characters. But I still had to push my way through reading, because I didn't care about them. I felt like I was reading about the object of someone else's obsession.
Then, about half way through the novel, I began to like them. They're not people I'd ever be friends with, admire, or encounter in real life, but the novel makes them both larger than life and very human. Theirs is a love story and a story about Hollywood and a political commentary rolled into one. It's tragic and comedic and romantic.
The author did a fabulous job of weaving fact and fiction together in this account. Even if you've never heard of them, you should read about them. It's American history from its golden age. It's good literature.
I admit I've never heard of them prior to this novel. I picked it up because I kept seeing the book in various places and something about the font on the cover begged me to read it.
The commencing chapter is a "he said, she said" kind of retelling of their first meeting. It's saucy and clever and the two accounts diverge so much that you know they're both interesting characters. But I still had to push my way through reading, because I didn't care about them. I felt like I was reading about the object of someone else's obsession.
Then, about half way through the novel, I began to like them. They're not people I'd ever be friends with, admire, or encounter in real life, but the novel makes them both larger than life and very human. Theirs is a love story and a story about Hollywood and a political commentary rolled into one. It's tragic and comedic and romantic.
The author did a fabulous job of weaving fact and fiction together in this account. Even if you've never heard of them, you should read about them. It's American history from its golden age. It's good literature.
August 5, 2013
The only thing I knew about Hellman and Hammett were their contributions to the movies, the theatre and the dime novel, so I really enjoyed this peek into their private lives and the author's ability to turn his research into a very readable piece of fiction.
October 23, 2013
Fascinating. Read it for the: Love story, tragedy, history, trivia, and humanness.(is that a word?)Coming from someone who has trouble remembering little more than than whether I liked a book or not, I was amazed at the things I learned and engaged enough to share and spark many conversations.
September 13, 2013
Better than others have rated it. A compelling story about a challenging relationship. I really got sucked in to these complex characters.
Read
May 28, 2024Historical fictional recreation of the lives of Lillian Hellman and Dashiell Hammett and their contemptuous passionate relationship. Backdrop against the social/political movement of the time. Recommended.
September 1, 2013
I picked this up in the library because I have appreciated Lillian Hellman ever since seeing the movie "Julia" (1977). My knowledge of Dashiell Hammett is more superficial, though I was intrigued by his portrayal in Locked Rooms where author Laurie R. King has him helping Sherlock Holmes solve a mystery in San Francisco.
Lillian and Dash is described as a novel, but could just as easily be called a biography with fictionalized interludes. The author alternates between third person narration and first person recollections by the two main characters. I don't feel that I learned anything more about them than I did before reading it except for an emphasis on Hellman's Jewish background, and I'm not sure whether I would have cared about them as characters if I hadn't already known who they were.
The story starts with their meeting in 1930 and goes through Hammett's death in 1961. Most of their writing and some of their political activities are referenced, although the story that lead to the movie "Julia" is not mentioned.
The writing is easy to follow, so I read this very quickly.
Lillian and Dash is described as a novel, but could just as easily be called a biography with fictionalized interludes. The author alternates between third person narration and first person recollections by the two main characters. I don't feel that I learned anything more about them than I did before reading it except for an emphasis on Hellman's Jewish background, and I'm not sure whether I would have cared about them as characters if I hadn't already known who they were.
The story starts with their meeting in 1930 and goes through Hammett's death in 1961. Most of their writing and some of their political activities are referenced, although the story that lead to the movie "Julia" is not mentioned.
The writing is easy to follow, so I read this very quickly.
June 9, 2014
Lillian and Dash by Sam Toperoff.
I started reading listening to this biography(?) on CD expecting to hear of a long ago romantic relationship between two very talented authors. Unfortunately, that's not what I received. This book(biography?) was written as if this author had actually been there observing and listening to Lillian Helman and Dashiell Hammett together. That could not have been the case.
Yes these two marvelous authors did have a long lasting relationship that included romance but it also included a darker side to both of them. Lillian is reported to have been an old hand at using crude language for no apparent reason in public. While Dashiell appeared to be more of the suave and debonair gentleman in public. In private the contrary seems to be their truer selves. Lillian truly, according the author, did love Dash and was faithful to him and him alone throughout the years. Dash, in return, was rarely if ever faithful to Lillian.
If you are interested in the private (?) lives of these two authors this would be a good book for you. I have often found that the books written by authors far surpass their private lives. This was no exception.
I started reading listening to this biography(?) on CD expecting to hear of a long ago romantic relationship between two very talented authors. Unfortunately, that's not what I received. This book(biography?) was written as if this author had actually been there observing and listening to Lillian Helman and Dashiell Hammett together. That could not have been the case.
Yes these two marvelous authors did have a long lasting relationship that included romance but it also included a darker side to both of them. Lillian is reported to have been an old hand at using crude language for no apparent reason in public. While Dashiell appeared to be more of the suave and debonair gentleman in public. In private the contrary seems to be their truer selves. Lillian truly, according the author, did love Dash and was faithful to him and him alone throughout the years. Dash, in return, was rarely if ever faithful to Lillian.
If you are interested in the private (?) lives of these two authors this would be a good book for you. I have often found that the books written by authors far surpass their private lives. This was no exception.
September 9, 2013
An engaging look at a fascinating couple. I wouldn't have wanted to be their neighbor, more likely their drinking buddy (which is saying a lot, as I don't drink). Alternately fascinating and repellent, these two are always interesting, and undeniably brilliant. The sparkling wit of their early years subsides all-too soon into Dash's deepening alcoholism and illness, which characterized far too many of his later, unproductive years. Lillian, though difficult in so many ways, sustained them both, financially and through her strong will, through his decline. A love story that is both unique and powerful.
July 25, 2013
This may resonate more with someone who's already a fan of Dashiell Hammett or Lillian Hellmann, but it doesn't work for me. It reads toooooo much like a biography - not in a good way, but in a stilted, excess backstory kind of way. It also bounces around from two different first-person perspective (Dash's and Lillian's) and a third-person biographer-ish perspective to fill in the gaps. It makes the narrative too cluttered, too busy.
October 20, 2015
While an interesting quasi-historical account, I wish this book had made up its mind whether to be a novel or a biography. The first-person voices of Hammett and Helmann were excellently done, entertaining, and seemed to be a good estimate of what might have been going on in these people's minds. The 3rd person narrative voice, however, while informative, was disappointing from the beginning and did too much of the heavy lifting.
May 24, 2013
The author shifts the first person narration between Lillian and Dash.
It works most of the time. Some transitions were a little confusing.
I would recommend that readers who are not sure who Lillian and Dash are- should read
the respective wiki pages. Knowing their true life history adds to the appreciation of the
novel.
It works most of the time. Some transitions were a little confusing.
I would recommend that readers who are not sure who Lillian and Dash are- should read
the respective wiki pages. Knowing their true life history adds to the appreciation of the
novel.
September 3, 2013
I wanted and expected to enjoy this novel so much more. Although I love The Thin Man series, I don't read a lot of crime or detective novels. The tone and narrative of this novel is very crisp and measured bringing to mind a detective relating crime details instead of a long-lasting love affair. Perhaps this is the reason I did not LOVE this novel.
September 15, 2015
When my book group selected this book, I was thrilled. I so enjoy reading about the 20's and 30's -- all that noir stuff, but was greatly disappointed in the writing.
I found it confusing to know which person was telling his or her story and the writing was choppy. I totally lost interest and gave up. Perhaps my book group friends will have a rousing discussion and convince me to finish it!
I found it confusing to know which person was telling his or her story and the writing was choppy. I totally lost interest and gave up. Perhaps my book group friends will have a rousing discussion and convince me to finish it!
August 7, 2013
I second the reviews that say that it reads more like a biography than a novel. Too much exposition, not enough drama, which is surprising considering how much drama you could have wring out of the relationship. I found myself bored and had to force myself not to put it down.
September 4, 2013
Really intriguing - there were moments that were absolutely fantastic, but overall it fell somewhere in between fiction and biography, and didn't quite achieve the balance I hoped it would. Such fascinating people though - that alone makes it worth it.
February 16, 2014
The first half was fun and interesting but the second just couldn't keep me engaged.
January 18, 2014
I really wanted to like this book - but it was just too depressing.
February 19, 2014
Meh ... I really wanted to like this book, but I never felt like I connected with the primary characters.
September 23, 2014
Loved this "fictional" account of them. The author did a an excellent job of characterization.
August 25, 2015
I couldn't finish this one, it just lost my interest.
February 11, 2016
Had no clue who they were when I started reading but enjoyed the setting in the 40's and 50's Hollywood.
November 4, 2013
I did enjoy!
September 19, 2018
This is an excellent and fun read. It's a reenactment of sorts of the off-and-on chaotic relationship between Dashiel Hamnett and Lillian Hellman, a very stormy relationship indeed. Toporoff has the speech of the two perfectly written, Lillian with her soft, slightly southern drawl, and Dash with his slow, very heavy Texas twang. It's fun reading about their drunken battles, plans for revenge, and so much more.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews