Customer Reviews

Norma Jean: The life of Marilyn Monroe

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With careful attention to the social climate of her life Marilyn Monroe's pscyhe is revealed as tellingly as her body was in the famous calender photos. Norma Jean addresses the inevitability of Monroe's multiple marriages and disintegration into depression. The reader will empathise with this driven young woman who seemed to "have it all" and tragically had nothing. The lonely childhood and increasingly isolated adult years of Monore are presented against the backdrop of a world that idolized her without sympathizing with her. The book is a great read for femenist, film buffs, Monroe fans and anyone interested in Tweniteth century American culture.

The first thing that struck me was the numerous personal photographs in the center of the book, including the calender page of 'golden girl'. When I had time to read, I picked it up and started, from then on unable to put it down [as an avid reader this is a HUGE compliment to the writer]. I was to finish the almost 400 pages in less than 3 days. It was the BEST biography I have EVER read. It is a classic, heart wrenching tale about the personal struggles of a beautiful and sensitive woman. I am now a HUGE fan of hers, and I feel honored to have had a glimpse into her soul [through this book]. Also, the book is beautiful looking, with a simple gold script Norma Jean on the hard cover, hot pink inside the covers, beautifully haunting images in the center.
I can't imagine finding another biography of her that can even come close to comparing. It changed my life.

I purchased the paperback in the mid 1970's, now the book is in tatters.
So I bought this copy, which is excellent. Guiles book is the only
biography dealing with the REAL woman. What I found interesting was
her family's history of mental illness. I wish it could have delt with her grandmother more, Della Monroe. I felt she would have been the picture of Marilyn, if she had survived. Her mother, Gladys was the
spitting image of her daughter, as was her 'sister' Berniece.
But Marilyn was very talented--in fact when I saw, LADIES IN THE CHORUS,
I was blown away by her singing. This girl has got "real" talent and
can act like nothing I've ever seen,(DON'T BOTHER TO KNOCK, 1952).
Toward the end of her life, mental illness was destroying her life, along with severe alcoholism. But, I can't help but feel, that she was taken advantage of, especially by the Kennedys. I don't believe she killed herself, she had too much to live for, but it is possible that because of her involvement with the President and his brother, her life
was in grave danger. People cared about Marilyn and still do. She left
a unique collection of work. No one could ever replace her.