Hayden Herrera

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

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

Although Isamu Noguchi was an inspirational figure in modern art, this may not be the book to tell his story. The details are all there, but not a compelling narrative. Listening to Stone, however may be the perfect research tool to find the lengthy details of one of the greatest sculptors of our time. A sweeping portrait of a rebel genius who made a big impact, doing the work he loved.

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.