«There are strong signs of an overdue revival of interest in 'Mary McCarthy'. Ms. Abrams' take on McCarthy as an outsider among outsiders-who-are-insiders should accelerate that revival. Ms. Abrams' discussions of McCarthy's writings are full, informed, and faithful to all the resulting complexities of perspective, to McCarthy's political activism, aesthetic, lover affairs, and struggles with her own gender. This is a book that for its human interest and understanding is well worth reading, and not just by other critics.» (George Stade, Professor, Department of English and Comparative Literature, Columbia University) «This is a smart book about a smart woman. Sabrina Fuchs Abrams offers subtly argued and persuasive analyses of McCarthy's life and work, particularly during the Cold War and the Vietnam War.

Abrams's retrospective view of McCarthy's career makes it more impressive than perhaps it seemed as if unfolded and her book is a pleasure to read.» (Shortened version of Joan Hartman's letter).