The is a great little book, aimed at young readers but I think it’s a great reference book, packed with information and telling Marilyn’s story sensitively, and respectful of her talent. He writes of her “extraordinary physical presence combined with an innate sense of brilliant comedy, in her films Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, The Seven Year Itch and Some Like It Hot,” and yet Hollywood failed to give her the dream roles she craved.It faithfully recaptures her story and has lots of illustrations, from childhood to the Bert Stern photos, seven of which are beautifully produced at the front before the title pages, it also includes twenty-four by Allan Grant from contact sheets and some rarer shots from behind the scenes and private moments, infact every aspect of Marilyn’s life is here and it serves as a great introduction to her for anyone with a mild curious interest in her and as an attractive addition to even the most advanced collection of Monroe literature.
Thoughtfully constructed with published articles from the likes of Collier’s & Life magazine as a guide the book also has reprinted articles at the back from The New York Times obituary, Miller’s Timebends, Elia Kazan’s A Life with writings from Sarah Churchwell, Norman Mailer and Truman Capote’s A Beautiful Child.It’s a delightful little book, printed on glossy paper and well worth seeking out.
Jerome Charyn is a novelist, essayist and critic. He teaches film at the American University of Paris. A native of New York, he has made this the central character of his previous works.
By Fraser Penney
