Rating: Summary: Ahh...at long last MARILYN emerges Review: "Oh no!" I found myself exclaiming when I came across this novel. "How many re-tellings of this tragic woman's story will there be?" Now, all I can say is, "I'm glad there is this one" It is surprisingly sophisticated and well written. Until now, every time someone has tried to recreate Marilyn Monroe (either in novels, movies, or on the stage) she is portrayed as a grotesque caricature (Blonde,The Immortals, After the Fall) far too uninteresting to have been lavished the attenion she's received through the years. But this book takes the unique approach that what went on inside the mind of Marilyn Monroe was just as instrumental in her appeal as her physical self and the events that happened around her. If she was the complicated, sensitive, intelligent, maddening, funny, bewitching woman the author imagines her to be in "The Marilyn Diaries," then I can see why her image has survived. I hope this book (and I think it will) becomes a point of reference for future writers (and actresses)who try to recreate Marilyn. ...
Rating: Summary: Ahh...at long last MARILYN emerges Review: "Oh no!" I found myself exclaiming when I came across this novel. "How many re-tellings of this tragic woman's story will there be?" Now, all I can say is, "I'm glad there is this one" It is surprisingly sophisticated and well written. Until now, every time someone has tried to recreate Marilyn Monroe (either in novels, movies, or on the stage) she is portrayed as a grotesque caricature (Blonde,The Immortals, After the Fall) far too uninteresting to have been lavished the attenion she's received through the years. But this book takes the unique approach that what went on inside the mind of Marilyn Monroe was just as instrumental in her appeal as her physical self and the events that happened around her. If she was the complicated, sensitive, intelligent, maddening, funny, bewitching woman the author imagines her to be in "The Marilyn Diaries," then I can see why her image has survived. I hope this book (and I think it will) becomes a point of reference for future writers (and actresses)who try to recreate Marilyn. ...
Rating: Summary: A Hauntingly Realistic Novel Review: A beautiful book about a beautiful woman. But is this work fact or fiction? The detailed understanding and sensitivity that Mr Casillo has for the "Blonde Legend" keeps the reader wondering. A poignently tender rendition of a greatly misunderstood American Sex Symbol. A great read that keeps you turning the pages until you reach the end ... leaving you hungry for more! A magnificent debut novel by a highly talented author.
Rating: Summary: The Marilyn Diaries Review: A few weeks ago, I encountered a book, albeit a novel, that has had a profound effect on me. The book is THE MARILYN DIARIES by Charles Casillo.Although I knew from the beginning that it was a novel, I found myself experiencing feelings of guilty pleasure while reading it.Charles has captured the essence of Marilyn Monroe so well, that at times, I felt as though I was actually reading HER diary. He has given a human side to this woman that we have made into a cultural icon. He has depicted Marilyn with the strengths, the frailities, the fears, and the humor that I would like to imagine that she possessed.Additionally, he has brought a dimension to her sexuality that no other author has attempted before.Mr. Casillo has brought Marilyn to life for me and I am grateful for that.
Rating: Summary: "THE MARILYN DIARIES" AND THE AUTHOR Review: All I know is I saw the author of this book on a television talk show and I became intrigued by the chemistry between him and the hostess. Charles Casillo was talking about how he attempted to get into the head of Marilyn Monroe and I became interested by his thoughts on recreating a sensitive and lonely individual in a work of fiction. Although he was dark and masculine I recognized a vulnerable quality in him which was appealing and very sexy---and I thought that pehaps his contrasting characteristics would make him a good writer to take on the task of creating a complicated, sensual character in a novel. Previously I had little interest in Marilyn Monroe but after watching the talk show I was intrigued enough to buy the book. I'm happy to report that I was not disappointed. It's a short book, but "The Marilyn Diaries," is a very provocative character study, and it tells a good story. The result of reading it is that it made me want to rent Marilyn Monroe movies and to know more about her. It made me want to know more about Charles Casillo too.
Rating: Summary: Psychologically interesting Review: As I read this book, I felt that the author's fictionalized approach did yield an intersting psychological portrait.
Rating: Summary: Very interesting, but quite stereotypical... Review: Books written by Marilyn Monroe all have the tendency of hovering around the same aspect of her life: her sexual endeavours. This book is no different, expect for the view from which it is written. Charles Casillo has managed to sucessfully intertwine things Marilyn said, is suspected of saying, and completely off the wall things from his own vivid imagination into quite a compelling read of FICTION. 'The Marilyn Diaries' grasp and hold your attention, but anyone who purchases this novel should take heed to the disclaimer in the beginning. That even though he uses names and places that are common knowledge to any Marilyn Monroe fan, it should not be taken as the true pages of her diary.
Rating: Summary: Great Book Review: Excellent reading and very crisp writing. You can almost feel her presence. The Diary adds an intimate feeling that makes Marilyn seem more like a person and less of a legend. Three cheers for the author!
Rating: Summary: This Is A Must-Have For Any Marilyn Fan! Review: I am a big Marilyn fan, but so many books have been written about her that I was a bit skeptical when I picked up this book by Charles Casillo...well I was literally riveted to this brilliantly and poigiantly executed "Diary" of Marilyn Monroe...I couldn't stop reading until the last page and even then I wanted more...these words could have been her very own...and it is so well researched and done that you feel like she is speaking directly to you.I have to say of all the myriad of Marilyn books I have purchased this is one that I will no doubt read again and again...I LOVED THIS BOOK!
Rating: Summary: THE MARILYN DIARIES Review: I have now finished reading "The Marilyn Diaries" and I have to say that I thought that it was wonderful. It was truly a joy from start to finish, it made me laugh, it was thought provoking and when I got to the end I was in tears. I don't think that anyone who loves Marilyn could fail to be touched by Charles Casillo's obvious affection and understanding of her which comes across in his writing. Some parts of the book I will never forget, so poignant, Marilyn imagines that Tony Curtis will spread lies about her after she is gone and that people will even stoop so low as to sell photographs of her body in death. One paragraph that I keep remembering is when Marilyn falls asleep with Maf under her arm, and how Maf loves her so utterly. All the way through the book it was as if Marilyn was talking to me, allowing me in to her life. I know that we will never know how it definitely may have been, but I believe that this must be pretty close. Thank you Charles Casillo for a book which I would be proud to pass on to people, such as friends who know nothing about Marilyn and say read this, it will show you a beautiful, intelligent, talented, unselfish woman who has the same worries as you or me, but still she was so special, far too special to ever, ever be forgotten.
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