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Marilyn
In this sensitive, provocative portrait of Marilyn Monroe, Gloria Steinem reveals the woman behind the myth--the child Norma Jean--and the forces in America that shaped her into the fantasy and icon that has never died. 16 pages of full-color photos.
182 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 1986
About the author
Gloria Steinem
101 books3,185 followersGloria Marie Steinem (born March 25, 1934) is an American feminist, journalist, and social and political activist who became nationally recognized as a leader of, and media spokeswoman for, the women's liberation movement in the late 1960s and 1970s. A prominent writer and key counterculture era political figure, Steinem has founded many organizations and projects and has been the recipient of many awards and honors. She was a columnist for New York magazine and co-founded Ms. magazine. In 1969, she published an article, " After Black Power, Women's Liberation", which, along with her early support of abortion rights, catapulted her to national fame as a feminist leader.
In 2005, Steinem worked alongside Jane Fonda and Robin Morgan to co-found the Women's Media Center, an organization that works to amplify the voices of women in the media through advocacy, media and leadership training, and the creation of original content. Steinem currently serves on the board of the organization. She continues to involve herself in politics and media affairs as a commentator, writer, lecturer, and organizer, campaigning for candidates and reforms and publishing books and articles.
In 2005, Steinem worked alongside Jane Fonda and Robin Morgan to co-found the Women's Media Center, an organization that works to amplify the voices of women in the media through advocacy, media and leadership training, and the creation of original content. Steinem currently serves on the board of the organization. She continues to involve herself in politics and media affairs as a commentator, writer, lecturer, and organizer, campaigning for candidates and reforms and publishing books and articles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
July 11, 2008
Rarely do I come across a book that allows itself to be read with such freedom from all cynicism, skepticism, irony, or struggle. In fact, I first came across this book when it first came out--when I was six years old--and my mother had it on her bookshelf in the living room. She caught me sitting behind an armchair, looking at the pictures. I remember being frightened by these late-era photographs of Marilyn: freckled and age-spotted, eyes half-mast, champagne in hand, bruised and heavily made-up and mostly naked, smiling. This was the first time I remember hearing someone (my mom) describe such a glamorous woman as "sad."
From the moment I opened this book again I was all opened up: eyes wide, mouth gaping, mind expanded, heart entirely rent. In such a short book--concise text kept to perfect brevity, several pages devoted entirely to just glossy photos--Steinem manages to reveal Marilyn with such clear ringing feminist honesty and kindness and compassion that I wept on several occasions. It wasn't just pity for child-woman Marilyn, abandoned and abused Norma Jeane, or even for womankind in all our messy loveliness and pain, but even just for the sheer joy of learning, of being lovingly taught. I recommend this book to everyone.
From the moment I opened this book again I was all opened up: eyes wide, mouth gaping, mind expanded, heart entirely rent. In such a short book--concise text kept to perfect brevity, several pages devoted entirely to just glossy photos--Steinem manages to reveal Marilyn with such clear ringing feminist honesty and kindness and compassion that I wept on several occasions. It wasn't just pity for child-woman Marilyn, abandoned and abused Norma Jeane, or even for womankind in all our messy loveliness and pain, but even just for the sheer joy of learning, of being lovingly taught. I recommend this book to everyone.
December 29, 2019
My View:
This was a very sad and poignant read – Steinem writes a very empathetic story about the life and death of this tortured and fragile individual and reveals more about Marilyn Monroe stage name of Norma Jeane) than we are usually presented with, more than mere gloss, Hollywood hype and cheesecake photo shoots; Steinem reveals the ghosts of Norma Jeane’s past that so critically affect the adult Marilyn Monroe.
Norma Jeane had a tragic and emotion deprived childhood – she grew up in a series of babysitters and relatives homes, often only seeing her mentally unstable mother on weekends. When her mother was hospitalized Norma Jeane continued to flit from home to home, from relative to relative to family friends, foster care and an orphanage (where Marilyn alleges she was sexually assaulted at the age of 8). She later lived with a distant relative – an aunt who encouraged the teenage Norma Jeane to marry the boy next door (for security and protection). Norma Jeane was just sixteen. The adult Marilyn continued to look for happiness, security, love and approval in her many marriages.
Steinem’s account of Marilyn Monroe’s life is one that shows talent, promise, intellect, neediness and insecurity; a complex individual largely a victim of her unstable upbringing and the social mores of the time that defined women as mere homemakers, sexual objects, and dependant. I was surprised to hear of Marilyn’s political voice, her activism – writing letters to the editor, using her fame to influence decision makers, “she told us of her strong feelings about civil rights, for black equality.....her anger a red baiting.... ( p.72) Steinem shows us a Marilyn that is not obvious in the public persona, the actress whose roles largely related to the one dimensional “dumb blonde”.
I enjoyed learning that there was more to Marilyn than was obvious or that was portrayed in the media. Steinem has cleverly created a narrative that allows the reader to step back in time to see the world through Marilyn’s eyes.
Despite the fact that Marilyn Monroe died fifty one years ago her name and image remain fresh in our minds. Marilyn’s life made an impact on Hollywood and popular culture and the manner and timing of her death, whether accidental or murder or suicide, will intrigue the media hungry public forever (or until a suicide note is made public or a conspiracy plot is revealed). Steinem suggests (p. 96) that after Marilyn’s death it is “likely that Peter Lawford employed a private detective to sweep the house... and to destroy any evidence embarrassing to the Kennedys, including a suicide note or unfinished letter.” The intrigue and mystery lives on, the legend of Marilyn Monroe, screen goddess, still very much alive.
This was a very sad and poignant read – Steinem writes a very empathetic story about the life and death of this tortured and fragile individual and reveals more about Marilyn Monroe stage name of Norma Jeane) than we are usually presented with, more than mere gloss, Hollywood hype and cheesecake photo shoots; Steinem reveals the ghosts of Norma Jeane’s past that so critically affect the adult Marilyn Monroe.
Norma Jeane had a tragic and emotion deprived childhood – she grew up in a series of babysitters and relatives homes, often only seeing her mentally unstable mother on weekends. When her mother was hospitalized Norma Jeane continued to flit from home to home, from relative to relative to family friends, foster care and an orphanage (where Marilyn alleges she was sexually assaulted at the age of 8). She later lived with a distant relative – an aunt who encouraged the teenage Norma Jeane to marry the boy next door (for security and protection). Norma Jeane was just sixteen. The adult Marilyn continued to look for happiness, security, love and approval in her many marriages.
Steinem’s account of Marilyn Monroe’s life is one that shows talent, promise, intellect, neediness and insecurity; a complex individual largely a victim of her unstable upbringing and the social mores of the time that defined women as mere homemakers, sexual objects, and dependant. I was surprised to hear of Marilyn’s political voice, her activism – writing letters to the editor, using her fame to influence decision makers, “she told us of her strong feelings about civil rights, for black equality.....her anger a red baiting.... ( p.72) Steinem shows us a Marilyn that is not obvious in the public persona, the actress whose roles largely related to the one dimensional “dumb blonde”.
I enjoyed learning that there was more to Marilyn than was obvious or that was portrayed in the media. Steinem has cleverly created a narrative that allows the reader to step back in time to see the world through Marilyn’s eyes.
Despite the fact that Marilyn Monroe died fifty one years ago her name and image remain fresh in our minds. Marilyn’s life made an impact on Hollywood and popular culture and the manner and timing of her death, whether accidental or murder or suicide, will intrigue the media hungry public forever (or until a suicide note is made public or a conspiracy plot is revealed). Steinem suggests (p. 96) that after Marilyn’s death it is “likely that Peter Lawford employed a private detective to sweep the house... and to destroy any evidence embarrassing to the Kennedys, including a suicide note or unfinished letter.” The intrigue and mystery lives on, the legend of Marilyn Monroe, screen goddess, still very much alive.
December 8, 2015
I can't help but be fascinated with Marilyn Monroe. It is hard to find anything about her that isn't from the point of view of others or just complete speculation. This book was written around Marilyn Monroe own words taken from her last interview and from an unfinished autobiography she had started to write shortly before her death. There was still opinion and many wonders about MM, her life and habits, but the author never inserted her own conclusions. It was sad to hear the story of how a talented but lonely woman who desired nothing more than love and respect, the respect part especially hard to come by for a woman during her time, die so suddenly and at a time where it seemed she was ready to take control of her life and move forward to a happy future.
A recommend read for a true Marilyn fan or one who is curious to find out more about the mysterious life and death of one of Hollywood's most dynamic sex symbols.
A recommend read for a true Marilyn fan or one who is curious to find out more about the mysterious life and death of one of Hollywood's most dynamic sex symbols.
January 30, 2015
amazing
Amazing woman and well written biography by Steinem. She showed us all aspects of Marilyn's life, creating a full illustration of who she was as a woman and why she remains an icon. She asks the right questions and it is so intelligently written and articulated that I fell in love with Marilyn, being one who never had an interest in her before. I never disliked her, I simply had little opinion, despite being an obsessed fan of classic films and old Hollywood. Marilyn's complexity and wisdom is shown with the quotes and I think that if she read this book, Marilyn, would have been able to heal and be the woman she wished she could be. Amazing book on many levels. I can't say enough about it.
Amazing woman and well written biography by Steinem. She showed us all aspects of Marilyn's life, creating a full illustration of who she was as a woman and why she remains an icon. She asks the right questions and it is so intelligently written and articulated that I fell in love with Marilyn, being one who never had an interest in her before. I never disliked her, I simply had little opinion, despite being an obsessed fan of classic films and old Hollywood. Marilyn's complexity and wisdom is shown with the quotes and I think that if she read this book, Marilyn, would have been able to heal and be the woman she wished she could be. Amazing book on many levels. I can't say enough about it.
October 13, 2020
A riveting read that deconstructs the life of this yesteryear actor, icon of Hollywood glamour, and of course, sex symbol, for more than who she was on screen, without the page3 sensationalisation. Written with a feminist sensibility+sensitivity and a sharp sense of critique for the male gaze that lorded over Monroe's narrative for most of her life and for many years even after her death (this book was only published in the mid-1980s, a little over a couple of decades after Monroe's death).
This book delves in the psychology of childhood emotional neglect as well as the possibility of Monroe's struggle with endometriosis and many illegal abortions - goes to show how ravaged non-cis-masc bodies are by the neglect of mainstream medical research.
Such a wholesome book on a person that one can imagine was a wholesome woman, rarely known, but recklessly perceived. By the male gaze.
As a teenager, I loved watching her movies and was quite surprised at her impeccable comic timing. I really do wonder what sort of performances Monroe would have delivered if she were to be alive today, especially after watching Lori Loughlin and Jane Fonda produce Grace & Frankie.
This book delves in the psychology of childhood emotional neglect as well as the possibility of Monroe's struggle with endometriosis and many illegal abortions - goes to show how ravaged non-cis-masc bodies are by the neglect of mainstream medical research.
Such a wholesome book on a person that one can imagine was a wholesome woman, rarely known, but recklessly perceived. By the male gaze.
As a teenager, I loved watching her movies and was quite surprised at her impeccable comic timing. I really do wonder what sort of performances Monroe would have delivered if she were to be alive today, especially after watching Lori Loughlin and Jane Fonda produce Grace & Frankie.
February 25, 2014
I was born way after Marilyn passed away, and I've never been super into her mythos or legend. So, I saw this as an opportunity to try and understand all the stories that circled around her, her story itself and what she may have gone through. I wanted to understand why this woman had captivated people.
I feel like this book gave me all that information and more. I now feel like I can see the pain in Marilyn's eye emanating from pictures. It was also very interesting to see her story through the lens of sexual politics. I learned so much. And to see how much being neglected impacted her.
I definitely won't stop here for Marilyn perspectives, but I feel like this was an excellent place to start.
If I had any complaints they would be that I wish this book had been arranged chronologically. Instead, its more arranged by topic.
By the end of the book though, the pictures are poignant and heart breaking. I wish Marilyn had treated herself better.
I feel like this book gave me all that information and more. I now feel like I can see the pain in Marilyn's eye emanating from pictures. It was also very interesting to see her story through the lens of sexual politics. I learned so much. And to see how much being neglected impacted her.
I definitely won't stop here for Marilyn perspectives, but I feel like this was an excellent place to start.
If I had any complaints they would be that I wish this book had been arranged chronologically. Instead, its more arranged by topic.
By the end of the book though, the pictures are poignant and heart breaking. I wish Marilyn had treated herself better.
April 4, 2013
Very interesting read about feminist theory coupled with the psychological effects of childhood abandonment in one of America's most iconic popular cultural icons. And her daily struggle for acceptance and love.
June 2, 2013
Gloria Steinem does what many other biographers have failed to do and broken down the myth of Marilyn, largely by tracking down and using Marilyn's own words. I finally feel like Marilyn was a real person.
February 8, 2017
Steinem's biography paints a Marilyn unknown to most of us today, a woman abandoned as a child who unsuccessfully tried to fill that emptiness as an adult. Throughout the book you find yourself wanting to wrap Monroe in your arms and tell her everything is going to be alright.
May 4, 2008
Beautiful collection of photos. I bought this book at one of my favorite bookstores, the Mesa Bookshop. The bookstore has since moved to Main Street in Mesa but I still go there often. One of the best places to find 1st editions and hard-bound editions in excellent condition. Anyway this book contains many photos of Marilyn from her early to mid thirties when she was at her most beautiful. I especially like the photos of her in her sherbet orange outfits. There is a very sad expression in her eyes in these photos that a person at her age really ought not to have...
October 1, 2008
Essays by Gloria Steinem. Totally a worthwhile read.
May 6, 2020
I closed it for good right at the 50% mark. This book (edition?)is in desperate need of an editor. The lay out of sections sets it up to be repetitious and redundant and repetitious and redundant and repetitious and redundant. <---That is truly how my mind saw info about Marilyns lack of a stable home by page 75. The information jump from Marilyns connection to the Kennedys to her death lacked any tact or grace. It actually made me feel momentarily angry at Steinem on Norma Jeans behalf.
July 20, 2021
4.5 Fascinating, and a really nuanced look at Marilyn/Norma Jean.
April 15, 2023
Having struggled with JCO's Blonde, I remembered this book and was intrigued to have a feminist perspective on Marilyn Monroe. The introduction is fabulous and just what I was looking for, with some useful insights about Marilyn but also what she represents for men and women. After that there is a (familiar) biography of Marilyn, with a couple of interesting thoughts from Gloria Steinem. She highlights MM's activism, as well as her loneliness, especially in her anecdote about everyone ignoring her in acting class and calls out the misogyny of the men who became obsessed with MM particularly Norman Mailer and Arthur Miller. An important text.
March 9, 2013
It's fitting that Gloria Steinem, who helped the world see women as the people they really are, should tackle the subject of Marilyn Monroe. Monroe was, and in some ways still is, the ultimate target for projected feelings about women.
This book was published at about the same time as the more popular, but now discredited, biography by Norman Mailer. Mailer's work can serve as Exhibit A about the attitudes and beliefs that both made and broke Marilyn.
I came to this book after reading Randy Taraborelli's "The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe" which cites this book. Taraborelli builds on not just this book, but the feminist thinking Steinem pioneered which is now so mainstream that it would hardly be labeled "feminist". Steinem writes that Marilyn resents her role in her husband, Arthur Miller's play "The Misfits" where she saves horses by having a female cliched hysterical fit. Both Steinem and Taraborelli discuss the role Miller tailored for her in "After the Fall", with Taraborelli clearly more strident in his depiction of stereotypes Miller was putting on her.
I wanted more from Steinem on Marilyn's female support system, but not so much was known at that time. Taraborelli shows how reliance on women began from a series of female care givers. As an adult, Marilyn bonded with her half sister, two female drama coaches, Pat Lawford, a female publicist and other female professionals. Steinem stresses Marilyn's father's absence and his denial of her which has the effect of minimizing the impact of Marilyn's mother's emotional instability and how it resulted in her emotional insecurity as a child.
Steinem covers one area Taraborelli doesn't touch, and that is birth control, a subject taboo at the time, and somewhat so today. Very few biographies of women go near this fundamental issue in a young woman's life. Steinem poses that there were a number of abortions and describes Marilyn's longing for children.
In the 20+ years since this book, old myths have been replaced by new ones. Interesting things emerge, such as how Norma Jeane got her name and how short a time the Kennedy acquaintance was. We know more about Marilyn's half sister My Sister Marilyn: A Memoir of Marilyn Monroe, and with feminism, there is a more realistic understanding of Marilyn's first husband and marriage than can be envisioned from 1950's stereotypes.
The photos show a variety of faces such that you have to look at some twice to assure they are the same women. All are timelessly beautiful. Her age of 36 is hard to determine. From Taraborelli you learn Marilyn's strategy in having them done, which shows her will, her drive and her incredible ability to rise to an occasion.
While I would have liked more analysis from Steinem, for a coffee table book, this work is clearly ahead of its time.
This book was published at about the same time as the more popular, but now discredited, biography by Norman Mailer. Mailer's work can serve as Exhibit A about the attitudes and beliefs that both made and broke Marilyn.
I came to this book after reading Randy Taraborelli's "The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe" which cites this book. Taraborelli builds on not just this book, but the feminist thinking Steinem pioneered which is now so mainstream that it would hardly be labeled "feminist". Steinem writes that Marilyn resents her role in her husband, Arthur Miller's play "The Misfits" where she saves horses by having a female cliched hysterical fit. Both Steinem and Taraborelli discuss the role Miller tailored for her in "After the Fall", with Taraborelli clearly more strident in his depiction of stereotypes Miller was putting on her.
I wanted more from Steinem on Marilyn's female support system, but not so much was known at that time. Taraborelli shows how reliance on women began from a series of female care givers. As an adult, Marilyn bonded with her half sister, two female drama coaches, Pat Lawford, a female publicist and other female professionals. Steinem stresses Marilyn's father's absence and his denial of her which has the effect of minimizing the impact of Marilyn's mother's emotional instability and how it resulted in her emotional insecurity as a child.
Steinem covers one area Taraborelli doesn't touch, and that is birth control, a subject taboo at the time, and somewhat so today. Very few biographies of women go near this fundamental issue in a young woman's life. Steinem poses that there were a number of abortions and describes Marilyn's longing for children.
In the 20+ years since this book, old myths have been replaced by new ones. Interesting things emerge, such as how Norma Jeane got her name and how short a time the Kennedy acquaintance was. We know more about Marilyn's half sister My Sister Marilyn: A Memoir of Marilyn Monroe, and with feminism, there is a more realistic understanding of Marilyn's first husband and marriage than can be envisioned from 1950's stereotypes.
The photos show a variety of faces such that you have to look at some twice to assure they are the same women. All are timelessly beautiful. Her age of 36 is hard to determine. From Taraborelli you learn Marilyn's strategy in having them done, which shows her will, her drive and her incredible ability to rise to an occasion.
While I would have liked more analysis from Steinem, for a coffee table book, this work is clearly ahead of its time.
April 29, 2013
There’s a chapter in this book entitled “The Woman Who Will Not Die”, an apt description of the myth and reality that encompasses Marilyn Monroe. It’s been a while since I’ve read a biography and I was wary especially of this one as Monroe has been subjected to much criticism, rumour and speculation over the years but gladly my trust in Steinem paid off and she wrote a beautiful book. Steinem delves deep into the past of Norma Jean and paints a picture of a vulnerable child like woman who yearned for love and safety above all else. There’s a real focus on the psychological state of Norma Jean and Marilyn and it reads almost like the actress had a split personality as Marilyn the starlet constantly haunted by the lonely and unloved Norma Jean. The book follows an interesting format where unseen photographs by George Barris are the main focus with Steinem’s text accompanying it. There is no linear structure to the text allowing the reader to delve into a certain theme of Monroe’s life which made it enjoyable to read without being overwhelmed with facts.
Despite the piercing focus on Marilyn’s relationships with men over the years Steinem includes the perspectives of both men and women and interestingly enough we discover that the overwhelming opinion of the actress is sympathetic. Despite her overt sexual nature which tends to raise the hackles of other women, it becomes clear that initial opinion is quickly brushed aside. Steinem herself includes her own personal connection with Monroe as she recalls attending the Actor’s Studio in New York at the same time as her and states how surprising she found it that the vulnerability seen on screen came through in real life as Marilyn struggled to find her place amongst people who constantly judged her and held preconceived ideas against her.
It was heartbreaking to read about the neglect she suffered as a child which carried through into her adult years. Her difficulties in trying to conceive the child she always dreamed of and her spiralling descent into depression and addiction to those last fateful days is saddening. How the most famous woman in the world could be so alone at her death is frightening to comprehend.
There is a beautiful collection of photographs featured in the book with many I had never seen before. It’s interesting to note the question posed by the author at the end of the book about who Marilyn would have become had she lived. It’s a question that will forever remain unanswered but this book does a fantastic job in painting a picture of one of the world’s most captivating Hollywood icons.
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Despite the piercing focus on Marilyn’s relationships with men over the years Steinem includes the perspectives of both men and women and interestingly enough we discover that the overwhelming opinion of the actress is sympathetic. Despite her overt sexual nature which tends to raise the hackles of other women, it becomes clear that initial opinion is quickly brushed aside. Steinem herself includes her own personal connection with Monroe as she recalls attending the Actor’s Studio in New York at the same time as her and states how surprising she found it that the vulnerability seen on screen came through in real life as Marilyn struggled to find her place amongst people who constantly judged her and held preconceived ideas against her.
It was heartbreaking to read about the neglect she suffered as a child which carried through into her adult years. Her difficulties in trying to conceive the child she always dreamed of and her spiralling descent into depression and addiction to those last fateful days is saddening. How the most famous woman in the world could be so alone at her death is frightening to comprehend.
There is a beautiful collection of photographs featured in the book with many I had never seen before. It’s interesting to note the question posed by the author at the end of the book about who Marilyn would have become had she lived. It’s a question that will forever remain unanswered but this book does a fantastic job in painting a picture of one of the world’s most captivating Hollywood icons.
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March 26, 2013
** I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
Many books have been written about Marilyn Monroe. What is it about this woman that till this day makes her a known household name? This book sheds light on some of the answers to that question. Although there are some parts of the books that start to sound like a psychology book, there are some interesting speculations throughout this book about who Marilyn really was. I really enjoyed the introduction of the book.
She was a woman that was ahead of her time for sure. She lived in an age where women didn’t discuss their insecurities or health problems out in the open to others. It was very sad to read about her lack of women friends. She had many things in common with the every day woman that hard a hard time conceiving children, but she had no one she could say this to. This book brings up the thought that Marilyn was emotionally scared from childhood neglect. In her time, this was not a topic that was really looked into. Since it was a time when the depression era, adults were more keen on helping children who were neglected in other ways such as from starvation. Maybe if Marilyn received some sort of attention to her neglection as a child, then perhaps she wouldn’t have been such a sad lonely soul as an adult. It seems that even though she had all of the sex image a woman can hold, she had her own insecurities as this book brings up.
This book had some beautiful pictures of Marilyn that I had never seen before. Marilyn fans for sure will agree that these photos captivated her true beauty and essence that so many people have adored and idolized. Overall this book was good. There were some new speculations that I learned about that I had never heard of before. If the reader can get past some of the parts that come across like a lecture then the book can be more that a good book. I only wish some parts would have been discussed in order. It seemed like there were parts where we talk about her marriages and relationships, only to go back to her childhood.
An interesting part to point out about this book is that the author makes the reader think about where Marilyn would be today had she lived. Who knows for sure? In the end she will remain a mystery long after her death, as she still does to this day.
Many books have been written about Marilyn Monroe. What is it about this woman that till this day makes her a known household name? This book sheds light on some of the answers to that question. Although there are some parts of the books that start to sound like a psychology book, there are some interesting speculations throughout this book about who Marilyn really was. I really enjoyed the introduction of the book.
She was a woman that was ahead of her time for sure. She lived in an age where women didn’t discuss their insecurities or health problems out in the open to others. It was very sad to read about her lack of women friends. She had many things in common with the every day woman that hard a hard time conceiving children, but she had no one she could say this to. This book brings up the thought that Marilyn was emotionally scared from childhood neglect. In her time, this was not a topic that was really looked into. Since it was a time when the depression era, adults were more keen on helping children who were neglected in other ways such as from starvation. Maybe if Marilyn received some sort of attention to her neglection as a child, then perhaps she wouldn’t have been such a sad lonely soul as an adult. It seems that even though she had all of the sex image a woman can hold, she had her own insecurities as this book brings up.
This book had some beautiful pictures of Marilyn that I had never seen before. Marilyn fans for sure will agree that these photos captivated her true beauty and essence that so many people have adored and idolized. Overall this book was good. There were some new speculations that I learned about that I had never heard of before. If the reader can get past some of the parts that come across like a lecture then the book can be more that a good book. I only wish some parts would have been discussed in order. It seemed like there were parts where we talk about her marriages and relationships, only to go back to her childhood.
An interesting part to point out about this book is that the author makes the reader think about where Marilyn would be today had she lived. Who knows for sure? In the end she will remain a mystery long after her death, as she still does to this day.
March 21, 2013
My reviews (and those of some other awesome chicks) can be found at: http://www.chicksgetlit.com/
I don’t generally read bios simply because I find them tough reads. Even if they’re about the most interesting people in the world -- well, yawn. Still, when this book about Marilyn Monroe popped up and I saw it was written by Gloria Steinem, well, maybe not so yawn.
While I do think that people who just flat out hate Gloria Steinem will find reasons to dislike this book, most will actually find it a complete and fair account of the actress's too short life. The good, the bad, the ugly - it’s all here. From the childhood full of neglect and hurt feelings to the failed marriages to the disappointments in her career. Steinem does not go out of her way to villainize anyone in Marilyn’s life nor does she attempt to glamorize any aspect of what the actress lived through. She shows us that yes, Marilyn was made famous simply for being a beautiful woman but she was constantly working to break out of that role.
If there is anyone that Steinem was especially tough on in this book, it would be someone who never met Marilyn: Norman Mailer, someone who had also written about the actress.
Steinem does her best to let us know what in the book is absolute fact (we can be certain for example when Marilyn’s mother was in the hospital or when Marilyn was married), what is speculation, what is her (Steinem’s) analysis, what other’s have claimed to have seen themselves or be told by Marilyn, etc.
The book ends with several pictures of Marilyn, most of which will have been seen by now, but which are still lovely.
Having never read another book on MM, and just knowing the basics, I do feel like this is so complete, I do not need to read another.
* Disclaimer: I received this book at no cost in order to review it. I offered no guarantee of a positive review, though I only request books I think I'll like so as not to waste my time.
I don’t generally read bios simply because I find them tough reads. Even if they’re about the most interesting people in the world -- well, yawn. Still, when this book about Marilyn Monroe popped up and I saw it was written by Gloria Steinem, well, maybe not so yawn.
While I do think that people who just flat out hate Gloria Steinem will find reasons to dislike this book, most will actually find it a complete and fair account of the actress's too short life. The good, the bad, the ugly - it’s all here. From the childhood full of neglect and hurt feelings to the failed marriages to the disappointments in her career. Steinem does not go out of her way to villainize anyone in Marilyn’s life nor does she attempt to glamorize any aspect of what the actress lived through. She shows us that yes, Marilyn was made famous simply for being a beautiful woman but she was constantly working to break out of that role.
If there is anyone that Steinem was especially tough on in this book, it would be someone who never met Marilyn: Norman Mailer, someone who had also written about the actress.
Steinem does her best to let us know what in the book is absolute fact (we can be certain for example when Marilyn’s mother was in the hospital or when Marilyn was married), what is speculation, what is her (Steinem’s) analysis, what other’s have claimed to have seen themselves or be told by Marilyn, etc.
The book ends with several pictures of Marilyn, most of which will have been seen by now, but which are still lovely.
Having never read another book on MM, and just knowing the basics, I do feel like this is so complete, I do not need to read another.
* Disclaimer: I received this book at no cost in order to review it. I offered no guarantee of a positive review, though I only request books I think I'll like so as not to waste my time.
June 23, 2013
Biographies are always hard to rate and review, but I'll do my best. This was a bit different from any other biography I have read, and I can't decide if it was good or bad.
Marilyn Monroe had a very interesting life, that I don't think 182 pages could do justice. Gloria Steinem focused a lot on the later part of Marilyn's life, only mentioning and referring to her past a few times. It read more like a summary of Marilyn's life with touches of conspiracy theories. I think this is what bothered me the most about this biography - there were no references or sources. This wouldn't normally bother me, but when you state something that nobody could possibly know, I would like to know how you got to the conclusion. There are a lot of things about Marilyn's life (i.e. The Kennedy family's involvement) that have always been debated and theorized and I think these things should be treated as such, and not as facts.
What I really enjoyed was the focus on things that happened after Marilyn's death, it is not something I have read about often. Gloria Steinem also tackles some physiological issues and goes a bit deeper into who Marilyn was. And I enjoyed how this biography made you think about the deeper things that were happening in Marilyn's life. Thus read more like a physiological analysis than a biography.
PS: There are some beautiful photographs at the back of this book.
All in all if you like short biographies, then this is the one for you. If you like more in depth biographies then maybe another one would be best.
Marilyn Monroe had a very interesting life, that I don't think 182 pages could do justice. Gloria Steinem focused a lot on the later part of Marilyn's life, only mentioning and referring to her past a few times. It read more like a summary of Marilyn's life with touches of conspiracy theories. I think this is what bothered me the most about this biography - there were no references or sources. This wouldn't normally bother me, but when you state something that nobody could possibly know, I would like to know how you got to the conclusion. There are a lot of things about Marilyn's life (i.e. The Kennedy family's involvement) that have always been debated and theorized and I think these things should be treated as such, and not as facts.
What I really enjoyed was the focus on things that happened after Marilyn's death, it is not something I have read about often. Gloria Steinem also tackles some physiological issues and goes a bit deeper into who Marilyn was. And I enjoyed how this biography made you think about the deeper things that were happening in Marilyn's life. Thus read more like a physiological analysis than a biography.
PS: There are some beautiful photographs at the back of this book.
All in all if you like short biographies, then this is the one for you. If you like more in depth biographies then maybe another one would be best.
March 9, 2022
This book made me sad. Not the book itself but the life of Norma Jean. Makes me wonder if she had lived today would she have been THAT famous. Probably not. She was unique in a time where everyone wasn’t gunning to be famous. And would she have gotten the mental health help she needed today? Is it possible she would have better opportunities today to get help from people that didn’t just want to be associated or seen with her? We will never know. Very, very sad life from her beginning, to her rise to fame and even today long after her death.
March 13, 2013
This is a very sympathetic biography of Marilyn Monroe, which focuses on her psychology and upbringing, reflecting most of her choices as products of both.
Somewhat frustrating at times is the lack of detail, as well as some repetitiveness - Monroe is constantly presented almost as a dual personality, Norma Jeane vs Marilyn, and her upbringing is rehashed time and time again. Understandable, as one can easily imagine Monroe being divided in two by the persona she created and her base personality, and there's no doubt that her upbringing affected her all of her life, but constant repetition isn't the best way to get that point across.
The great plus to this biography is its sympathy. There is no criticism for any of Monroe's actions - her infidelity is stated as fact and not judged, with the same for her drug addictions. Instead, she is presented as someone who was hurting and lost, and was simply trying to find the best way through life she could.
Monroe remains a figure of much fascination, and it's somewhat startling to realise how little commercial and financial success she had. One wonders how much happier she would have been with a different career, or an acting career where she got to be only Norma Jeane.
Somewhat frustrating at times is the lack of detail, as well as some repetitiveness - Monroe is constantly presented almost as a dual personality, Norma Jeane vs Marilyn, and her upbringing is rehashed time and time again. Understandable, as one can easily imagine Monroe being divided in two by the persona she created and her base personality, and there's no doubt that her upbringing affected her all of her life, but constant repetition isn't the best way to get that point across.
The great plus to this biography is its sympathy. There is no criticism for any of Monroe's actions - her infidelity is stated as fact and not judged, with the same for her drug addictions. Instead, she is presented as someone who was hurting and lost, and was simply trying to find the best way through life she could.
Monroe remains a figure of much fascination, and it's somewhat startling to realise how little commercial and financial success she had. One wonders how much happier she would have been with a different career, or an acting career where she got to be only Norma Jeane.
August 1, 2015
I knew nothing about Marilyn Monroe prior to reading this book and I had a hard time believing it was real! Kindle books are pretty unreliable and if this hadn't been written by Gloria Steinem, I would've been so skeptical. I'm glad the first biography I picked up of her was written by a woman from what she describes about the existing work on Marilyn.
Marilyn was just so interesting. How can all this be true? She was a communist! She just wanted to be taken seriously! She had relationships with women. She's practically tumblr's dream girl.
"Big tits, big ass, big deal."
I want to read so much more about her! Even without having read the other biographies I can picture exactly what Steinem was talking about male biographers and even people of her time not believing her stories of sexual abuse or unwanted sexual advances. Steinem goes deeper into the psychology behind Marilyn and how she used sex to get what she really wanted out of relationships, which was love and affection.
Some things are repeated in different chapters as if they were written as individual essays (which they might have been) so it would be useful even just as a reference guide if you wanted to know about something specific.
Marilyn was just so interesting. How can all this be true? She was a communist! She just wanted to be taken seriously! She had relationships with women. She's practically tumblr's dream girl.
"Big tits, big ass, big deal."
I want to read so much more about her! Even without having read the other biographies I can picture exactly what Steinem was talking about male biographers and even people of her time not believing her stories of sexual abuse or unwanted sexual advances. Steinem goes deeper into the psychology behind Marilyn and how she used sex to get what she really wanted out of relationships, which was love and affection.
Some things are repeated in different chapters as if they were written as individual essays (which they might have been) so it would be useful even just as a reference guide if you wanted to know about something specific.
August 16, 2015
A great look at Marilyn Monroe written by feminist icon Gloria Steinem in 1986. It's a good feminist look at what MM had to go through in her career and her life. I always thought that Clara Bow was perhaps the actress with the most horrible and sad life, but I think Marilyn's life was at least as horrendous as Clara's. In both cases, it's sad that a beautiful woman who was a great actress was not taken seriously by Hollywood. Both women's lives are tragic. This book made me feel so much empathy for Marilyn and how vulnerable she was, how unknowingly brilliant she was as an actress, and how no one would give her credit for her substantial intellect because she had the potential to tower over other female actresses of her time, but was forced into stereotyped sexy dumb blonde roles by Hollywood.
February 10, 2016
An excellent book about a beautiful and tragic woman. I knew some of her story, but had no idea that the trauma she went through was so extensive.
My only quibble is the repeated claim that Marilyn had upwards of a dozen abortions. Steinem says herself that there's really no way to verify this claim, since of course there wouldn't be medical records of an illegal procedure. But she states it as more-or-less fact repeatedly, apparently ignoring the facts that if Marilyn truly had endometriosis, which she probably did, it's very unlikely that she would have conceived that often, and that this estimate seems to be pure speculation to begin with.
But that's the only real blind spot here. This is a book full of excellent, compassionate reporting of a woman who needed far more help than anyone could have given her at that time. It's a heartbreaking story.
My only quibble is the repeated claim that Marilyn had upwards of a dozen abortions. Steinem says herself that there's really no way to verify this claim, since of course there wouldn't be medical records of an illegal procedure. But she states it as more-or-less fact repeatedly, apparently ignoring the facts that if Marilyn truly had endometriosis, which she probably did, it's very unlikely that she would have conceived that often, and that this estimate seems to be pure speculation to begin with.
But that's the only real blind spot here. This is a book full of excellent, compassionate reporting of a woman who needed far more help than anyone could have given her at that time. It's a heartbreaking story.
April 18, 2012
I am re-reading some of Gloria Steinem's books because I just saw her on Oprah (April 2012). This is the most sympathetic of the biographies of Marilyn Monroe who really did have such a sad life. The book delves into the psychology of Norma Jeane (Steinem spells it with an e). Always searching for someone to love her because her parents did not. In 1986 when the book was written, Marilyn would have been in her 60s had she lived; however, she died a "36 year old women who felt she had no future." According to Ms. Steinem, "her work mattered to her most and she didn't want to appear as merely the caricature that everyone wanted." Comedy or drama; her work was pretty marvelous. And this book is too.
June 6, 2012
http://xoxoxoe.blogspot.com/2012/06/s...
"Steinem presents Marilyn almost as a split personality, always haunted by her true self, Norma Jeane. It becomes a bit much after a while in Marilyn, but the glorious, natural-light photographs by George Barris help to show how the girl Norma Jeane who became the woman Marilyn Monroe endures. Marilyn was vulnerable, concerned with others, but also had an innate understanding of her own power:
"As soon as I can afford an evening gown I bought the loudest one I could find. It was a bright red low-cut dress, and my arrival in it usually infuriated half the women present. I was sorry in a way to do this, but I had a long way to go and I needed a lot of advertising to get there.""
"Steinem presents Marilyn almost as a split personality, always haunted by her true self, Norma Jeane. It becomes a bit much after a while in Marilyn, but the glorious, natural-light photographs by George Barris help to show how the girl Norma Jeane who became the woman Marilyn Monroe endures. Marilyn was vulnerable, concerned with others, but also had an innate understanding of her own power:
"As soon as I can afford an evening gown I bought the loudest one I could find. It was a bright red low-cut dress, and my arrival in it usually infuriated half the women present. I was sorry in a way to do this, but I had a long way to go and I needed a lot of advertising to get there.""
August 6, 2015
You would think it a publisher's gimmick, Gloria Steinem writing a biography to accompany newly discovered photos of Marilyn Monroe. Steinem admits it's not a scholarly biography, but she thoroughly studied secondary sources, conducted more than twenty interviews, and had access to Monroe's unpublished autobiography. The result is engrossing and rewarding. The photos were all from one photographer over one or two sittings, and so to me were monotonous, but Steinem's biography was insightful, original, and humane. She never hesitates to eviscerate Norman Mailer's biography of Monroe, while providing thoughtful and sympathetic counter-interpretations of her own. It's a wonderful and moving portrait.
December 4, 2007
I loved this book, but I can't remember why. It may well have been that I was in a foreign country at the time, and it was in english, but I think it was actually really well written and informative too.
September 21, 2014
Just found this at Mom's. (8/2014) Must have picked it up early during college. It was in a drawer with some old issues of Rolling Stone. That will be interesting. Oh the writing is horrible. More awful than I could imagine. Wonder what I thought first time around. Glossy photos.
September 29, 2016
Thoughtful and poignant
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