Cursum Perficio: Marilyn Monroe's Brentwood Hacienda--The Story of Her Final Months [Paperback]

Gary Vitacco-Robles (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2000

Cursum Perficio is the name of Marilyn Monroe's last home. Cursum Perficio, the book, is author Gary Vitacco-Robles' exploration of Marilyn's last home as a touchstone to her brief and extraordinary life. A definitive testament of Marilyn Monroe's modest nature, simple tastes and spirituality was her selection of a house in which to settle at age 35. The Spanish Colonial hacienda symbolizes Marilyn's unfulfilled dreams and unfinished life. The Latin inscription on the tiles adorning the front doorstep, Cursum Perficio (translating to "My journey ends"), prophesied the screen goddess' death in the home in 1962. Cursum Perficio invites us inside Marilyn's private life through 120 illustrations and previously unpublished photos of her hacienda and its contents. See the interior, Marilyn's art and decorations purchased on a shopping spree in Mexico, and the furniture delivered days before her death. Vitacco-Robles reveals the events during Marilyn's last months, her daily routine, and her random acts of kindness. Cursum Perficio is not a sensational exploitation of Marilyn Monroe but a celebration of the human being behind the legend. It is a rare and refreshing exploration for the most devout fan and an insightful introduction for those just discovering this enduring icon of the Twentieth Century. This expanded second edition contains added chapters and new images by Brandon Heidrick.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Gary Vitacco-Robles is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who works with children and families who have survived sexual and physical abuse and adolescent males who have committed sexual offenses. Born in New York, Gary has lived on the Florida Gulf Coast since 1975. This is his first book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse (August 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595010822
• ISBN-13: 978-0595010820
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.6 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,327,732 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Clarification on this second edition version October 30, 2003

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

There has been some confusion about the second edition of this book and the sales information on this site. According to the publisher, Iuniverse, the hardcover edition offered here is actually a "second edition" released in October 2003, although the release date printed is still listed as 2000. This is because it is a "re-do" under the same title previously released by the publisher. The new second edition cover for the paperback and hardcover depicts Marilyn standing beside the gates of her home and sell respectively for $20.95 and $30.95. The first edition was only published in paperback with a different cover for $11.95. The publisher says that vendors will continue to sell the first edition paperbacks until supplies depleted. The second edition contains new images, new chapters, re-worked chapters and information not included in the first. Having seen this book, the quality of photo reproduction in this new version are far superior than in the first. It also includes professional, "photorealistic-style" illustrations by artist Brandon Heidrick depicting the interior and exterior of Marilyn's home and furnishings. The images serve as a "virtual tour" of Marilyn's last home similar to the author's website.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Sensitive & Enlightening September 27, 2003

By Hillary O'Keefe

Format:Hardcover

This is an excellent follow-up to the author's first paperback edition. I enjoyed this handsome, hardcover version and its wealth of new photos and illustrations. The artist's depictions looked like actual photos. This edition fleshed out more details of Marilyn's last weeks without dwelling on murder-theories.

Well-researched with new information, this book avoids re-hashing what has already been written. It is a page-turner and must-have for any Marilyn fan. Now I feel as though I really know Marilyn, and I've read nearly every biography written on her in the last fifteen years.

Using Marilyn's last days in the house as a context for a biography is a novel approach to understanding this icon. Vitacco-Robles wove together Marilyn's past as it related to the events during her last year. Marilyn's last year always fascinated me, and I was really interested in learning more about her months in the home in Brentwood. The book is the end-all for anyone who ever secretly wished to visit the home and see inside. It is now hidden by a huge gate to deter fans like me!

The last chapter focused on Frank Lloyd Wright designing a home for Marilyn & Arthur Miller. I was not aware of this. Marilyn wanted a large nursery for the children she never had and a study for the husbanc whom she later divorced. I was amazed that the home was eventually built in Hawaii as a golfing resort.

Vitacco-Robles is a therapist who works with abused children. He knows his subject well and is sensitive to Marilyn's emotional troubles created by her horrendous childhood. As a male biographer, I think Vitacco-Robles does Marilyn justice with his sensitive writing and fresh perspective.

Yes, it's the latest in a long line of biographies about this remarkable woman, but one of the best!

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Not your average Monroe book . . . December 30, 2000

By Sallyann Wagoner

Format:Paperback

Cursum Perficio is a well researched and well thought out book. It takes you on a tour of Marilyn's last home at 12305 5th Helena Drive. Gary delves into the possible reasons behind the purchase of this, her last home, and of the furnishings as well. The reader also gets a brief introduction to Marilyn's life. With Gary's mental health background, I think we get a fresh look at what may have triggered many of the events in her life and in this home. The book is full of photographs and original art. A must for every Monroe collector.