Marilyn: Shades of Blonde [Paperback]

Douglas (Author), Carole Nelson Douglas (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1998

"I want to say that the people--if I am a star--the people made me a star. No studio, no person--the people did".--Marilyn Monroe. More than three decades after her death, Marilyn Monroe remains an icon. This unforgettable collection of stories seeks to explore what it is about this sex symbol that continues to haunt us so long after her death.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Marilyn Monroe was an enigma? famous, beautiful, sexy, talented, and (surprisingly) intelligent, she also exemplified unexpected characteristics of sadness, loneliness, and vulnerability that made her all the more human. Edited by romance and mystery novelist Douglas, this collection of 21 short stories by authors such as Eileen Dreyer and Nancy Pickard explores her life in imaginative ways. Each author did careful research then intertwined fact with fiction to create an engaging story. The Kennedy brothers appear in several of the tales, as well as the specter of a son given up for adoption in her youth. Whether Marilyn is saving the life of Nikita Khrushchev, witnessing the hereafter prior to her death, or being taken hostage in an unlikely heist, the legendary star comes across as a sympathetic and tragic character. Interestingly, the stories have a consistent feel in that they portray Marilyn as a waif in search of love and affection who ends up alone and unfulfilled at the hour of her death. Each story is followed by an analysis of the author's response to Marilyn, particularly her untimely death. Recommended.?Kimberly G. Allen, NetworkMCI Lib., Washington, D.C.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Monroe personifies the classic pop culture icon, which must be the raison d'etre for this appealing collection. Mailer, Steinem, Elton John--half the world, it seems, has set pen to paper on the endlessly fascinating Monroe. Douglas (author of 30 novels, including the Irene Adler and Midnight Louie mystery series) gathers more than 20 Monroe-themed short stories, many by familiar genre authors, such as mystery writers Martin and Annette (Maan) Meyers, Carolyn Wheat, Barbara Collins, Patricia Wallace, T. J. MacGregor, Catherine Dain, Douglas herself, and Nancy Pickard; horror and fantasy writers Peter Crowther, John A. Day, Elizabeth Ann Scarborough, and J. N. Williamson; folklorist Linda Mannheim; and romance and suspense specialist Eileen Dreyer. MM's memory--and our reactions to her--sets a wide range of writers' imaginations humming. Mary Carroll --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Forge (August 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312866887
• ISBN-13: 978-0312866884
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,760,282 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

With her home office a Twilight Zone landscape of mannequins in vintage dress, no wonder award-winning ex-journalist and novelist Carole Nelson Douglas's 55 novels range from historical and contemporary mystery and romance to science fiction thrillers to high and urban fantasy. They include two Las Vegas-set series: the Midnight Louie, feline PI, mysteries partially narrated by a "Sam Spade with hairballs" and the Delilah Street, Paranormal Investigator, noir urban fantasies of werewolf mobsters and Silver Screen zombies in a paranormal Vegas.

Douglas was the first author of a Sherlockian series with a female protagonist, diva-detective Irene Alder, the only woman to outwit Holmes, debuting with the New York Times Notable Book of the Year, Good Night, Mr. Holmes. Rachel McAdams plays Irene in the Dec. 25 film with Robert Downey, Jr. as Sherlock. Douglas says if she has a literary muse, it's definitely feline: mysterious, wise, playful, and packing sharp shivs in velvet gloves.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You don't have to be a Monroe fan to enjoy this book!, March 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Marilyn: Shades of Blonde (Paperback)

This is a fascinating collection of stories by a great cross-section of writers. My favorite story was the touching and funny "Destiny" by Patricia Wallace. Ms. Wallace has written numerous outstanding horror and mystery novels, including the Sydney Bryant private eye series.

This offbeat anthology should find a permanent place on many bookshelves.