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Marilyn
In this sensitive, provocative portrait of Marilyn Monroe, Gloria Steinem reveals the woman behind the myth--the child Norma Jean--and the forces in America that shaped her into the fantasy and icon that has never died. 16 pages of full-color photos.
182 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 1986
15 people are currently reading
1991 people want to read
About the author
Gloria Steinem
118 books3,253 followersGloria Marie Steinem (born March 25, 1934) is an American feminist, journalist, and social and political activist who became nationally recognized as a leader of, and media spokeswoman for, the women's liberation movement in the late 1960s and 1970s. A prominent writer and key counterculture era political figure, Steinem has founded many organizations and projects and has been the recipient of many awards and honors. She was a columnist for New York magazine and co-founded Ms. magazine. In 1969, she published an article, " After Black Power, Women's Liberation", which, along with her early support of abortion rights, catapulted her to national fame as a feminist leader.
In 2005, Steinem worked alongside Jane Fonda and Robin Morgan to co-found the Women's Media Center, an organization that works to amplify the voices of women in the media through advocacy, media and leadership training, and the creation of original content. Steinem currently serves on the board of the organization. She continues to involve herself in politics and media affairs as a commentator, writer, lecturer, and organizer, campaigning for candidates and reforms and publishing books and articles.
In 2005, Steinem worked alongside Jane Fonda and Robin Morgan to co-found the Women's Media Center, an organization that works to amplify the voices of women in the media through advocacy, media and leadership training, and the creation of original content. Steinem currently serves on the board of the organization. She continues to involve herself in politics and media affairs as a commentator, writer, lecturer, and organizer, campaigning for candidates and reforms and publishing books and articles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
July 11, 2008
Rarely do I come across a book that allows itself to be read with such freedom from all cynicism, skepticism, irony, or struggle. In fact, I first came across this book when it first came out--when I was six years old--and my mother had it on her bookshelf in the living room. She caught me sitting behind an armchair, looking at the pictures. I remember being frightened by these late-era photographs of Marilyn: freckled and age-spotted, eyes half-mast, champagne in hand, bruised and heavily made-up and mostly naked, smiling. This was the first time I remember hearing someone (my mom) describe such a glamorous woman as "sad."
From the moment I opened this book again I was all opened up: eyes wide, mouth gaping, mind expanded, heart entirely rent. In such a short book--concise text kept to perfect brevity, several pages devoted entirely to just glossy photos--Steinem manages to reveal Marilyn with such clear ringing feminist honesty and kindness and compassion that I wept on several occasions. It wasn't just pity for child-woman Marilyn, abandoned and abused Norma Jeane, or even for womankind in all our messy loveliness and pain, but even just for the sheer joy of learning, of being lovingly taught. I recommend this book to everyone.
From the moment I opened this book again I was all opened up: eyes wide, mouth gaping, mind expanded, heart entirely rent. In such a short book--concise text kept to perfect brevity, several pages devoted entirely to just glossy photos--Steinem manages to reveal Marilyn with such clear ringing feminist honesty and kindness and compassion that I wept on several occasions. It wasn't just pity for child-woman Marilyn, abandoned and abused Norma Jeane, or even for womankind in all our messy loveliness and pain, but even just for the sheer joy of learning, of being lovingly taught. I recommend this book to everyone.
April 4, 2013
Very interesting read about feminist theory coupled with the psychological effects of childhood abandonment in one of America's most iconic popular cultural icons. And her daily struggle for acceptance and love.
June 2, 2013
Gloria Steinem does what many other biographers have failed to do and broken down the myth of Marilyn, largely by tracking down and using Marilyn's own words. I finally feel like Marilyn was a real person.
October 1, 2008
Essays by Gloria Steinem. Totally a worthwhile read.
May 6, 2020
I closed it for good right at the 50% mark. This book (edition?)is in desperate need of an editor. The lay out of sections sets it up to be repetitious and redundant and repetitious and redundant and repetitious and redundant. <---That is truly how my mind saw info about Marilyns lack of a stable home by page 75. The information jump from Marilyns connection to the Kennedys to her death lacked any tact or grace. It actually made me feel momentarily angry at Steinem on Norma Jeans behalf.
July 20, 2021
4.5 Fascinating, and a really nuanced look at Marilyn/Norma Jean.
March 9, 2013
It's fitting that Gloria Steinem, who helped the world see women as the people they really are, should tackle the subject of Marilyn Monroe. Monroe was, and in some ways still is, the ultimate target for projected feelings about women.
This book was published at about the same time as the more popular, but now discredited, biography by Norman Mailer. Mailer's work can serve as Exhibit A about the attitudes and beliefs that both made and broke Marilyn.
I came to this book after reading Randy Taraborelli's "The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe" which cites this book. Taraborelli builds on not just this book, but the feminist thinking Steinem pioneered which is now so mainstream that it would hardly be labeled "feminist". Steinem writes that Marilyn resents her role in her husband, Arthur Miller's play "The Misfits" where she saves horses by having a female cliched hysterical fit. Both Steinem and Taraborelli discuss the role Miller tailored for her in "After the Fall", with Taraborelli clearly more strident in his depiction of stereotypes Miller was putting on her.
I wanted more from Steinem on Marilyn's female support system, but not so much was known at that time. Taraborelli shows how reliance on women began from a series of female care givers. As an adult, Marilyn bonded with her half sister, two female drama coaches, Pat Lawford, a female publicist and other female professionals. Steinem stresses Marilyn's father's absence and his denial of her which has the effect of minimizing the impact of Marilyn's mother's emotional instability and how it resulted in her emotional insecurity as a child.
Steinem covers one area Taraborelli doesn't touch, and that is birth control, a subject taboo at the time, and somewhat so today. Very few biographies of women go near this fundamental issue in a young woman's life. Steinem poses that there were a number of abortions and describes Marilyn's longing for children.
In the 20+ years since this book, old myths have been replaced by new ones. Interesting things emerge, such as how Norma Jeane got her name and how short a time the Kennedy acquaintance was. We know more about Marilyn's half sister My Sister Marilyn: A Memoir of Marilyn Monroe, and with feminism, there is a more realistic understanding of Marilyn's first husband and marriage than can be envisioned from 1950's stereotypes.
The photos show a variety of faces such that you have to look at some twice to assure they are the same women. All are timelessly beautiful. Her age of 36 is hard to determine. From Taraborelli you learn Marilyn's strategy in having them done, which shows her will, her drive and her incredible ability to rise to an occasion.
While I would have liked more analysis from Steinem, for a coffee table book, this work is clearly ahead of its time.
This book was published at about the same time as the more popular, but now discredited, biography by Norman Mailer. Mailer's work can serve as Exhibit A about the attitudes and beliefs that both made and broke Marilyn.
I came to this book after reading Randy Taraborelli's "The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe" which cites this book. Taraborelli builds on not just this book, but the feminist thinking Steinem pioneered which is now so mainstream that it would hardly be labeled "feminist". Steinem writes that Marilyn resents her role in her husband, Arthur Miller's play "The Misfits" where she saves horses by having a female cliched hysterical fit. Both Steinem and Taraborelli discuss the role Miller tailored for her in "After the Fall", with Taraborelli clearly more strident in his depiction of stereotypes Miller was putting on her.
I wanted more from Steinem on Marilyn's female support system, but not so much was known at that time. Taraborelli shows how reliance on women began from a series of female care givers. As an adult, Marilyn bonded with her half sister, two female drama coaches, Pat Lawford, a female publicist and other female professionals. Steinem stresses Marilyn's father's absence and his denial of her which has the effect of minimizing the impact of Marilyn's mother's emotional instability and how it resulted in her emotional insecurity as a child.
Steinem covers one area Taraborelli doesn't touch, and that is birth control, a subject taboo at the time, and somewhat so today. Very few biographies of women go near this fundamental issue in a young woman's life. Steinem poses that there were a number of abortions and describes Marilyn's longing for children.
In the 20+ years since this book, old myths have been replaced by new ones. Interesting things emerge, such as how Norma Jeane got her name and how short a time the Kennedy acquaintance was. We know more about Marilyn's half sister My Sister Marilyn: A Memoir of Marilyn Monroe, and with feminism, there is a more realistic understanding of Marilyn's first husband and marriage than can be envisioned from 1950's stereotypes.
The photos show a variety of faces such that you have to look at some twice to assure they are the same women. All are timelessly beautiful. Her age of 36 is hard to determine. From Taraborelli you learn Marilyn's strategy in having them done, which shows her will, her drive and her incredible ability to rise to an occasion.
While I would have liked more analysis from Steinem, for a coffee table book, this work is clearly ahead of its time.
April 29, 2013
There’s a chapter in this book entitled “The Woman Who Will Not Die”, an apt description of the myth and reality that encompasses Marilyn Monroe. It’s been a while since I’ve read a biography and I was wary especially of this one as Monroe has been subjected to much criticism, rumour and speculation over the years but gladly my trust in Steinem paid off and she wrote a beautiful book. Steinem delves deep into the past of Norma Jean and paints a picture of a vulnerable child like woman who yearned for love and safety above all else. There’s a real focus on the psychological state of Norma Jean and Marilyn and it reads almost like the actress had a split personality as Marilyn the starlet constantly haunted by the lonely and unloved Norma Jean. The book follows an interesting format where unseen photographs by George Barris are the main focus with Steinem’s text accompanying it. There is no linear structure to the text allowing the reader to delve into a certain theme of Monroe’s life which made it enjoyable to read without being overwhelmed with facts.
Despite the piercing focus on Marilyn’s relationships with men over the years Steinem includes the perspectives of both men and women and interestingly enough we discover that the overwhelming opinion of the actress is sympathetic. Despite her overt sexual nature which tends to raise the hackles of other women, it becomes clear that initial opinion is quickly brushed aside. Steinem herself includes her own personal connection with Monroe as she recalls attending the Actor’s Studio in New York at the same time as her and states how surprising she found it that the vulnerability seen on screen came through in real life as Marilyn struggled to find her place amongst people who constantly judged her and held preconceived ideas against her.
It was heartbreaking to read about the neglect she suffered as a child which carried through into her adult years. Her difficulties in trying to conceive the child she always dreamed of and her spiralling descent into depression and addiction to those last fateful days is saddening. How the most famous woman in the world could be so alone at her death is frightening to comprehend.
There is a beautiful collection of photographs featured in the book with many I had never seen before. It’s interesting to note the question posed by the author at the end of the book about who Marilyn would have become had she lived. It’s a question that will forever remain unanswered but this book does a fantastic job in painting a picture of one of the world’s most captivating Hollywood icons.
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Despite the piercing focus on Marilyn’s relationships with men over the years Steinem includes the perspectives of both men and women and interestingly enough we discover that the overwhelming opinion of the actress is sympathetic. Despite her overt sexual nature which tends to raise the hackles of other women, it becomes clear that initial opinion is quickly brushed aside. Steinem herself includes her own personal connection with Monroe as she recalls attending the Actor’s Studio in New York at the same time as her and states how surprising she found it that the vulnerability seen on screen came through in real life as Marilyn struggled to find her place amongst people who constantly judged her and held preconceived ideas against her.
It was heartbreaking to read about the neglect she suffered as a child which carried through into her adult years. Her difficulties in trying to conceive the child she always dreamed of and her spiralling descent into depression and addiction to those last fateful days is saddening. How the most famous woman in the world could be so alone at her death is frightening to comprehend.
There is a beautiful collection of photographs featured in the book with many I had never seen before. It’s interesting to note the question posed by the author at the end of the book about who Marilyn would have become had she lived. It’s a question that will forever remain unanswered but this book does a fantastic job in painting a picture of one of the world’s most captivating Hollywood icons.
Find more reviews at
March 26, 2013
** I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
Many books have been written about Marilyn Monroe. What is it about this woman that till this day makes her a known household name? This book sheds light on some of the answers to that question. Although there are some parts of the books that start to sound like a psychology book, there are some interesting speculations throughout this book about who Marilyn really was. I really enjoyed the introduction of the book.
She was a woman that was ahead of her time for sure. She lived in an age where women didn’t discuss their insecurities or health problems out in the open to others. It was very sad to read about her lack of women friends. She had many things in common with the every day woman that hard a hard time conceiving children, but she had no one she could say this to. This book brings up the thought that Marilyn was emotionally scared from childhood neglect. In her time, this was not a topic that was really looked into. Since it was a time when the depression era, adults were more keen on helping children who were neglected in other ways such as from starvation. Maybe if Marilyn received some sort of attention to her neglection as a child, then perhaps she wouldn’t have been such a sad lonely soul as an adult. It seems that even though she had all of the sex image a woman can hold, she had her own insecurities as this book brings up.
This book had some beautiful pictures of Marilyn that I had never seen before. Marilyn fans for sure will agree that these photos captivated her true beauty and essence that so many people have adored and idolized. Overall this book was good. There were some new speculations that I learned about that I had never heard of before. If the reader can get past some of the parts that come across like a lecture then the book can be more that a good book. I only wish some parts would have been discussed in order. It seemed like there were parts where we talk about her marriages and relationships, only to go back to her childhood.
An interesting part to point out about this book is that the author makes the reader think about where Marilyn would be today had she lived. Who knows for sure? In the end she will remain a mystery long after her death, as she still does to this day.
Many books have been written about Marilyn Monroe. What is it about this woman that till this day makes her a known household name? This book sheds light on some of the answers to that question. Although there are some parts of the books that start to sound like a psychology book, there are some interesting speculations throughout this book about who Marilyn really was. I really enjoyed the introduction of the book.
She was a woman that was ahead of her time for sure. She lived in an age where women didn’t discuss their insecurities or health problems out in the open to others. It was very sad to read about her lack of women friends. She had many things in common with the every day woman that hard a hard time conceiving children, but she had no one she could say this to. This book brings up the thought that Marilyn was emotionally scared from childhood neglect. In her time, this was not a topic that was really looked into. Since it was a time when the depression era, adults were more keen on helping children who were neglected in other ways such as from starvation. Maybe if Marilyn received some sort of attention to her neglection as a child, then perhaps she wouldn’t have been such a sad lonely soul as an adult. It seems that even though she had all of the sex image a woman can hold, she had her own insecurities as this book brings up.
This book had some beautiful pictures of Marilyn that I had never seen before. Marilyn fans for sure will agree that these photos captivated her true beauty and essence that so many people have adored and idolized. Overall this book was good. There were some new speculations that I learned about that I had never heard of before. If the reader can get past some of the parts that come across like a lecture then the book can be more that a good book. I only wish some parts would have been discussed in order. It seemed like there were parts where we talk about her marriages and relationships, only to go back to her childhood.
An interesting part to point out about this book is that the author makes the reader think about where Marilyn would be today had she lived. Who knows for sure? In the end she will remain a mystery long after her death, as she still does to this day.
March 21, 2013
My reviews (and those of some other awesome chicks) can be found at: http://www.chicksgetlit.com/
I don’t generally read bios simply because I find them tough reads. Even if they’re about the most interesting people in the world -- well, yawn. Still, when this book about Marilyn Monroe popped up and I saw it was written by Gloria Steinem, well, maybe not so yawn.
While I do think that people who just flat out hate Gloria Steinem will find reasons to dislike this book, most will actually find it a complete and fair account of the actress's too short life. The good, the bad, the ugly - it’s all here. From the childhood full of neglect and hurt feelings to the failed marriages to the disappointments in her career. Steinem does not go out of her way to villainize anyone in Marilyn’s life nor does she attempt to glamorize any aspect of what the actress lived through. She shows us that yes, Marilyn was made famous simply for being a beautiful woman but she was constantly working to break out of that role.
If there is anyone that Steinem was especially tough on in this book, it would be someone who never met Marilyn: Norman Mailer, someone who had also written about the actress.
Steinem does her best to let us know what in the book is absolute fact (we can be certain for example when Marilyn’s mother was in the hospital or when Marilyn was married), what is speculation, what is her (Steinem’s) analysis, what other’s have claimed to have seen themselves or be told by Marilyn, etc.
The book ends with several pictures of Marilyn, most of which will have been seen by now, but which are still lovely.
Having never read another book on MM, and just knowing the basics, I do feel like this is so complete, I do not need to read another.
* Disclaimer: I received this book at no cost in order to review it. I offered no guarantee of a positive review, though I only request books I think I'll like so as not to waste my time.
I don’t generally read bios simply because I find them tough reads. Even if they’re about the most interesting people in the world -- well, yawn. Still, when this book about Marilyn Monroe popped up and I saw it was written by Gloria Steinem, well, maybe not so yawn.
While I do think that people who just flat out hate Gloria Steinem will find reasons to dislike this book, most will actually find it a complete and fair account of the actress's too short life. The good, the bad, the ugly - it’s all here. From the childhood full of neglect and hurt feelings to the failed marriages to the disappointments in her career. Steinem does not go out of her way to villainize anyone in Marilyn’s life nor does she attempt to glamorize any aspect of what the actress lived through. She shows us that yes, Marilyn was made famous simply for being a beautiful woman but she was constantly working to break out of that role.
If there is anyone that Steinem was especially tough on in this book, it would be someone who never met Marilyn: Norman Mailer, someone who had also written about the actress.
Steinem does her best to let us know what in the book is absolute fact (we can be certain for example when Marilyn’s mother was in the hospital or when Marilyn was married), what is speculation, what is her (Steinem’s) analysis, what other’s have claimed to have seen themselves or be told by Marilyn, etc.
The book ends with several pictures of Marilyn, most of which will have been seen by now, but which are still lovely.
Having never read another book on MM, and just knowing the basics, I do feel like this is so complete, I do not need to read another.
* Disclaimer: I received this book at no cost in order to review it. I offered no guarantee of a positive review, though I only request books I think I'll like so as not to waste my time.
March 9, 2022
This book made me sad. Not the book itself but the life of Norma Jean. Makes me wonder if she had lived today would she have been THAT famous. Probably not. She was unique in a time where everyone wasn’t gunning to be famous. And would she have gotten the mental health help she needed today? Is it possible she would have better opportunities today to get help from people that didn’t just want to be associated or seen with her? We will never know. Very, very sad life from her beginning, to her rise to fame and even today long after her death.
March 13, 2013
This is a very sympathetic biography of Marilyn Monroe, which focuses on her psychology and upbringing, reflecting most of her choices as products of both.
Somewhat frustrating at times is the lack of detail, as well as some repetitiveness - Monroe is constantly presented almost as a dual personality, Norma Jeane vs Marilyn, and her upbringing is rehashed time and time again. Understandable, as one can easily imagine Monroe being divided in two by the persona she created and her base personality, and there's no doubt that her upbringing affected her all of her life, but constant repetition isn't the best way to get that point across.
The great plus to this biography is its sympathy. There is no criticism for any of Monroe's actions - her infidelity is stated as fact and not judged, with the same for her drug addictions. Instead, she is presented as someone who was hurting and lost, and was simply trying to find the best way through life she could.
Monroe remains a figure of much fascination, and it's somewhat startling to realise how little commercial and financial success she had. One wonders how much happier she would have been with a different career, or an acting career where she got to be only Norma Jeane.
Somewhat frustrating at times is the lack of detail, as well as some repetitiveness - Monroe is constantly presented almost as a dual personality, Norma Jeane vs Marilyn, and her upbringing is rehashed time and time again. Understandable, as one can easily imagine Monroe being divided in two by the persona she created and her base personality, and there's no doubt that her upbringing affected her all of her life, but constant repetition isn't the best way to get that point across.
The great plus to this biography is its sympathy. There is no criticism for any of Monroe's actions - her infidelity is stated as fact and not judged, with the same for her drug addictions. Instead, she is presented as someone who was hurting and lost, and was simply trying to find the best way through life she could.
Monroe remains a figure of much fascination, and it's somewhat startling to realise how little commercial and financial success she had. One wonders how much happier she would have been with a different career, or an acting career where she got to be only Norma Jeane.
August 16, 2015
A great look at Marilyn Monroe written by feminist icon Gloria Steinem in 1986. It's a good feminist look at what MM had to go through in her career and her life. I always thought that Clara Bow was perhaps the actress with the most horrible and sad life, but I think Marilyn's life was at least as horrendous as Clara's. In both cases, it's sad that a beautiful woman who was a great actress was not taken seriously by Hollywood. Both women's lives are tragic. This book made me feel so much empathy for Marilyn and how vulnerable she was, how unknowingly brilliant she was as an actress, and how no one would give her credit for her substantial intellect because she had the potential to tower over other female actresses of her time, but was forced into stereotyped sexy dumb blonde roles by Hollywood.
April 18, 2012
I am re-reading some of Gloria Steinem's books because I just saw her on Oprah (April 2012). This is the most sympathetic of the biographies of Marilyn Monroe who really did have such a sad life. The book delves into the psychology of Norma Jeane (Steinem spells it with an e). Always searching for someone to love her because her parents did not. In 1986 when the book was written, Marilyn would have been in her 60s had she lived; however, she died a "36 year old women who felt she had no future." According to Ms. Steinem, "her work mattered to her most and she didn't want to appear as merely the caricature that everyone wanted." Comedy or drama; her work was pretty marvelous. And this book is too.
June 6, 2012
http://xoxoxoe.blogspot.com/2012/06/s...
"Steinem presents Marilyn almost as a split personality, always haunted by her true self, Norma Jeane. It becomes a bit much after a while in Marilyn, but the glorious, natural-light photographs by George Barris help to show how the girl Norma Jeane who became the woman Marilyn Monroe endures. Marilyn was vulnerable, concerned with others, but also had an innate understanding of her own power:
"As soon as I can afford an evening gown I bought the loudest one I could find. It was a bright red low-cut dress, and my arrival in it usually infuriated half the women present. I was sorry in a way to do this, but I had a long way to go and I needed a lot of advertising to get there.""
"Steinem presents Marilyn almost as a split personality, always haunted by her true self, Norma Jeane. It becomes a bit much after a while in Marilyn, but the glorious, natural-light photographs by George Barris help to show how the girl Norma Jeane who became the woman Marilyn Monroe endures. Marilyn was vulnerable, concerned with others, but also had an innate understanding of her own power:
"As soon as I can afford an evening gown I bought the loudest one I could find. It was a bright red low-cut dress, and my arrival in it usually infuriated half the women present. I was sorry in a way to do this, but I had a long way to go and I needed a lot of advertising to get there.""
August 6, 2015
You would think it a publisher's gimmick, Gloria Steinem writing a biography to accompany newly discovered photos of Marilyn Monroe. Steinem admits it's not a scholarly biography, but she thoroughly studied secondary sources, conducted more than twenty interviews, and had access to Monroe's unpublished autobiography. The result is engrossing and rewarding. The photos were all from one photographer over one or two sittings, and so to me were monotonous, but Steinem's biography was insightful, original, and humane. She never hesitates to eviscerate Norman Mailer's biography of Monroe, while providing thoughtful and sympathetic counter-interpretations of her own. It's a wonderful and moving portrait.
December 4, 2007
I loved this book, but I can't remember why. It may well have been that I was in a foreign country at the time, and it was in english, but I think it was actually really well written and informative too.
September 29, 2016
Thoughtful and poignant
April 10, 2025
A 2nd wave feminist re-evaluation of Norma Jean/Marilyn Monroe, written 30 years after her death, this book explores her private life, public persona and cultural impact, using her own words as much as possible. It also dispels a lot of ignorant myths perpetuated by previous (male) biographers.
I confess, despite begrudgingly being labelled a film bro, I knew shockingly little about her life and filmography (having only seen Some Like It Hot), though always assumed there was a lot more to her than the “dumb blonde” persona.
This book does an excellent job of painting a vivid portrait of the multi-faceted Norma/Marilyn in a few fairly short essays that focus on her turbulent upbringing, career, relationships, body image and so much more.
Anyone who’s seen my bedroom knows my fascination with James Dean, particularly how, since he died so young, posterity is fixated on both what he never became and what he could have been.
Similar observations are made about Monroe:
“When the past dies, there is mourning, but when the future dies our imaginations are compelled to carry it on.”
The final chapter of the book speculates on all the things she may have gone on to do, if not for her premature death. It’s a really hard-hitting way of summarising just how long and fulfilling her life would have been, if it wasn’t full of cunts.
For me, the most enraging part of her life story (besides all the trigger warning stuff), is how, despite her being very openly well read, curious and intelligent, her colleagues, biographers and the media as a whole completely dismissed this as a facade to make herself seem more than she was.
Now I’m going to go and watch the few films of hers where she wasn’t just a “dumb blonde.”
I confess, despite begrudgingly being labelled a film bro, I knew shockingly little about her life and filmography (having only seen Some Like It Hot), though always assumed there was a lot more to her than the “dumb blonde” persona.
This book does an excellent job of painting a vivid portrait of the multi-faceted Norma/Marilyn in a few fairly short essays that focus on her turbulent upbringing, career, relationships, body image and so much more.
Anyone who’s seen my bedroom knows my fascination with James Dean, particularly how, since he died so young, posterity is fixated on both what he never became and what he could have been.
Similar observations are made about Monroe:
“When the past dies, there is mourning, but when the future dies our imaginations are compelled to carry it on.”
The final chapter of the book speculates on all the things she may have gone on to do, if not for her premature death. It’s a really hard-hitting way of summarising just how long and fulfilling her life would have been, if it wasn’t full of cunts.
For me, the most enraging part of her life story (besides all the trigger warning stuff), is how, despite her being very openly well read, curious and intelligent, her colleagues, biographers and the media as a whole completely dismissed this as a facade to make herself seem more than she was.
Now I’m going to go and watch the few films of hers where she wasn’t just a “dumb blonde.”
March 20, 2017
I was surprised that Gloria Steinem wrote a book about Marilyn Monroe, because I do not think of Marilyn as a feminist figure. This book gave me so many insights into Marilyn's personality and tragic upbringing. I really felt protective of her! Then I was amazed that she (both Marilyn and Steinem) could make me feel this way when I was just reading some text and not even interacting with her.
Marilyn had such a sad life! Her words in her last interview were heartbreaking: "What I really want to say: That what the world really needs is a real feeling of kinship. Everybody: stars, labourers, Negroes, Jews, Arabs. We are all brothers. Please don't make me a joke. End the interview with what I believe." (The journalist did not use it.)
Also this was insightful: "I think that when you are famous every weakness is exaggerated. … Goethe said, "Talent is developed in privacy," you know? And it's really true. … Creativity has got to start with humanity and when you're a human being, you feel, you suffer. You're gay, you're sick, you're nervous or whatever."
"When you're famous you kind of run into human nature in a raw kind of way. It stirs up envy, fame does. People you run into feel that, well, who does she think she is, Marilyn Monroe? They feel fame gives them some kind of privilege to walk up to you and say anything to you, of any kind of nature — and it won't hurt your feelings — like it's happening to your clothes not you."
"People had a habit of looking at me as if I were some kind of mirror instead of a person. They didn't see me, they saw their own lewd thoughts, then they white-masked themselves by calling me the lewd one."
Marilyn had such a sad life! Her words in her last interview were heartbreaking: "What I really want to say: That what the world really needs is a real feeling of kinship. Everybody: stars, labourers, Negroes, Jews, Arabs. We are all brothers. Please don't make me a joke. End the interview with what I believe." (The journalist did not use it.)
Also this was insightful: "I think that when you are famous every weakness is exaggerated. … Goethe said, "Talent is developed in privacy," you know? And it's really true. … Creativity has got to start with humanity and when you're a human being, you feel, you suffer. You're gay, you're sick, you're nervous or whatever."
"When you're famous you kind of run into human nature in a raw kind of way. It stirs up envy, fame does. People you run into feel that, well, who does she think she is, Marilyn Monroe? They feel fame gives them some kind of privilege to walk up to you and say anything to you, of any kind of nature — and it won't hurt your feelings — like it's happening to your clothes not you."
"People had a habit of looking at me as if I were some kind of mirror instead of a person. They didn't see me, they saw their own lewd thoughts, then they white-masked themselves by calling me the lewd one."
January 23, 2021
An engaging, tragic tale of Marilyn Monroe (Norma Jeane). It's an interesting feminist narrative that is only brought down occasionally by some psychological hypothesizing.
The story is clearly written by someone who is condensing a lot of information from other sources; because of this it can be occasionally tough to remember who is who from all of the names. However, it easy enough to read and works as an engaging exploration of various parts of Marilyn's life. It only suffers because it occasionally makes hypotheses about Marilyn's psyche that feel very rooted in the feminism and time period that this book was written.
The photos included are an obvious highlight of the book. Taken by the photographer, George Barris, they add an extra tragic dimension to the story. I found that the emotional impact of the book was increased just by the inclusion of these photos contrasted with the story of her life. On top of that, they are just good pictures in general.
This is well worth a read but be prepared for a depressing story. Recommended for all film/classic hollywood fans, fans of Marilyn Monroe or those interested in a feminist narrative covering some of Monroe's life and impact. 4/5
The story is clearly written by someone who is condensing a lot of information from other sources; because of this it can be occasionally tough to remember who is who from all of the names. However, it easy enough to read and works as an engaging exploration of various parts of Marilyn's life. It only suffers because it occasionally makes hypotheses about Marilyn's psyche that feel very rooted in the feminism and time period that this book was written.
The photos included are an obvious highlight of the book. Taken by the photographer, George Barris, they add an extra tragic dimension to the story. I found that the emotional impact of the book was increased just by the inclusion of these photos contrasted with the story of her life. On top of that, they are just good pictures in general.
This is well worth a read but be prepared for a depressing story. Recommended for all film/classic hollywood fans, fans of Marilyn Monroe or those interested in a feminist narrative covering some of Monroe's life and impact. 4/5
August 9, 2017
I learned a lot about Marilyn Monroe from this book, and I found it really interesting and compelling. However, I didn't like the way Gloria Steinem wrote this biography. She dedicated this book to "the real Marilyn" but throughout the book she seemed to present a caricature of a person, a "vulnerable, child-like sex goddess." Monroe was referred as that so many times it threw me off and was kind of disgusting. Yes, I understand Steinem was attempting to draw a distinction between Marilyn Monroe and Norma Jeane. There is no need to attack the Marilyn side of her, and this weird idolization of Norma Jeane is unnecessary and a bit creepy. I almost felt like the biography was written for kids: everything was so black-and-white, centered around the false Norma Jeane and Marilyn Monroe dichotomy.
I honestly enjoyed reading Marilyn, but I wish it was more of an honest picture of her both as a star and as Norma Jeane. The beautiful pictures of Monroe throughout enhanced the reading experience. In the end, this book made me wish I was Monroe's friend, and that I was able to provide her with some warmth and support. Steinem truly did write a very empathetic account of Monroe's life.
I honestly enjoyed reading Marilyn, but I wish it was more of an honest picture of her both as a star and as Norma Jeane. The beautiful pictures of Monroe throughout enhanced the reading experience. In the end, this book made me wish I was Monroe's friend, and that I was able to provide her with some warmth and support. Steinem truly did write a very empathetic account of Monroe's life.
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August 27, 2023"As a woman, she was rarely rewarded for being an adult or independent and often rewarded for being childlike, dependent feminine." p. 119 Steinem believed that she was a very fragile and basically unhappy person. She most likely died of her own hand but there is an indication that there was a cover-up regarding her personal relationship with John and then Robert Kennedy.
I was never as interested in Marilyn as most American women, I suspect I only read the book because my daughter brought a copy home.
I was never as interested in Marilyn as most American women, I suspect I only read the book because my daughter brought a copy home.
July 26, 2020
A series of essays, not a biography. This was published in 1986, I expect Steinem’s view on Marilyn would have been groundbreaking then. A compelling read that considers her life from many angles and clearly tries to be both honest and fair, not pervy or bitchy. Marilyn, like all people, was too complex to be a one-note punchline or victim. I didn’t know Marilyn had an affair with Bobby Kennedy or that he ended it soon before her death. I think it’s time to watch Some Like It Hot again.
November 11, 2021
A too fragile woman making her way through life and all it’s hurdles, from childhood neglect to merciless Hollywood machine to her own addictions.
How do you manage to combine an extreme insecurity and being a movie star? Apparently, you don’t… According to Gloria Steinem’s research, Marilyn never overcame her troubled childhood and this was at the core of all else, from failed relationships, all pervasive loneliness to various addictions.
How do you manage to combine an extreme insecurity and being a movie star? Apparently, you don’t… According to Gloria Steinem’s research, Marilyn never overcame her troubled childhood and this was at the core of all else, from failed relationships, all pervasive loneliness to various addictions.
April 2, 2024
When I was little, in the 1990's, I resented Marilyn as a symbol of patriarchy. Then, a little older, I felt bad for her when I learned of her depression, etc. This was a very interesting look at her life. I love Gloria Steinem and I think she did a great job. The book is physically big and heavy and hard to hold and read.
January 4, 2025
I love you Marilyn. I am sorry what they did to you.
After researching which Marilyn biography to read, this book striked me as the best. Written by a female author, this raw and truthful retelling of Marilyn’s life has left a deep hole in my heart, it was so beautifully and empathetically done.
After researching which Marilyn biography to read, this book striked me as the best. Written by a female author, this raw and truthful retelling of Marilyn’s life has left a deep hole in my heart, it was so beautifully and empathetically done.
January 20, 2024
A sweet, complex, and touching exploration of Marilyn as a public and private woman. Coupled with intimate portraits, Steinem tenderly turns over the mystery and myth surrounding Marilyn, revealing an earnest, anxious, ambitious girl. I teared up at the final photo.
June 3, 2018
I am an old Hollywood fan as well as intrigued by Marilyn's life. Interesting read that uses her last interview to weave evidence into a story about her life.
January 17, 2020
I have been fascinated by the stories of Marilyn Monroe. This was an interesting and sad story.
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