Customer Reviews

Marilyn Monroe

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

In her touching introduction actress Anjelica Huston writes: "Here are gentle portraits of a ravishing child-woman - feline, innocent, anxious, trusting, sad, sweet, passionate and funny...." Quite true.

Photographer Arnold and Monroe enjoyed a ten-year friendship, in fact, interestingly enough, the two met at a party given by actress Huston's father, John Huston. At the time Monroe was still a relative unknown but was intrigued by photographs Arnold had taken of Marlene Dietrich. These were unposed photos not at all like the studio-lit, formal shots so popular. Monroe wanted Arnold to do the same for her. As this volume reveals, Arnold did it beautifully.

1n 198 pages we find photos of Monroe primarily beginning on Long Island in 1952 and concluding with shots of the filming of "The Misfits" in 1960 and an appointment with hairdresser Kenneth in 1961.

Of course, Monroe was a sex symbol yet these photographs by Arnold reveal not only her sexuality but her vulnerability, her humor and her amazing natural beauty.

This is a new edition of the 1987 volume, and includes 28 previously unseen photos. It's a must-have for Monroe fans and cinema buffs alike.

- Gail Cooke

This new printing of Eve Arnold's book is exquisite.
Not only do we see some of the best Marilyn photos ever captured, but Ms. Arnold's text also provides a loving, articulate, and rare personal insight into the real, true Marilyn.

In addition to her superb camera work, Eve Arnold shows that she is also an erudite, poetic and amusing journalist, allowing her readers an unparalled and honest view into the Marilyn Monroe persona.

I love this book !!

Man these are gorgeous photos. Marilyn is that rare bird that created some of the best photos ( I don't want to call them photos more like art pieces) ever! I disagree w/ the reviewer K.S. Pettry about Monroe being a sociopath, first of all a "sociopath" has no conscious so let's get our facts straight. Hey the woman, was HUMAN and complex, and to try and pin her down and label her to make ourselves feel comfortable is futile. Eve Arnold's prose is very astute and right on,and not in the least syrupy or trite. I mean everyone has their own opinion, but unless this particular reviewer knew both women, I'd hesitate before I'd call Ms. Arnold a hanger-on. All in all a gorgeous book, a feast for the eyes.

Purchased this book to use the images for a school project and fell in love with the content of the book itself, would recommend this book to any Marilyn or Eve Arnold Fan!

A wonderful book to have, the stories that the author tells of Marilyn are just priceless! the photos give Marilyn new Life and any Marilyn Collector will absolutley love this new edition.

My wife loves this book. Very nice photos and stories. Extremely pleased.

It seems as if every maid, massuse, hair dresser, photographer, etc, who ever knew Monroe became her best life long buddy who had a special place in Monroe's heart (according to Bert Stern, Monroe all but fell in love with him during his famous shoot). This book is no exception.

The text of this book is the same tired old Monroe worship. You will read the same prose about Monroe's etheral angelic fragility, her profound effect on people, her inner and outer glow and tragic insecurities. You will read of what a student she was of the camera and of what a natural she was. Some real revelations. Why are people so afraid to admit that along with being the biggest, most elusive, enigmatic icon who ever lived, Monroe was a sociopath with hygiene problems. So what if she didn't like soap. So what if she was notorious for using people then shutting them out of her life. I mean, the girl wasn't perfect. It's imperfections that are the most interesting. You won't get any of that here.

There are however, some fresh photographs not published a million billion times like the Stern and Milton Greene pictures. But, Arnold thinks so much of her narratives that she doesn't have the courtesy to caption the photographs. Instead of a caption with the photographs, you get a flowery, wordy, overwrought, analysis of the circumstances surrounding the photographs prior to each section.

For the two dozen or so, fresh photos I would definitely recommend this book. There are some beautiful pictures, many in color. Aside from that, it is just another book written by a Monroe hanger on who used her for self promotion.