Review - Icon, The Life,Times and Films of Marilyn Monroe by Gary Vittaco-Robles

Well what can I say about this book except - AMAZING. I have been collecting books on Marilyn Monroe for 24 years now, and I thought that there was nothing left to learn about her, or nothing important anyway. How wrong could I be!!
Almost every chapter brought some new revelation, some new insight into Marilyn and who she was.
Some of the pages on her early life were especially painful to read and I have to admit on more than one occasion I found myself in tears, it is very hard to read about how much some one you love has suffered.
This volume chronicles her life up to and through part of 1956, it is a massive 780 pages long, and yet volume 2 is even longer.
The author covers Marilyn's life in a sympathetic but objective way, and the depth of the author's knowledge and research is clear on every page and the narrative will grip you from page 1 to the end leave you wanting more - so it's a good job that volume 2 will be out soon (news on that as it breaks)
The author gives a brief over view of all of her films for the new fans without it being overdone and dull for those of us who have seen all the films and know a bit about the production.

One thing, there are no photos of Marilyn inside the book!! - But to be honest, with this book they are not needed, we know how beautiful she was- but this is her story and we don't need the pictures to understand her - in this book the words are enough.

Icon is widely available, To order your copy please follow one of the links below:

AMAZON UK
AMAZON.COM
BEARMANOR MEDIA
BOOK DEPOSITORY

4.5 out of 5 - If you don't buy this book, you cannot be a serious student of Monroe - MUST HAVE.

New items added!!

While you are so patiently waiting for the review of Icon - which I swear I am working on and hope to have uploaded in the next few days, I thought I would share some new items I have recently added to my collection

Below is a german scrapbook (the HSM cover), a fold out poster, the Juliens catalogue of Travilla items and The Story of the Misfits by James Goode - this is only the 2nd time I have seen this book in 24 years of collecting last time it was over £70 this time £15.99 - well I couldn't say no could I?

A DVD of trailers and news reels with a CD of songs as well was only £1 and finally the Life magazine The Loves of Marilyn has finally made it to UK shores at £8.99 - we never did get the Newsweek.

Well that's all the new additions at the moment - stay tuned for the Icon review - going to work on it right now!!!

Mad About Marilyn

I am so sorry it has been a while since the last post this is partly due to the fact I have been in a musical at my local theatre, and therefore out every night, but also Icon is taking me longer to get through than I anticipated, however I hope to complete that shortly in the meantime here is a review of the Mad About Marilyn Fan Club.

The club was formed in 2008, after the closure of the Marilyn Lives Society. I joined immediately and am happy to say that I have every issue so far.

The Newsletter does not have a specific publication date, however a £20 fee (for UK members £25 rest of the world) will get you 6 copes of the newsletter and a Marilyn card and gift on your birthday.

It is well worth joining Issue 29 which was recently sent out contained:

Recent News Items

A vintage news Article from 1954

Auction news

Information on a new Marilyn play that will open on April 10th in Boulder, Colorado

Book News

An article on Earl Wilson and his relationship to Marilyn and the photos he took of her

Part 3 of an article on Natasha Lytess

And lots of photos too 

And the best part as the photo below shows - in colour!!!! 

But that's not all...

There is also the Mad About Marilyn Mail Order Catalogue, usually sent out 4 times a year it contains many collectibles, books, posters and other items, so if you don't fancy getting into a bidding war the item you really want maybe in here.

Again the catalogue is in colour and all prices and postage is listed. I have bought items from it in the past and it is definitely worth while.

So you ask yourself, how do I get all this fabulous information??

Well all you need to do is Email Emma, who runs Mad About Marilyn club and mail order and she will give you the details

emmadowning@blueyonder.co.uk

I wholeheartedly recommend it