Marilyn by Norman Mailer (1973-05-03)

Bought for my mother as a birthday gift, I think she'll like it a lot. Very minor damage,easily overlooked. Still very good condition. Thank you!

I have been re-reading Norman Mailer's Marilyn- his take on the life of the legendary screen star Marilyn Monroe at a time when I have just viewed the American Masters documentary on the musical career of the singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell. And although there is no obvious connection between the lives or the talents of the two women there is a tale of two generations hidden here. Marilyn represented for my parent's generation, the generation that survived the Great Depression and fought World War II, the epitome of blond glamour, sex and talent. To my more `sedate' generation long straight-haired blond Joni represented the introspective, searching quiet beauty that we sought to represent our longings for understanding of a seemingly baffling world that we had not made. As the this book and the Mitchell documentary points out however they `represented' our fantasies they also shared a common vulnerability attempting to be independent women in worlds dominated by men. Such is the life of the great creative talents. Mailer traces Monroe rise from poverty, the struggle to find herself, through to the rocky and some times sleazy road to stardom. As always with Mailer one gets his take on what the symbol of Marilyn meant to my parents' generation, and, let us face it, especially men. His portrayal does not evoke his preferred hipster, beat personality but its counterpoint in the 1950's the heyday of Marilyn's fame. Mailer also goes through Marilyn various affairs with men particularly the doomed marriage to the playwright Arthur Miller. Finally he gives some very interesting details on the behind the scenes drama in the creation of many of her well-known films. Marilyn, while she was alive, never drew my eye for the reasons that Joni Mitchell did. But much later, having seen the classic The Misfits in a film revival theater, I will say just one thing about her looks and performance in that film. Wow. The marriage to Miller may have not worked out but she did right by him and herself with that performance. Yes, indeed.

In this book the author describes the tumultuous career and life of Marylin Monroe. One gets the impression from reading this book that there are only 3 roles for actresses in Hollywood namely "Babe", "District Attorney" and "Driving Miss Daisy". Sadly Ms. Monroe did not get past the 'Babe" stage of her acting career. This book is just one of many biographies on this actress who has had more books written about her than any other deceased celebrity. One gets the feeling from reading this book that if Ms. Monoroe would have lived until her sixties then she would have just been another "has been actress" largely forgotten by the Movie Going Public and would have gotten 5 lines in her Obituary on page 10 of any newspaper like her contemporary actress Gene Tierney did. I give this book 5 stars for the valiant attempt by the author in his efforts to illustrate the complexities of this sad,lonely lost soul.

This book contains some of the best and last images ever taken of Marilyn. There are also quiet a lot of pictures taking on various movie sets, mainly "The Misfits". As highly as i recommend this book for the photography alone, i can not totally endorse the written part by famous writer Norman Mailer. He borrows heavily here from another biography and touches on the theory that Marilyn was murdered..all without any proof. One get's the feeling that the text borrows also a lot from the Authors imagination rather than fact. I would ordinarily give this book 5 Stars for the pictures and the oversized format. Also..GREAT COVER!

I loved this book. Norman Mailer wrote this book like poetry. I could not put it down. I am so glad you found it for me even though it was out of print. I would have hated to miss reading this book. Also, the book was used but was in perfect condition. Thanks for everything.Everyone who loves Marilyn Monroe should read this book.