Full disclosure:I was given a free copy of this book to read and review. There was no implication that the review must be favorable.
Could there be a better way to present Marilyn Monroe, a woman who loved to be photographed, than in a graphic novel packed with beautiful images of this beautiful woman? Using a visually arresting collage style, Elizabeth Periale brings a fresh eye and voice to the oft-told tragic story of America’s Bombshell. Having only a passing familiarity with Monroe’s life, the tabloid story, I was pulled into the story by a different perspective, a woman’s perspective. Utilizing an inner dialog, along with other literary devices, Periale has written what reads like the autobiography that Marilyn never had the opportunity to write. It just feels like Marilyn’s personal story.
Through some sort of cosmic serendipity while working on this review, I cable-surfed into an uncut presentation of The Seven Year Itch. I am not going to review the film here, however I couldn’t help noticing how luminous Monroe was on the screen. Maybe I was projecting based on my feelings, having just read Unfinished, but she seemed truly happy to be in the movie. In the book , we are along for the bumpy ride as Marilyn works to become known as more than just another dumb blonde.
“You need to let people know that you’re worth something, worth waiting for.”
This book, and the story it tells, was worth waiting for. I just wish the story hadn’t ended so soon.
Lovely review. I’ve been keeping my eye out for some Marilyn movies, but so far no luck.
p.s. I just wanted to thank you ( and all the willing Cannonballers) who gave my book a chance. I also wanted to update everyone that I took their reviews to heart and just finished bumping up the size, and in some cases, color of the font in Unfinished to aid in readability. I truly appreciated all the feedback, and thanks to the miracle of print-on-demand, was able to make those changes. Thanks again! Elizabeth (xoxoxoe)