This is a really excellent and highly informative biography about Marilyn Monroe. It does an outstanding job of clearing up a great many rumors and myths that have surrounded her life over the years. The account of her very controversial death is extremely detailed, leaving no stone unturned. I truly enjoyed reading this book, despite the fact that it was LONG, heavy, and took me an incredibly long time to get through. It was well worth the effort, however, as it provided a comprehensive and fascinating look into the life and times of one of the most iconic figures in Hollywood history. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about Marilyn Monroe or the golden age of Hollywood.

I liked Marilyn Monroe before I read this book.

Now, my feelings towards her have become more complex. I both love and hate her. I respect her, yet at the same time, I don't. She was a woman full of contradictions. She was ambitious, yet insecure. She could be truthfully blunt, yet also dishonest.

Unlike most people these days who go around quoting Monroe without even knowing anything about her, I've actually seen a few of her films, such as Some Like It Hot and Gentleman Prefer Blondes. I never did watch The Misfits, having heard that it wasn't very good. However, now because of this book, I'm curious to see how disastrous it really was.

The book is filled with details, to the extent that some of them are even boring. But it's supposedly the most accurate account of Monroe's life. I actually shed tears when I reached the part about how she died and what really happened. And the description of Joe DeMaggio staying with her even after she was gone, and her make-up artist doing her face one last time, it was truly beautiful and touching.

This book has made me see Marilyn Monroe in a whole new light and has deepened my understanding and emotions towards her.

Oh.

That's my reaction after just finishing reading about a human being who lived. A person who experienced pain, joy, triumph, and so much more. She wasn't just a suffering artist at the mercy of Hollywood studios. It appears that her life wasn't any more or less tragic than that of most people. However, according to this account, she "acted" despite crippling anxiety. Oh, and she didn't kill herself - it was the pseudo-Hollywood-type doctors.

I'd really like to see the real movie or series now. Let's witness our beloved Marilyn making choices about who she sleeps with because she wants to. Let's see her having no problem using men's desire to get what she wants. Let's see her cutting toxic people off like warts. And let's see her starting a production company because she's sick of FOX's bs.

I understand now. Her death was tragic, but her life was not. It was a life filled with choices, actions, and a determination to live on her own terms, despite the many challenges and obstacles she faced.

This is a rather challenging book to review, which is precisely why I've postponed it for so long. I've perused numerous biographies and understand the importance of choosing carefully, ensuring that it is well-researched and respected. Before stumbling upon Donald Spoto's "Rebel" about James Dean, I had read far too many speculative biographies. Thankfully, Spoto's work properly acknowledged the gaps and didn't fabricate information.

So, I approached this book about Norma Jeane and Marilyn with confidence that Spoto would present the truth and disclose what he couldn't uncover. Indeed, this is a rather dry read. It's not as accessible as John Coldstream's authorized biography of Dirk Bogarde or the effortless brilliance of Patricia Bosworth's biography of Montgomery Clift. Spoto does repeat himself at times within a few pages and provides brief summaries of each major figure in Marilyn's life. The latter didn't bother me much as it was useful to have the information available for reference.

What truly surprised me, as I read on, was Norma Jeane's sexual openness. Spoto attributes it to a woman comfortable with her sex appeal and body, raised by someone who knew how to utilize that aspect. He explains how Marilyn Monroe was a product of a childhood on the periphery of Hollywood, constantly aspiring to the silver screen and modeling herself after those images. It's a combination of nature and nurture, for sure. He rationalizes it well, but perhaps it's my own sense of morality and ethics that recoils from such availability.

The fact that she had a natural affinity for the camera and, as an extension, made love to the photographer, as Spoto explains. The fact that she had a long affair with her agent, despite little love on her part. The fact that she slept with at least one producer. I try to rationalize it to myself, thinking maybe those were different times, perhaps the 1930s when Kate Hepburn was striving for stardom were distinct. As far as I know, Hepburn never slept with anyone to advance her career, and I'd be furious if anyone suggested otherwise.

The idea of relying on something other than one's craft to achieve success deeply appalls me. Maybe I shouldn't believe Spoto when he claims, with cited interviews and such, that Marilyn did these things? I'm not sure anymore.

What astounded me, especially considering the Marilyn fans I know online, is the calm assertion that she occasionally solicited on the boulevard in her early days in Hollywood. The dedicated MM fandom online, of which I count myself, would have you believe Marilyn never engaged in prostitution. Spoto perhaps offers a bit of an apology for this and later supports himself by explaining how Marilyn turned potential scandals to her advantage, similar to how she rationalized the nude pictures as a result of poverty. I, on the other hand, was covering my eyes, imagining the furious reaction from fans online who haven't yet read this biography.

However, there is a great deal of love and compassion in this book. A lot of care has been taken to depict Marilyn with all her flaws and virtues, explaining the psychological motivation behind both. What I truly loved was the analysis of her image and symbolism in the context of 1950s morality and the publication of the Kinsey study. I was also quite fascinated by how intuitively clever she was at manipulating the press to her advantage while keeping her charitable works out of the public eye.

Spoto is unequivocal about who he believes was responsible for her death. In fact, that final part makes for extremely gripping reading, and it was only later that I realized it was all theory. A quite plausible theory, yes, and compellingly presented. But still, theory.

What chilled me to the core was witnessing the可怕的dependency on medication unfold. It has been repeated so many times throughout Hollywood history and yet never loses its horror. To know that it's still happening and we're still losing talented individuals to it.

I read this book, completely believing in its truth and trusting Spoto to the tiniest detail. And then, strangely enough, the week after I finished it, I came down the stairs in my apartment building and found a biography of Laurence Olivier in the foyer. And it was by Spoto. Naturally, I snatched it up with great excitement and rushed to the bus stop on my way to work. By the time I reached the office, I discovered that apparently Spoto had completely fabricated information in that biography, and even Joan Plowright had denounced him, albeit not directly.

So now I'm doubting his Marilyn biography. Damn it.

An incredibly informed, exhaustive, and compassionate biography of one of the most fascinating icons of all time has been presented. I've always had a bit of a soft spot for Marilyn Monroe, and this biography truly reminded me not only of the allure of her films but also of her life and the myths that surround it, which have always captured my interest. Spoto locates her life within a rich historical context, most notably analyzing the so-called "Golden Age" of Hollywood, which wasn't as golden as it seemed. This made me even more intrigued by the culture and period in which Marilyn rose to fame, especially the ways in which she remains so instantly recognizable, debated, and adored almost half a century after her death.

Spoto's style is admirably objective, although biographies can never truly be "unbiased." He presents the events, recounts various perspectives, and leaves the reader to form their own opinion of what "really" happened. He clearly has a lot of sympathy for Monroe, but I don't think this in any way "taints" his presentation in the biography. It's difficult to remain entirely heartless when discussing a figure who is so revered and reviled, so culturally present, and so vigorously imagined. Besides, her story is truly tragic.

I was perhaps most surprised by Spoto's discussion of the events leading up to, during, and immediately following her death. He's not sensationalist at all, and I had always believed the myth that her life was spiraling out of control at the time of her death. In fact, as Spoto points out, she was making significant changes and finally attempting to claim some independence. She was getting rid of her overbearing therapist and had already fired the prying housemaid. She had future plans for reconciliation with Joe Dimaggio, was working on plans to finish the unfinished film "Something's Got to Give," and was planning a few new projects, including a possible biopic of her idol, Jean Harlow. Although we'll never know for sure, Spoto seems to really dispel the theory that Marilyn Monroe intentionally committed suicide that fateful night. His theory on her death, an accidental overdose due to an enema administered by Murray under orders of Greenson, is perhaps the most plausible one yet. He also intelligently illuminates MM's relationships with both Kennedy brothers. I was almost embarrassed to admit that I got a little emotional as I reached the end, as I kept expecting the outcome to be different. But of course, it wasn't. However, this biography comes highly recommended. It's an intelligent, thoroughly researched, provocative, and intriguing read, perhaps the best I've encountered regarding the woman who defines an era.

Lately, I have found myself in a rather conflicted state when it comes to the books I have been reading. Donald Spoto is truly a remarkable biographer, extremely thorough in his work. I was initially quite excited to explore more of his writings. He manages to create a captivating portrait of this mysterious woman, who has inexplicably entranced not only me but also most of society.

However, as I delved deeper into the book, my interest in her began to wane. In the end, I realized that she is just like any other celebrity - beautiful yet selfish, with a plethora of known and unknown issues.

I managed to get about halfway through the book, but today, I made the decision to put it down for good. I firmly believe that there are better books on my reading list that are far more worthy of my time. This hefty tome, consisting of more than 700 pages, is simply more than I desire to read about anyone, unless it is Christ.

The moral of the story is that while the author is wonderful, the subject matter is not quite as engaging. She is not someone I would aspire to emulate, despite the remarkable allure she still holds 50 years after her death.

Marilyn Monroe's story has always been a subject of great interest. In the quoted text, she is described as taking a drastic measure by threatening to harm herself if not released. However, it is also noted that she might not have actually gone through with it as she was too hot-tempered.

"Jeden střep jsem si schovala do ruky a naznačila jim, že pokud mě nepustí, ublížím si. Ve skutečnosti bych se schválně nikdy nezmrzačila, na to jsem moc ješitná."

While Summers depicted Marilyn as a washed-up starlet, Spoto was more concerned with portraying her as a victim of a washed-up psychiatrist. He did this so convincingly that it dispelled all theories about her connection to the Kennedy clan.

Zatímco Summers vykreslil Marilyn jako praštěnou feťačku, Spoto si dal záležet, aby ji popsal sice jako štětku, která se však stala obětí praštěnýho psychiatra. A to tak přesvědčivě, jako by nebylo pochyb, kdo a jak jí zabil, čímž naprosto rozprášil veškeré teorie o spojení s klanem Kennedyů.

Unfortunately, one flaw in the book is the overwhelming number of details. Some passages, like those about DiMaggio or Greenson, seem overly elaborate. Moreover, many of the facts lack proper sources, and in some cases, the author even reformulates original testimonies and edits Marilyn's letters.

Jedna hvězdička chybí paradoxně kvůli obrovskýmu množství detailů. To, že kniha má vyloženě zbytečný pasáže např. o DiMaggiovi nebo Greensonovi, bych ještě překousnul. Jenže u příliš mnoha údajů chybí zdroje, v některých pasážích autor rovnou reformuluje původní výpovědi, často taky redakčně upravuje i Marilyniny dopisy.

Therefore, I must search for another, more recent book to gain a more accurate understanding of Marilyn Monroe's life and death.

Not being a huge Marilyn fan, the book seemed a bit too detailed for me.

I was actually in search of fiction, but this turned out to be more of a documented summary of a unique lifetime.

The impact of Marilyn's childhood on her adult life is especially well exposed and analyzed.

It delves deep into the events and circumstances of her early years that shaped her into the person she became.

The author has done a thorough job of presenting the facts and exploring how her upbringing influenced her relationships, career choices, and overall outlook on life.

Although it may not have been the fictional story I was initially hoping for, it still provides valuable insights into the life of a complex and iconic figure.

For those who are interested in Marilyn Monroe and want to understand the factors that contributed to her rise to stardom and ultimate downfall, this book is definitely worth a read.

I read this book more than 20 years ago and uncovered a person hidden behind the icon that is Marilyn Monroe. She was an actual individual, with real feelings, who experienced life and love just like the rest of us. It is truly a pity that so many people only perceive the external image or icon she became, rather than the person she was on the inside.

Marilyn Monroe was much more than just a beautiful face and a glamorous figure. She had dreams, fears, joys, and sorrows. She was a complex human being with a rich inner life. However, due to her iconic status, many people overlooked the real person and focused solely on the image that had been created and promoted.

By reading this book, I was able to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for Marilyn Monroe as a person. It made me realize that behind every icon, there is a real individual with a unique story to tell. We should not simply judge or idolize someone based on their external appearance or public persona, but rather take the time to look beyond the surface and discover the person within.

The original article seems a bit short and lacking in detail. Let's expand it to 300 words while maintaining the overall meaning.

Ok, not great! This simple phrase holds a lot of meaning. It implies that something is just satisfactory, but not outstanding. It could refer to a performance, a result, or even a feeling. When we say "ok, not great," we are expressing a certain level of disappointment or dissatisfaction. However, it also shows that we have a standard and are able to recognize when something falls short of our expectations.

Perhaps we were hoping for more, but instead, we received something that was merely average. This could lead to a sense of frustration or a desire to do better. On the other hand, it could also serve as a motivation to strive for improvement. We can use this feedback to analyze what went wrong and make the necessary changes to achieve a better outcome in the future.

In conclusion, "ok, not great" may not be the most positive评价, but it can still provide valuable insights. It reminds us that there is always room for growth and that we should never settle for mediocrity. By using this phrase as a starting point, we can work towards achieving greater things and reaching our full potential.

A biography of astonishing depth.

Reading this book cements my place as a fan - not of Marilyn Monroe the sex symbol, but of the woman, the 'little girl lost'. She achieved so much as an actress despite crippling insecurity, low self-esteem, and little self-worth. It's a great pity that her acting abilities were not recognized or fully appreciated until after her death.

From a personal perspective, I recognized certain aspects of her behavior and character traits from my time as a foster carer. This book offers a comprehensive study of her life. While it debunks the usual murder plot that is often trotted out, it does convincingly hold people culpable for the actress's death. At the end, we are left with a definable sense of sadness. Sadness at the end of the life of a woman who needed to rely upon, became dependent on, and ultimately was failed by others. It's truly a great read.

It starts off fine.

I have no doubt about the historical accuracy of the biographer at the beginning. However, his self-righteous attitude really gets on my nerves.

He wastes a lot of time gloating over his ability to disprove other biographies rather than simply presenting the facts as he has them.

He also goes off on too many tangents about peripheral characters, as if to say "look at how much I know about them!"

And then, unfortunately, he gets sloppy. He starts inferring things, emotions, and even suggesting bits of dialogue that may not be entirely accurate.

Ultimately, I still believe in his findings, but there was definitely a better way for him to present them.

Maybe he could have focused more on the facts and less on showing off his knowledge and disproving others.

This would have made the biography more engaging and easier to read, without sacrificing its historical accuracy.