Pentimento: A Book of Portraits is a collection of memoirs and personal essays that offer a glimpse into the author’s life and the people she encountered throughout her career. The title, Pentimento, refers to the art technique of painting over a previous layer to reveal a hidden image, which is used as a metaphor for the process of remembering and reflecting on one’s past.

The book includes portraits of several notable figures, including Hellman’s former lover, writer Dashiell Hammett, and her friend, the painter Arthur Gold. Hellman also writes about her experiences during the McCarthy era, when she was blacklisted for her political beliefs. Pentimento received critical acclaim for its insightful and candid portrayal of the author’s life and the people who influenced her.