I find it hard to write this review. I love books by Joyce Carol Oates, I think she deserves the Nobel Prize. I am intrigued by the figure of Marilyn Monroe, I read the book "Marilyn" (Goodreads) by Norman Mailer ages ago. I think I was expecting something along that line.
What I got was a description of a child who didn't stand a chance in the world. How she became one of the greatest icons in the film industry? That was a long and arduous way and it didn't bring her any joy.
I had to remind myself often that this was just a book based on the real life story of the film star, even though most of the facts were true.
It was a long and heavy read. Did I enjoy it as much as the other JCO books? I'm not sure but I'm glad I read it.
From the back cover:
"In 'Blonde' we are given an intimate, unsparing vision of the woman who became Marilyn Monroe like no other: the child who visits the cinema with her mother; the orphan whose mother is declared mad; the woman who changes her name to become an actress; the fated celebrity, lover, comedienne, muse and icon. Joyce Carol Oates tells an epic American story of how a fragile, gifted young woman makes and remakes her identity, surviving against crushing odds, perpetually in conflict and intensely driven. Here is the very essence of the individual hungry and needy for love: from an elusive mother; from a mysterious, distant father and from a succession of lovers and husbands. Joyce Carol Oates sympathetically explores the inner life of the woman destined to become Hollywood’s most compelling legend. 'Blonde' is a brilliant and deeply moving portrait of a culture hypnotised by its own myths and the shattering reality of the personal effects it had on the woman who became Marilyn Monroe."
I have an older male friend who absolutely worships MM. Somehow his wife lets him have a movie/theater room that's ringed with movie posters featuring her!
ReplyDeleteWell, she's no threat, right? ;)
DeleteI've never read this one...and I'm not sure I want to. Even though I have read and liked some of Oates' other books.
ReplyDeleteBecause I love JCO so much, it was on my wishlist. But it is so different from her other books that I wouldn't just recommend it like that. Only if you are interested in the subject, Lark.
DeleteI have seen this novel around, but haven't read it. Basically, the length of the book has probably been the biggest turn off for me. I use to love reading books that were over 700+ pages in my youth, but not in my later years as much.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand, Lisa. I still love large books and try to have one on the go constantly. But we all have our differnt loves and aversions. And there are soooo many books, we can't read them all anyway.
DeleteI think Russka and Sarum will keep me busy enough when I get around to reading them... I still enjoy long books, but not as much as in my younger days. I am just a bit more selective about the ones I chose to read as they do take up a large chunk of reading time.
DeleteNothing wrong with that, Lisa. And those two you mentioned are among the best large books I ever read. Absolutely fantastic. Enjoy.
DeleteMy heart constantly breaks for her. She never stood a chance.
ReplyDeleteNo, she didn't, Sarah. What a way to grow up.
DeleteThis is the only book by JCO that I have read, and I definitely had mixed feelings about it. At times, I thought it brilliant, but then at other times it felt coy and exploitative.
ReplyDeleteHere's my review of this book: https://janegs.blogspot.com/2016/07/blonde.html
Reading it didn't inspire me to read other books by this author--I know she is a giant in contemporary fiction, but Blonde was the only one that caught my interest. It really is so sad that MM's fame and success came at such a price. I think she was a terrific actress.
I totally agree with you there, Jane, she was a great actress.
DeleteI think it's sad that you chose MM as the first JCO read because her books are brilliant. I totally understand your feelings about this one, therefore, I recommend you read another one of hers. My first one was "We were the Mulvaneys" which I loved. But "The Falls" and "The Gravedigger's Daughter" were also fantastic.
https://momobookblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/oates-joyce-carol-we-were-mulvaneys.html
https://momobookblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/oates-joyce-carol-falls.html
https://momobookblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/oates-joyce-carol-gravediggers-daughter.html
Or "Middle Age" or "Mudwoman", as I said, all are fantastic.
Thanks for the recommendations, Marianne. I would like to read this author because she is such a contemporary giant, but I really didn't know where to start.
DeleteWell, Jane, if you start with one of these and don't like her, you can easily say you tried her novels and she's just not for you. But I'd be surprised if you didn't go and want to read the next one right away.
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