Hayden Herrera

read this book some years ago and it still shapes and haunts me. her life was such an elaborate interweaving of pain and celebration, primal and devastating. Herrera does a magnificent job of balancing a biographical, historical examination of this larger than life figure, along with examining the culture that Frida celebrated, with words that could not be more entertaining or insightful.

i would recommend this book to any reader, art lover or not, who wishes to look into a culture, a show more lifestyle, beyond their own. show less

This reminds of the Larkin poem about parents. Herrera is very matter of fact about her childhood and the fact that she survived it and went on to have a good life, at least from outside appearances, is a testament to resilience. I went onto read Paper Palace which was, to my surprise, seemingly a novel based on another selfish mother set decades ahead.

Enjoyed this book immensely. A very detailed, informative and readable biography. I've gone from a point of knowing virtually nothing about Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera (or, to be honest, Mexican art in general) to being fascinated with them, their art and their politics. I've got to explore further!

As a very welcome (and necessary) bonus the book contains a lot of photographs and colour and black and white plates of Frida Kahlo's works, which are extensively referenced in the text.

Upper Bohemia is a memoir based on the childhood of art historian Hayden Herrera.
Herrera is probably best known as the author of "Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo". The book was later adapted into the movie "Frida" produced by, and starring, Salma Hayek.
Born in Boston in 1940, her wealthy artistic parents rejected all social convention of that era opting instead for a vagabond lifestyle. This book is an account of that lifestyle seen through a child's eyes.
Despite growing up shuffled show more between parents, relatives, schools and countries, Herrera managed to have quite an extraordinary childhood. She sums it up best by saying "Our terrible mother gave Blair and me a wonderful life"
While rich in detail, the narrative is very matter-of-fact. Herrera does not dwell on the emotional or negative aspects of her upbringing. Instead of placing blame, she chooses to focus on how she grew from the experience.
Though sad, and even shocking at some points, this engrossing memoir is also unexpectedly beautiful and uplifting.
*Thank you Simon & Schuster Publishing, Hayden Herrera and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. show less