The title [of Dorothy Livesay's Right Hand Left Hand] points not only to the political polarities of the [thirties]—fascism and communism—but also to the physical activities involving both hands of the working class…. The subtitle, "A True Life of the Thirties: Paris, Toronto, Montreal, The West and Vancouver. Love, Politics, The Depression and Feminism," seems to indicate the variety of territory covered, yet in addition Livesay devotes chapters to New Jersey and Spain. Indeed, everything and the kitchen sink find their way into this book.

The opening chapter, covering 1928–32 and the trans-Atlantic experiences of Toronto and Paris, is characteristic of a less-than-strict adherence to the unities of time, place, and genre throughout the book. Nevertheless the variety sustains interest, the old-young woman effectively recounting the emergence of the poet's talents and political views four decades ago. (p. 134)

[Livesay's] commitment to Marxism is evidenced in the style...