Marilyn, My Marilyn

by Art Johnson

Marilyn, My Marilyn, part historical fiction and part fantasy, is an attempt to synthesize all that we know and much that we imagine about Marilyn Monroe.  The protagonist, Rory Long, is a young and naïve reporter who Marilyn requests as an interviewer because of a previous article he has written. Thus Long’s youth and naivety is used to develop a fresh picture of the “whole” Marilyn in this, Johnson’s third mystery novel.

Most people picture Marilyn as one of the most popular sex symbols of the 1950s. Rory is at first enthralled the Marilyn we know “what is it about a beautiful woman that causes a man to melt before their very eyes?” but quickly falls in love with the Marilyn he comes to discover is an intellectual “Marilyn returned to her poetry… She seemed to be perfectly at peace.”  Through Rory’s eyes we develop a picture of a well-rounded and talented businesswoman who is unfortunately held in check by the needs of the movie industry of that day.

In my opinion, Johnson tries to bring too many aspects together in his effort to understand the real Marilyn and what happened.  First we have a beautiful addict who is extremely intelligent, but lonely and looking for someone who understands her.  Then we have a fictional reporter who steps in and immediately understands where many have not.  The FBI and a mysterious organization setup to protect the president become involved.  All parties have peripheral interests in a gruesome murder, which may or may not be pivotal to what happens to Marilyn.  Even Marilyn’s closest companion is a suspect and subsequently other conspiracy theories are introduced.  I realize all of these theories have come to the forefront at various times in history, but I am not certain they all need to be included in one book.  It becomes too much like a documentary.

Having said this, I recommend this book because it is well written as one expects from Art Johnson.  Most importantly, however, by reading it one can see a multi-dimensional and beautiful Marilyn Munroe with the clarity she deserves.

I want to thank NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book.