One of the first new books of 2010 is a picture biography with a difference. It’s actually a very informative look at Marilyn’s life with clever use of images and is written in a historical context that focuses on the times she lived. Beginning with the birth of Gladys in 1902, it details the birth of Hollywood as we know it today and the way things were in the days of movie infancy.
The stars that made an impact and how the film industry was an important part of America’s influence on the world. It’s written in a way that your are transcended back in time to that era of the early 20th Century, going through the depression and the war etc. Bringing a deeper understanding of the world in which Norma Jeane was born into and lived. It’s quite detailed and is well written.
The book is an interesting read not just for the casual reader but would be of interest to anyone interested in researching that time in history.It’s very clear from the start that the authors priority is telling Marilyn’s story in an educated format mixing social history alongside Marilyn’s evolution into film star.
How she fitted in with the times and the role she played, what restrictions it brought her and what made her so special and unique, why she mattered then and her lasting impact.There’s alot of Marilyn’s own feelings in the subtext of the book and we’re reminded of how Marilyn’s last interview with Life magazine interviewer Richard Merryman brought us a mature, weary star on the brink of despair as her career reached a crossroads.
And yet but she was still as potent and glowing as only she could be.The book comes with a CD of her songs and is nicely put together and it does have some nice photos too. It’s not what I expected and is really something I think you could use for a school project as a reference as it’s written in the way that you would perhaps want to teach your children, it’s interesting in that you feel you are learning about the times and world that Marilyn lived as well as her story too.
By Fraser Penney
