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resolutelyrick's review against another edition
4.0
I wanted to read this in advance of the Netflix film, though with ratings and reviews being what they are, I may not watch the movie. I got the feeling that the author took liberties with the voice of the protagonist with equal parts care and presumption. There is a memory play slash magical realism element to this book that I enjoyed.
charlottekaas's review against another edition
5.0
This took forever to read, but I wish it had taken longer. It was wonderful and soul-shattering and now I don't know what to do.
I knew almost nothing about Marilyn Monroe before, and having an interest in her is absolutely not required to enjoy this tour de force. One reviewer calls it "a siren shriek against the commodification of women through the decades" and that's all you need to know. Just read it, for god's sake.
I knew almost nothing about Marilyn Monroe before, and having an interest in her is absolutely not required to enjoy this tour de force. One reviewer calls it "a siren shriek against the commodification of women through the decades" and that's all you need to know. Just read it, for god's sake.
anyasinatra's review against another edition
5.0
What a sad, funny little book (not 'little' by literal means!). I didn't like most of it. Despite it being hailed as a "mesmerizing masterpiece" by critics like Elaine Showalter(!) and Hilary Mantel, I found several bits hard to navigate. Hard to read. The blatant sexuality smacked across your face every two pages and the vulgarisation of Monroe, however fictional the book might be, can be behind off putting. This really isn't a book for the faint hearted; even took me almost a month to complete and midway I was positively depressed!
I liked how candid Oates was with showcasing the men around Marilyn who sucked her dry. The world around her that used her and reduced her to meat. There's still so much to unpack, and even though I know that this is a fictionalised account (perhaps the best fictionalised life I've ever read!), I couldn't help but imagine the real Norma Jeane going through all or even more of that.
What a sad book, what a sad, sad life, what a cruel world.
I liked how candid Oates was with showcasing the men around Marilyn who sucked her dry. The world around her that used her and reduced her to meat. There's still so much to unpack, and even though I know that this is a fictionalised account (perhaps the best fictionalised life I've ever read!), I couldn't help but imagine the real Norma Jeane going through all or even more of that.
What a sad book, what a sad, sad life, what a cruel world.
laurtiv's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great book. Oats really does her research and puts you in the life of Marilyn Monroe--what a tragic life. Definitely worth reading.
nickygra's review against another edition
5.0
Reading BLONDE over the past month has been one of the most memorable literary experiences of my life. A long, dense, nightmarish, profound, delicate, graphic, unflinching, raw, and poetic version of the life of one Norma Jean Baker, a.k.a. the one and only Marilyn Monroe.
Truly a masterful novel, moving and upsetting in its portrayal of a woman yearning for love and her place in the world, only to be mistreated and abused by the men in her life. A scathing indictment of Hollywood and Western patriarchal society, as well as people's unnecessary obsession for celebrities that leads to their dehumanization. Yes, this might just be one of the best books I have ever read.
Truly a masterful novel, moving and upsetting in its portrayal of a woman yearning for love and her place in the world, only to be mistreated and abused by the men in her life. A scathing indictment of Hollywood and Western patriarchal society, as well as people's unnecessary obsession for celebrities that leads to their dehumanization. Yes, this might just be one of the best books I have ever read.
la_jenny's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5