Rate this book

Marilyn: The Passion And Paradox (2012)

by Lois Banner(Favorite Author)

3.66 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

1608195317 (ISBN13: 9781608195312)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Bloomsbury USA

review 1: Hundreds of books have been written about Marilyn, some of which are insightful - others which are tasteless and insulting towards Monroe. This interesting, provocative biography focuses on Monroe from a feminist and socialist perspective; 'a new take' on the actresses life. It begins typical of many other biographies covering Monroe, charting her family history back to the 19th century and what little information there is available on her maternal grandmothers side. Records from this time are sparse, although the author manages to gather the information well and provides a couple of images which are not widely used by Monroe biographers. The author stages her work well; staggered into chapters covering particular years and times, making it easier for the reader to digest ... morepiece by piece. She articulates why she is conducting the biography, and from what perspective she intends to make her research known. At times, this makes the biography appear quite academic and corporate (I later noted that the author is a college professor), however, she manages to write in such a way that is intended to appeal to the mass market and your typical Monroe fan. She quotes other biographers work frequently, particularly towards the latter half of the book. Theories are critiqued, perhaps as a way for the author to ensure her work doesn't become too speculative. Monroe's early life is well documented and thorough in its approach. Her childhood and formative years are covered in detail, which is often unusual in biographies of Monroe - some writers prefer to skim through these years and onto the grittier times in Hollywood that shaped the actress we are used to seeing on screen. Monroe's first marriage is discussed in more detail than I have found in other biographies. This offers a valuable insight into Monroe's behaviour in later years (chiefly, her fear of abandonment and seeking strong men to support her emotionally). Her rise into the Golden Hollywood era is, again, thorough and well researched. The author does not mention interviews at this point, giving her work a questionable level of authenticity, until it is realised that her numerous conversations with people from that era and other Monroe biographers helped shaped her work. Marilyn's career is, of course, a focal point of the authors work, however she does not neglect to chart her personal and private life. This has its advantages, allowing the reader to gain a greater understanding of the book's subject. Conversely, the author does indeed (as other reviewers have noted) that the writer focuses often on Monroe's sexuality, her possible bisexuality and her numerous affairs with men and women. This aspect grows as the book continues, which I found irritating at times. I appreciate that the author is choosing to display her work from a particular aspect; however her growing dependence on how Monroe's sexuality impacted on her actions is troubling. Perhaps Monroe was bisexual, perhaps she was gay, perhaps she was neither. Whatever the case, it will always be disputed. She is, after all, the symbol of heterosexuality for the mid 20th century.Unlike most biographies of Marilyn, her death is not widely discussed. The author gives both the official account published, and picks upon the various theories by other writers documented throughout the years. She admires the brilliant biography by Anthony Summers, published in the 1980's, and references his work frequently. As mentioned previously, this does add a somewhat academic feel to the biography. Overall, I would recommend this book to Monroe fans. Identified as a feminist perspective on Monroe was a gamble - feminism was not a widely used term in the time Monroe was alive. As the author cleverly notes; if Marilyn were to live several years longer, would she have called herself a feminist...?
review 2: Author Lois Banner is a women's studies scholar who wades through all the fluffy glamour gossip layers and presents Marilyn Monroe as two people -- Marilyn the character and Marilyn the actor and all her dreams.A very good read with interesting, albeit repetitive, every day goings ons. The index leaves a little to be desired. I've been trying to re-discover Marilyn's dream role, which she never had the opportunity to play. I re-read some of the book in the library stacks and she wanted to play Grushenka, from Dostoevsky's Brothers Karamazov.Very awesome book! Vacillates between blonde-bomb shell behavior descriptions and Marilyn's life-long pursuit of knowledge and understanding of her craft. A true commedienne was Marilyn! less

Download links for: Marilyn: The Passion and Paradox

Advertising