The Marilyn Diaries

Rating:
Summary: "Marilyn Diaries" FAR Superior to bottled "Blonde"
Review: Why the book "Blonde" by Joyce Carol Oates has gotten more publicity than "The Marilyn Diaries," is beyond me. I was enthralled by this portrait of Marilyn Monroe; I dismissed "Blonde" for the garbage that it is after about 100 pages into it - what the hell is Oates talking about? Meanwhile, I devoured "The Marilyn Diaries." It's not that Casillo's portrayal has less sex or vulgarity (I assume that any "Hollywood star's life would have a fair share of that) - it's that her humanity, vulnerability and intelligence always come through as well. In this book Marilyn comes across as an extremely complicated individual with good points and bad points - but while reading her thoughts, as interpreted by the author, you start to feel why she was such a compelling figure. Casillo didn't feel the need to heap unnecessary abuse and degradation on Monroe in order to make her interesting - instead he created fascinating feelings for her: about love, sex, acting, loneliness and life in general. I guess it takes a very good writer to create a fascinating character. For my money Casillo's got it. Oates doesn't.

Rating:
Summary: Marilyn maintains her dignity
Review: Wow! I have just finished "The Marilyn Diaries" by Charles Casillo, and it was BRILLIANT. He has cleverly woven events of her life into a readable diary, and injected her thoughts and feelings on everything from men, to her childhood, the Kennedys, and her career. Every area is covered, no stone seems left unturned. Other fictional works on her have not been as insightful and truthful in representing Marilyn's personality. What really impressed me is the way it careens towards the climax, like a car swerving on a wet road, an accident waiting to happen. I won't ruin the ending, but it is extremely well written and constructed, and seems entirely plausible. You may have a differing opinion on how she died, as I do, but Charles paints a theory with such clarity of emotion and circumstance that it haunts you. This book represents a Marilyn who will shock you with her humanity. There are degrading and lewd sections, coarse language, and plenty of sex, but throughout it all, she never appears cheap. Instead we love her all the more because we know the WHY behind it all. And isn't that what we're all looking for? The why of Marilyn Monroe. Not the who, not the what, not the where, not the when, but the why. Why did she say that? Why did she do that? Why did she die? This book will certainly leave you with less questions at the end, and a greater understanding of one of the strongest and most fragile women who ever lived.

Rating:
Summary: Marilyn maintains her dignity
Review: Wow! I have just finished "The Marilyn Diaries" by Charles Casillo, and it was BRILLIANT. He has cleverly woven events of her life into a readable diary, and injected her thoughts and feelings on everything from men, to her childhood, the Kennedys, and her career. Every area is covered, no stone seems left unturned. Other fictional works on her have not been as insightful and truthful in representing Marilyn's personality. What really impressed me is the way it careens towards the climax, like a car swerving on a wet road, an accident waiting to happen. I won't ruin the ending, but it is extremely well written and constructed, and seems entirely plausible. You may have a differing opinion on how she died, as I do, but Charles paints a theory with such clarity of emotion and circumstance that it haunts you. This book represents a Marilyn who will shock you with her humanity. There are degrading and lewd sections, coarse language, and plenty of sex, but throughout it all, she never appears cheap. Instead we love her all the more because we know the WHY behind it all. And isn't that what we're all looking for? The why of Marilyn Monroe. Not the who, not the what, not the where, not the when, but the why. Why did she say that? Why did she do that? Why did she die? This book will certainly leave you with less questions at the end, and a greater understanding of one of the strongest and most fragile women who ever lived.