This third memoir by playwright Lillian Hellman recalls her time during the McCarthy era when she was brought before the House Un-American Activities Committee. It’s a very short book and an interesting reflection of the personal, emotion impact of this dark period in American history. While I was reading it, two things happened. One, incredibly tragic and of historical impact that I feel surpasses the “Commie hunting” period in America. I’m talking about the recent culmination of our nation’s refusal to treat all citizens equally. As I read the book, the country was tearing itself apart after the murder of George Floyd. Tragically, there is a historic pattern here that reading this book at this time reminds one of.

The second thing that happened while reading the book is that I received word that my request to direct a virtual/digital production of Hellman’s play, “The Children’s Hour,” was denied by the author’s agent. This was to be the first show of my school’s 2020-21 season (hence the reason I’ve been reading her books). Very disappointing news, but I’m still glad to have spent time over the past few months reading Hellman’s three books. I’ll just have to hope that a future season will give me the opportunity to return to her play.