acrosstheskyinstars's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was a great read for those of us who love Weimar Germany and the cabaret scenes of the past. Marlene Dietrich exudes a sense of old Hollywood glamor that everyone finds captivating, which really shined through in this book. The author was able to write a compelling (although fictionalized) account of her life. I must also admit that I'm a sucker for anything involving Berlin. In this case, I loved the symbolism that Berlin provided in Marlene's life. Beyond those who love Germany's decadent past, I'd recommend this to anyone who loved The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. While not 100% identical, this gave me Evelyn Hugo vibes in the best way possible.
amberrc's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
srm401's review
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
evawondergem's review
adventurous
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
jennbairos's review
4.0
I have always loved history told through stories. I gravitate often towards historical fiction when reading because I throughly enjoy learning about people, places, and events that I didn't know of before. I sincerely believe that the more we know about other people, their challenges, and their resolve, the more empathetic we become ourselves. For me, historical fiction allows me to walk in the shoes of others in a very accessible way. This has certainly been the case with C. W. Gortner's new novel, Marlene.
From cabarets in Germany to Academy Award nominations in Hollywood to actively serving during World War II, the life of Marlene Dietrich was nothing short of fascinating.
This book is told from Marlene's perspective, and I found it very easy to connect with her. I felt as though Marlene herself was telling me about her life, or that I was reading her personal journals where she had been documenting her extraordinary life's journey. I found the writing style very captivating, and Gortner authentically brought to life many people, each with their distinct traits and characteristics. This novel is incredibly well-researched and very enjoyable to read. In the notes at the end of the book, Gortner says that every single person in the novel was real, and I sincerely appreciate that attention to detail.
I haven't yet seen any of Marlene Dietrich's movies, and to be honest, I didn't have more than a vague idea of who she was before I read this book; however, with her independence and determination, Marlene is certainly a woman I will not soon forget. I'm so happy to have learned her story, and I look forward to seeing some of Marlene's movies that Gortner describes in the book.
While Marlene is not technically a memoir, anyone who enjoys reading memoirs will enjoy reading Gortner's book.
From cabarets in Germany to Academy Award nominations in Hollywood to actively serving during World War II, the life of Marlene Dietrich was nothing short of fascinating.
This book is told from Marlene's perspective, and I found it very easy to connect with her. I felt as though Marlene herself was telling me about her life, or that I was reading her personal journals where she had been documenting her extraordinary life's journey. I found the writing style very captivating, and Gortner authentically brought to life many people, each with their distinct traits and characteristics. This novel is incredibly well-researched and very enjoyable to read. In the notes at the end of the book, Gortner says that every single person in the novel was real, and I sincerely appreciate that attention to detail.
I haven't yet seen any of Marlene Dietrich's movies, and to be honest, I didn't have more than a vague idea of who she was before I read this book; however, with her independence and determination, Marlene is certainly a woman I will not soon forget. I'm so happy to have learned her story, and I look forward to seeing some of Marlene's movies that Gortner describes in the book.
While Marlene is not technically a memoir, anyone who enjoys reading memoirs will enjoy reading Gortner's book.
faithtrustozdust's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I read this book as someone who is a fan of Dietrich and knew the broad basics of her life, but wanted something more in depth without being a straight up biography. This book fit that to a T, covering her life from a very young age to after WWII. The main flaw here being that because there is not one central event or relationship explored in depth, to me if felt some extremely fast paced, never stopping anywhere I wanted long enough, and extremely slow. I also felt there lacked a central arc, and though there is a sense of growth as you follow Dietrich, it doesn't feel satisfying.
The best part of the book is the section on WWII which is unfortunately, towards the end. One of the scenes in particular, was absolutely gut wrenching to read.
Overall I would recommend the book for fans about Dietrich or those curious to get a little more perspective on any of the fascinating time periods she lived through. You do benefit a lot from being directly inside her head. The version I consumed was the audiobook, and the woman who read it did a fantastic job.
The best part of the book is the section on WWII which is unfortunately, towards the end. One of the scenes in particular,
Spoiler
a meeting with her sister, who, along with her husband, worked for the NazisOverall I would recommend the book for fans about Dietrich or those curious to get a little more perspective on any of the fascinating time periods she lived through. You do benefit a lot from being directly inside her head. The version I consumed was the audiobook, and the woman who read it did a fantastic job.
allisonthurman's review
5.0
As ever with my book reviews, words fail me. I started this book review not knowing much about Marlene Dietrich and finished it wanting to know more!
I always have a deep interest in people who did it their own way, and Dietrich was a true original. From her dogged work ethic to her unusual management of her personal life to her dedication to her USO tour during the WWII, she knew who she was and what she wanted. The times when she was at a loss didn't ground her but motivated her to "tu etwas" (do something).
Thrilling (her early years in Weimar Germany) to sobering (her coming to terms with Germany at the end of WWII) in turns, this is a cracking read, and Gortner was smart enough not to try to include her whole life - just her teen years through her forties. Recommended
I always have a deep interest in people who did it their own way, and Dietrich was a true original. From her dogged work ethic to her unusual management of her personal life to her dedication to her USO tour during the WWII, she knew who she was and what she wanted. The times when she was at a loss didn't ground her but motivated her to "tu etwas" (do something).
Thrilling (her early years in Weimar Germany) to sobering (her coming to terms with Germany at the end of WWII) in turns, this is a cracking read, and Gortner was smart enough not to try to include her whole life - just her teen years through her forties. Recommended
abookishaffair's review
4.0
Prior to reading this book, I basically knew that Marlene Dietrich was an Old Hollywood star (with absolutely stunning bone structure) who was originally from Germany - not much at all. In this book, C.W. Gortner breathes life into this woman and shows why she is still so well remembered by so many. She is a fascinating person and it easy to see why she makes such a great subject for this historical fiction.
The book is told from the perspective of Marlene. I absolutely loved being able to really step into her shoes through this book and see what she saw. Marlene does a lot of living, particularly in the earlier years of her life and it was great to see it through her eyes and to hear her explain what she was going through and what she was thinking. The book starts during her very early life as a schoolgirl in Germany so we get to know her well before she became a Hollywood siren. I loved how Gortner shows her progression from a rather shy young girl to someone who isn't afraid to put herself out there. She indulges in many pleasures throughout her young life. Her rise to Hollywood was also wonderful to read about.
I've read several of Gortner's books before and I love his way with words. He does a great job of creating very unique voices for his characters and making them incredibly memorable. By the end of the book, Marlene felt incredibly intimate to me and this book only whetted my appetite to read more about her in the future. The descriptions are a true treat for my fellow historical fiction fans!
The book is told from the perspective of Marlene. I absolutely loved being able to really step into her shoes through this book and see what she saw. Marlene does a lot of living, particularly in the earlier years of her life and it was great to see it through her eyes and to hear her explain what she was going through and what she was thinking. The book starts during her very early life as a schoolgirl in Germany so we get to know her well before she became a Hollywood siren. I loved how Gortner shows her progression from a rather shy young girl to someone who isn't afraid to put herself out there. She indulges in many pleasures throughout her young life. Her rise to Hollywood was also wonderful to read about.
I've read several of Gortner's books before and I love his way with words. He does a great job of creating very unique voices for his characters and making them incredibly memorable. By the end of the book, Marlene felt incredibly intimate to me and this book only whetted my appetite to read more about her in the future. The descriptions are a true treat for my fellow historical fiction fans!
tristanrobinblakeman's review
4.0
I've read two other biographies of Marlene Dietrich, and though this is a first-person novelization of her life from late adolescence through her middle-age cabaret career, it sticks very closely to the facts that have been stated in more scholarly works. And it's much more entertaining to read! In fact, I read it overnight...and it's not a short book!
As I said, I've read other biographies of Marlene (a favorite of mine), so I don't know that this book taught me anything new. From her early struggles as a violist, her popularity at the drag bars of decadent Weimar Berlin, her discovery by the great Josef von Sternberg, her quick rise to fame in both Germany and America, her polyamorous view of life and her many lovers both male and female, her sister and brother-in-law's collaborating with the Nazis, her urgency to entertain the Allied troops at the front, and her post film career life doing an immensely popular cabaret act. (I actually saw her with my parents in Las Vegas when I was just a kid and had no idea I was see a living breathing legend!) But, having it 'novelized,' and written in the first person, makes it all very immediate and the author, C.W. Gortner, seems to have some special insight into her emotions and feelings because they all ring true and authentic to the moment.
The writing is clean, precise, and reigns in a huge cast of characters (some famous, some not) never confusing the reader (I'm one of those who often have to flip back through a book thinking 'now who the hell is THAT one?' not in this book.) She has obviously done her research, so you don't have to wonder how much is true and how much isn't (as you do with so many novelizations of historical characters - a particular pet peeve of mine). It reads fast (it's over 400 pages in the Nook Book, and it took only one day to read).
I recommend to film history buffs, people interested in WWII USO history, pre-and post-Nazi Berlin, and of course, fans of Marlene Dietrich.
As I said, I've read other biographies of Marlene (a favorite of mine), so I don't know that this book taught me anything new. From her early struggles as a violist, her popularity at the drag bars of decadent Weimar Berlin, her discovery by the great Josef von Sternberg, her quick rise to fame in both Germany and America, her polyamorous view of life and her many lovers both male and female, her sister and brother-in-law's collaborating with the Nazis, her urgency to entertain the Allied troops at the front, and her post film career life doing an immensely popular cabaret act. (I actually saw her with my parents in Las Vegas when I was just a kid and had no idea I was see a living breathing legend!) But, having it 'novelized,' and written in the first person, makes it all very immediate and the author, C.W. Gortner, seems to have some special insight into her emotions and feelings because they all ring true and authentic to the moment.
The writing is clean, precise, and reigns in a huge cast of characters (some famous, some not) never confusing the reader (I'm one of those who often have to flip back through a book thinking 'now who the hell is THAT one?' not in this book.) She has obviously done her research, so you don't have to wonder how much is true and how much isn't (as you do with so many novelizations of historical characters - a particular pet peeve of mine). It reads fast (it's over 400 pages in the Nook Book, and it took only one day to read).
I recommend to film history buffs, people interested in WWII USO history, pre-and post-Nazi Berlin, and of course, fans of Marlene Dietrich.
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