Customer Reviews

To Norma Jeane with Love, Jimmie

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm a huge Marilyn collector/fan and have read many books about her life. This is one of the best books from someone who really knew her, along with the book "My Sister Marilyn". This is her first husbands story. It is touching and sad as well as being a tribute to a beautiful person that Marilyn/Norman Jean was. I read things in this book I've never heard before about Marilyns early years and It was easy to read and very enjoyable, It's a must for any fan.I'm so greatful to "Jim" for sharing his story!

This fabulous book, written by Marilyn Monroe's first husband, Jim Dougherty, is touching! It is sad and funny at the same time! Jim Dougherty has only the best things to say about Marilyn (then Norma Jeane).

This book is very detailed, and lets you get to know and understand the life of Norma Jeane better, so that you become very fascinated with her!

I've never read a better book written about either MM or NJ! If you don't have this, book, I highly recommend that you buy it!!!

Jim Dougherty was the first husband of Miss Marilyn Monroe, sex symbol, child-like actress, and film obsession. There are literally hundreds of books about the Hollywood goddess, but very few have real insight into her early life before entering films. Thankfully, Dougherty wrote and published this book before he died, throwing the rabid fans of his first wife some fresh material.

There are countless stories published here, about how Dougherty and Monroe met and married, their life together, and their demise. He describes Marilyn's love for their puppy dog, for cooking food like peas and carrots, and her knack for impressing men. He even mentions their sex life, but refuses to go into great detail out of respect.

The book is in no particular order and tends to skip around a lot. It also repeats itself many times which makes it a little harder to read than a more professional book, but the stories are valuable and interesting.

From a literary standpoint, this is a very good choice. We get to read about the first husband of a big movie star talk about his life (and a little bit of hers, too), meeting her, and their marriage. It even goes a little bit into her early career (since he was the one who had the privilege to experience having the lasts of her as Norma Jeane) and their later lives, up to the point of the woman we got to know as Marilyn Monroe and her suicide.

It's a little strange to me, however, that Dougherty had thought of putting this out so many years after being married and divorced to her. I've read and researched quite a bit about each book or item that I review, and it was clear to me that after they were divorced, he did not speak to her any longer. Within just a few months time, he was remarried and had moved on with three daughters and, pretty soon, another wife. Even when he was phoned about his first wife's sudden death, he elaborates that he had dreaded the call for years, but couldn't say anything except, "I'm sorry." He did not attend her funeral. So why bring this up now?

Similarly, there were two low budget films made about her long after her death, and the directors in both cases thought it gave him the chance to show the world who he was. But the truth was, no one knew who he was when he was married to Monroe. She would later criticize that he both bored and depressed her, the stuff they did together as Mr. and Mrs. Dougherty was boring, and she even attempted suicide. He knew very well about each of these things, because tons of information relating to their marriage surfaced the years right after they divorced. Even the diehard fans know it, and many were not surprised to hear that she died so abruptly because she was always addicted to taking medication since she was a teenager, and she almost killed herself four times (once before she was even married already, either in middle or high school, the second time in their marriage, and the other two during her career). None of these factors is mentioned in his book. Instead, he just talks about missing her all of the time!

That would be enough evidence, but even he later admits that he rejected her new persona and the female he married was not the one the world knew. Then if you dislike it so much, why do you think you deserve a right to tell your story about her past life or whatever? Last but certainly not least, if she really were interested in you still, she would of stayed with you and/or come back into contact with you. If you look on IMDB, there are similar complaints and feelings.

Pretty much whatever the two had experienced in the marriage together remained solely restricted to that time period. So why did he publish this? I tried to figure that out, but I really couldn't say. He most likely just needed a buck or two.

The book indeed bounces back and forth; it seemed as though he changed his mind even in the process of writing it. That should tell you something. I'd read his stance on one thing, but it'd be over by the next chapter or even the next few pages.

Now, with all of those points aside...

I liked this book. I never knew much about Monroe's early life, only that she had been married before she became famous. It turns out there was a lot more going on in her early life and first marriage than I had thought. The stories and recollections Dougherty provided were very interesting and entertaining. I had fun turning most of the pages in the book. Overall, it was a fun read. The book had a lot of valuable information you won't find online or even with the people who worked with her. Of course, her family could not supply such information, either, since they were nonexistent. (That's why Norma Jeane had to marry him!)

Dougherty was a better writer than I had thought, and the book transitions the events in a neat order. (Except, of course, when he keeps changing his mind about them.)

Highly recommended for any fans of Marilyn Monroe curious to know more about her early life and also for those interested in older Hollywood celebrities.