A review by paemerich
Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates
4.0
I have struggled with writing a review of this book because, quite frankly, it was a brutal read. In fact, some would argue that this book defines the need for trigger warnings. But that fact did not alter my enjoyment in reading this book.
This is definitely a book about identity. Much of the book is about the Marilyn character struggling with what her identity is. Specifically, she does her best to actually become the characters in her movies. In addition, she finds it necessary to present herself as whatever the people she is around expect. This may work as an example of "the gaze" for those that are interested in those very literary criticism approaches.
When I first started reading this book, I wondered why it was necessary to invoke the name(s) of Marilyn Monroe as this story could have stood nearly as well without that invocation. However, the more I read the book I could see how it was necessary to use her name. If any other name had been used, it would have led to too much discussion about the similarity to Marilyn Monroe.
In the end, I felt like this book treated the story of Marilyn Monroe the same as the media and history has treated her for the last 70 years. Her identity as a person has been overshadowed so often by the events around her and by rumors and innuendo. So much speculation about the facts of her life have been bandied about as fact. The character in this book longs for the times where she can indulge in things like books. She struggles against the tide of others to use her mind and provide insight. She is often dismissed as the "dumb blond starlet" and this is a disservice to her as a person.
This is definitely a book about identity. Much of the book is about the Marilyn character struggling with what her identity is. Specifically, she does her best to actually become the characters in her movies. In addition, she finds it necessary to present herself as whatever the people she is around expect. This may work as an example of "the gaze" for those that are interested in those very literary criticism approaches.
When I first started reading this book, I wondered why it was necessary to invoke the name(s) of Marilyn Monroe as this story could have stood nearly as well without that invocation. However, the more I read the book I could see how it was necessary to use her name. If any other name had been used, it would have led to too much discussion about the similarity to Marilyn Monroe.
In the end, I felt like this book treated the story of Marilyn Monroe the same as the media and history has treated her for the last 70 years. Her identity as a person has been overshadowed so often by the events around her and by rumors and innuendo. So much speculation about the facts of her life have been bandied about as fact. The character in this book longs for the times where she can indulge in things like books. She struggles against the tide of others to use her mind and provide insight. She is often dismissed as the "dumb blond starlet" and this is a disservice to her as a person.