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thelibraryofminds's review against another edition
3.0
I think my reaction could be summarized as: meh. I mean, the writing was beautiful, as always, but this was just not my cup of tea? I felt like she didn't have any subtlety on the larger themes of her work, and I thought it could have been edited down a bit.
It honestly just made me want to read a real biography, because so many random facts were changed in this one to make Monroe seem more of a victim. I don't deny she was portrayed as a ditzy blonde, and there was a media circus, and men controlled her life in so many ways, but I really think there could have been a way to grant her a little more agency instead of focusing so much on the tragic victim. I think you can have both?
It honestly just made me want to read a real biography, because so many random facts were changed in this one to make Monroe seem more of a victim. I don't deny she was portrayed as a ditzy blonde, and there was a media circus, and men controlled her life in so many ways, but I really think there could have been a way to grant her a little more agency instead of focusing so much on the tragic victim. I think you can have both?
lisadeg's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to read this book before watching the movie. It was a sad story. I've not read any of the author's other books so don't know if it's a style thing with her or just this book but I found it to be a hard read. I kept getting confused on who was who, and if it weren't for the fact that I knew a lot of Marilyn's story (at least what we know of it), it would have been an even harder book to follow. Still...I am looking forward to the movie now that I have read the book.
ktamen's review against another edition
3.0
This is very interesting & complex. I wanted to read it before the Netflix version is released in September. It covers a lot of her life & I'm curious how much was based on fact & how much is the author's imagination. A compelling read for sure!
raelaur's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to love this book, but I found it slow and boring at times. It took me long to read and I just wanted it to be over.
jsburton's review against another edition
5.0
A tour de force of fiction writing craft and a tour through the landscapes of both Hollywood and America in the era. Can't recommend highly enough!
vailerin's review against another edition
5.0
as beyonce said, a sweet dream or a beautiful nightmare.
felt like reading a 700+ page dream. Good stuff, very curious to see how some scenes are adapted and how the stream of consciousness is going to come across
felt like reading a 700+ page dream. Good stuff, very curious to see how some scenes are adapted and how the stream of consciousness is going to come across