In Defense of Marion: The Love of Marion Bloom & H.L. Mencken

by Edward A. Martin

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"This documentary history chronicles what in duration and volatile intensity was the most important love relationship in H.L. Mencken's life, one that he tried to obscure and hoped would remain buried within the copious record of his achievements as author and editor. The love between Marion Bloom and Mencken flourished during a period when he wrote frequently about women's issues. In Defense of Marion both illuminates Mencken's ambivalent attitudes toward the "New Woman" and presents a show more particularized social history of the intellectual and personal aspirations of many women during the early twentieth century." "Bloom and Mencken met in 1914 and became lovers within a few months. Their intimacy continued, on and off, until about a year before Mencken's marriage to Sara Haardt in 1930. Edward A. Martin, who supplies a wealth of interpretive notes and commentary, tells of the Mencken-Bloom affair not only through selections from their letters and diaries but also through excerpts from the personal writings of others who were close to the two and who often complicated their relationship. Such relevant figures include Sara Haardt; Estelle Bloom, Marion's sister; Theodore Dreiser, Estelle's lover and employer as an editorial assistant; and the movie star Aileen Pringle, with whom Mencken was infatuated."--BOOK JACKET. show less

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A volume of correspondence between H.L. Mencken and one of the loves of his life, Marion Bloom. Editor Edward A. Martin says that this was the "most important love relationship" in Mencken's life, "one that he tried to obscure. . . ." Their intimate relationship continued for about ten years and ended about a year before Mencken's marriage in 1930 to Sara Haardt.

The book is an excellent model of literary correspondence, including enough explanatory material to put the letters into context, interesting photos, a list of works cited and an index. The editor clearly states his point of view, "in defense of Marion," plus the title alludes to Mencken's own work, In Defense of Women, the summation of Mencken's writings about the role of women show more in American life.

Those interested in Menckeniana shouldn't miss this one. show less

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