"Blonde," by Joyce Carol Oates

I purchased this book because I had read strong, positive reviews.  I'm not unhappy that I read it, because I really knew almost nothing about Marilyn Monroe, but I don't think I'm better off for having read it.

This is a fictionalized version of what Marilyn Monroe's life might have been like if viewed through a stream of consciousness inner monologue of what Monroe and those who viewed or interacted with Monroe thought was real.  Monroe's inner monologue seems much more fantasy, whereas other characters (sometimes identified, often not) seem to have a matter-of-fact take, viewed through the prism of their impressions of Marilyn and the hazy mists of drugs, alcohol, and self-deception that the author imagines would have surrounded them in real life.

I find the book a heart breaker from beginning to end.  Marilyn Monroe was never real.  She was a character created for the real person inside, Norma Jean Baker.  But Norma Jean, though she always wanted others to "see" and love her, the real person, lost herself at an early age.  The child of a drug and alcohol-addicted washed-up wannabe; more often abused than understood; we feel in the book that she never, ever had a chance.

And each chance that comes her way is like a rug abruptly, forcefully, pulled out from under her, with ever increasing negative consequences.

There are definitely times when Norma Jean could have made better choices, but it seems that the author, while wanting us to acknowledge this truth, has already made up her mind that Norma Jean's past determines her future, and that Marilyn was always fated to have the last word.

It's a long book.  It's a densely-written book.  It's an addictive book.  In reading it, I've found myself identifying with Norma Jean - both for the things that happen to her, as well as in the bad decisions she makes.  I definitely had moments of "there but for the grace of God go I," without the possibility of super stardom to perhaps ease the blow.  In short, it left me feeling slightly used and dirty.

The one section in the book that really gave me hope was the love between Norma Jean and Arthur Miller.  While it's clear that Miller never completely understood her, it's also made clear that he loved her, and would -- if he'd been allowed -- have been so happy to save her.


Yet Marilyn - because by now, Norma Jean was well and truly buried under Marilyn's spell, despite the fact that she felt abandoned by the glittering and nearly-perfect façade - seems to have decided that one error, one flaw in the men that she thought she could trust and thought she loved, was enough to doom the relationship.  Or maybe she didn't decide it, that's just the way it was.  And Miller let her down.  If you read the book, you'll find out how.

If you're very into Marilyn, or you want an in-depth portrait of one author's vision of her, then read this book.  Otherwise, stay in your comfort zone.  You don't need to waste the weeks or months it will take to get through this tome.

Photo Credits:
Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller:  Photo Richard Avedon copyright the Richard Avedon Foundation
Young Marilyn Monroe:  www.everlastingstar.net