The Only Woman in the Room

I had heard somewhere that Hedy Lamarr was more than just a beautiful actress, but it was really interesting to get the whole story. Even though this was a novel, it read like a biography and I think the basic story is factual. From her entertaining world leaders in politics and manufacturing to her escape from Nazi Europe to her self-taught scientific knowledge to her improved torpedo design, the book was a revelation of how much more she accomplished than we know from the films she made. It was also interesting to think about how her outward appearance led to others making assumptions about her, and how she sometimes used that to her advantage and other times it worked against her. I was infuriated that the US Navy refused to consider show more her improved torpedo design because it was conceived by a woman. We've come a long way, baby -- or have we?? show less

A biographical novel of the life of Hedy Lamarr - born Hedwig Keisler in Austria. She loved acting, but some early choices in her film career gave her a questionable reputation. Then a influential arms merchant comes calling - and Hedy ends up a miserable marriage. One of the best parts of the book are the chapter detailing her attempts to escape from him. She eventually does and ends up on a ship to America, stardom, new relationships, and a continuing battle to be more than just a pretty face. I liked how the book portrayed her intellectual curiosity and tenacity, qualities that were not often appreciated by society. There was quite a bit to think about and discuss with other after reading this book, it was a great choice for my book show more group and I would definitely recommend it. show less

The Only Woman in the Room brings to life the fascinating and often overlooked story of Hedy Lamarr, a brilliant actress and inventor. Set against the backdrop of World War II, this historical fiction novel beautifully blends Lamarr’s glamorous Hollywood career with her pioneering work in technology, which would later help shape modern communication.

Benedict’s writing is engaging, and the way she weaves Lamarr’s personal struggles with her professional accomplishments makes for a compelling and emotional read. The novel delves into the challenges Hedy faced, not only as a woman in a male-dominated industry but also as a refugee escaping Nazi-occupied Austria. It’s a powerful reminder of how often history overlooks women’s show more contributions.

While the pacing can slow at times, and some of the supporting characters could have been more developed, The Only Woman in the Room is still a captivating and enlightening read. It’s a great choice for anyone who loves historical fiction, strong female protagonists, and stories of hidden brilliance. show less

Hedwig Kiesler is a young wealthy Jewish girl living in Vienna. She longs to be a famous actress but also is interested in science. Her father encourages her to pursue both. She is just gaining respect as an actress when she meets her biggest fan, Fritz Mandl. Mandl has quite a reputation with women and as an Austrian arms dealer. But Hedwig’s parents are concerned about the developing hatred for Jews and believes a marriage between Hedwig and Fritz will save them all. Once Hedwig marries Fritz, she realizes she made a terrible mistake and is imprisoned and abused by her controlling husband. She begins to listen in on conversations at their dinner parties and learns military secrets that she passes on to her husband, hoping to use show more those secrets to escape from him. Those secrets lead her to become an inventor of a unique radio-communication devise that may help win the war.

I was completely riveted by this book and found it fascinating. I well remember the actress Hedy Lamarr, having watched many of her old movies on TV when I was young. I also knew that this beautiful actress was also the inventor of a radio guidance system that was eventually used in the development of Bluetooth and Wi-fi. But this book opened up her world to me in such a mesmerizing way. The author has a talent for bringing her characters to life. Parts of this book read like a suspenseful thriller and I couldn’t put it down. Most impressive was the focus the author gave to the difficulties Hedy encountered when she presented her invention to the navy and it was refused simply because they said it would be hard for them to sell their soldiers and sailors on a weapons system created by a woman and that they weren’t even going to try. And this was decided when they had a faulty torpedo system in place. She was told that she would do better selling war bonds. I was so glad to read in a postscript that many years later, in the 1990’s, she was finally given recognition and awards for her invention.

Most highly recommended.

This book was given to me by the publisher in return for an honest review. show less

THE ONLY WOMAN IN THE ROOM is historical fiction about Nazis, Hollywood, technology invention, and World War II — four disparate concepts but all combined into the story of actress Hedy Lamarr (1914-2000). Awarded four stars on Goodreads.

While many of us may have heard of the actress Hedy Lamarr (in part for the nudity she displayed in the 1933 Czech movie Ecstasy), few of us are aware of the revolutionary contribution she made to technology, that today lives inside the mobile phones we all depend on. Luckily, in this novel, author Marie Benedict finally gives voice to this astonishingly beautiful, complex, and brilliant woman. (Geez, as if it's impossible that a beautiful woman could be a genius too!)

At the start of the book, it’s show more the mid 1930s. Teenager Hedwig Maria Kiesler, who still lives with her Jewish parents in their Vienna home, is just beginning to acheive success on the theatre stage. Among those whose admiration Hedy earns is Friedrich “Fritz” Mandl (1900-1977), an older businessman who amassed a fortune in the armaments industry. With antisemitism on the rise in Austria and politicians fretting over growing fear of Nazi Germany, Hedy’s parents feel the wisest course is to humor a man as powerful and well-connected as Fritz, in the hopes his prominence will somehow protect their family.

Instead, Hedy winds up with an overly controlling partner with close ties to the very people her parents fear. Running away seems to be her only option. Fortunately, Hedy’s innate intellect has always been nurtured by her father and her own curiosity has been fed by his extensive library. So she is confident and clever enough to plan and skillfully execute an escape plan. One that eventually lands her in Hollywood.

As Hedy's acting career takes shape, her intelligence and people savvy underlies all the actions she takes. This is no clueless starlet! While most men she encounters see her as just another beautiful object, Hedy uses both her beauty and brains to maintain her independence and accomplish her goals. And the goal that is most important to her is the defeat of the Nazis. That goal is the catalyst behind the astonishing technology contribution she made along with composer George Antheil.

The story of how Hedy manages all this was the highlight of the book for me. And if you react as I did, you will be astonished by the depth of misogyny she runs into, despite her adopted country being in the middle of a brutal war. And despite the lives that might have been saved.

I highly recommend THE ONLY WOMAN IN THE ROOM. Marie Benedict has done a skillful job creating a compelling narrative. And it's value lies not only in learning about this one remarkable woman. But also for how important it is to tell stories like this one. I certainly can’t say it better than the author herself. The following quote about Hedy is from Marie Benedict's Author’s Note:

“The manner in which her contribution to this world-changing device was largely lost—or ignored—for decades reflects the pervasive marginalization of women’s contributions, a problem that is both historical and modern. Whether Hedy’s work in spread-spectrum technology was purposefully disregarded or unconsciously forgotten, it appears that imbedded in that oversight were misconceptions about her abilities—about all women, really. Faulty assumptions about women’s capabilities, stemming in part from the conscripted roles into which they’d been slotted, has caused many to think more narrowly about the manner in which the past has been shaped. But unless we begin to view historical women through a broader, more inclusive lens—and rewrite them back into the narrative—we will continue to view the past more restrictively than it likely was, and we risk carrying those perspectives over into the present.” show less

THE ONLY WOMAN IN THE ROOM is historical fiction about Nazis, Hollywood, technology invention, and World War II — four disparate concepts but all combined into the story of actress Hedy Lamarr (1914-2000). Awarded four stars on Goodreads.

While many of us may have heard of the actress Hedy Lamarr (in part for the nudity she displayed in the 1933 Czech movie Ecstasy), few of us are aware of the revolutionary contribution she made to technology, that today lives inside the mobile phones we all depend on. Luckily, in this novel, author Marie Benedict finally gives voice to this astonishingly beautiful, complex, and brilliant woman. (Geez, as if it's impossible that a beautiful woman could be a genius too!)

At the start of the book, it’s show more the mid 1930s. Teenager Hedwig Maria Kiesler, who still lives with her Jewish parents in their Vienna home, is just beginning to acheive success on the theatre stage. Among those whose admiration Hedy earns is Friedrich “Fritz” Mandl (1900-1977), an older businessman who amassed a fortune in the armaments industry. With antisemitism on the rise in Austria and politicians fretting over growing fear of Nazi Germany, Hedy’s parents feel the wisest course is to humor a man as powerful and well-connected as Fritz, in the hopes his prominence will somehow protect their family.

Instead, Hedy winds up with an overly controlling partner with close ties to the very people her parents fear. Running away seems to be her only option. Fortunately, Hedy’s innate intellect has always been nurtured by her father and her own curiosity has been fed by his extensive library. So she is confident and clever enough to plan and skillfully execute an escape plan. One that eventually lands her in Hollywood.

As Hedy's acting career takes shape, her intelligence and people savvy underlies all the actions she takes. This is no clueless starlet! While most men she encounters see her as just another beautiful object, Hedy uses both her beauty and brains to maintain her independence and accomplish her goals. And the goal that is most important to her is the defeat of the Nazis. That goal is the catalyst behind the astonishing technology contribution she made along with composer George Antheil.

The story of how Hedy manages all this was the highlight of the book for me. And if you react as I did, you will be astonished by the depth of misogyny she runs into, despite her adopted country being in the middle of a brutal war. And despite the lives that might have been saved.

I highly recommend THE ONLY WOMAN IN THE ROOM. Marie Benedict has done a skillful job creating a compelling narrative. And it's value lies not only in learning about this one remarkable woman. But also for how important it is to tell stories like this one. I certainly can’t say it better than the author herself. The following quote about Hedy is from Marie Benedict's Author’s Note:

“The manner in which her contribution to this world-changing device was largely lost—or ignored—for decades reflects the pervasive marginalization of women’s contributions, a problem that is both historical and modern. Whether Hedy’s work in spread-spectrum technology was purposefully disregarded or unconsciously forgotten, it appears that imbedded in that oversight were misconceptions about her abilities—about all women, really. Faulty assumptions about women’s capabilities, stemming in part from the conscripted roles into which they’d been slotted, has caused many to think more narrowly about the manner in which the past has been shaped. But unless we begin to view historical women through a broader, more inclusive lens—and rewrite them back into the narrative—we will continue to view the past more restrictively than it likely was, and we risk carrying those perspectives over into the present.” show less

The Only Woman in the Room is the remarkable story of Hedy Lamarr. Starting with her early adulthood in Austria during the rise of National Socialism and Hitler’s Germany and ending with her struggles to develop a means to keep American submarines safe from enemy fire, we learn about Hedy’s abilities as well as her loneliness. I have seen other readers criticize the novel for rushing through some of Hedy’s life, with the most significant criticism coming from her scientific tinkering that seems to appear out of nowhere. In my mind, careful reading explains all this, and I like how Ms. Benedict introduces Hedy’s experimental nature. It is subtle, but then again, any woman married to her first husband would have to be subtle in show more how she expresses herself and shows her intelligence. I found no faults with the way Ms. Benedict tells Hedy’s story, which I found fascinating from start to finish. Hedy was not afraid to take chances, even though those chances could harm her in some way. From appearing naked on-screen to attempting to flee from her abusive husband to fighting for increased wages to developing prototypes designed to help the U. S. Navy, she was always a woman who knew her mind and was not afraid to do what she deemed necessary. Ms. Lamarr was a woman who reminds us that we should always be true to ourselves, and Ms. Benedict’s novel is a fitting tribute to an amazing woman. show less