Non-Fiction Book Review - 'My Story' by Marilyn Monroe, Ben Hecht (Primary Contributor), Joshua Greene (Foreword)

'My Story' is Marilyn's story, told in her own words, chronologically and linearly but in pieces and snapshots, from her childhood to her rise to fame in the fifties. It is an unfinished story - ending abruptly just after she married Joe DiMaggio and was singing for Korean soldiers on what should have been her honeymoon to Japan.

This adds to the sadness of this brave, spectacular and forever misunderstood woman's entire life.

Fame can be a curse more than a blessing and a miracle.

More so for women. The system is rigged so they can't win, and remain under the controlling thumb of the men in power. Marilyn wanted to change that. She fought for it.

No matter what, she never stopped fighting.

'My Story' is told somewhat sporadically, though it is still readable and highly engaging. It can be sorrowful and shocking, such as when Marilyn talks about her traumatic and/or exploitative experiences. But it also be surprisingly light and funny; it is generally a quick, light read. It is very quotable; Marilyn Monroe was smart and self-aware.

She loved acting, and always sought to improve her talents, onscreen and off. She loved to be loved and worshipped by the public, but for the right reasons. She had been love-starved her whole life, to be sure.

It's intriguing and ironic that one of the most famous and enduring sex icons of all time was in fact not interested in sex, and rarely thought of it, at least earlier on in her life. (Was she asexual? We'll never know for sure.) She never meant to be sexy or alluring onscreen.

One of her best quotes is: 'People had a habit of looking at me as if I were some kind of a mirror instead of a person. They didn't see me, they saw their own lewd thoughts. Then they white-masked themselves by calling me the lewd one." (page 183).

Other poignant quotes relating to the above are:


'It was surprising that a woman's bosom, slightly revealed, could become a matter of national concern. You would think that all the other women kept their bosoms in a vault.' (page 169)

'"Because I want to be an artist," I answered, "not an erotic freak. I don't want to be sold to the public as a celluloid aphrodisical. Look at me and start shaking. It was all right for the first few years. But now it's different."' (page 174)

'I wanted to be myself and not just a freak vibration that made fortunes for the studio sex peddlers.' (page 174)


She was ever so insightful. She knew what was what firsthand (especially at famous people parties, and award ceremonies).

Hollywood has always been toxic, and full of lies, abuse and corruption, thanks to capitalism and the patriarchy.

'My Story' includes more wonderful photos of Marilyn, from the iconic to the obscure. With so many photos taken of her, she can never really die. She is an immortal goddess - for her innate talents and natural charisma, more than anything else.

I kind of wish it included other writings of hers, too, such as her poetry. And additional iconic quotes.

A sad woman, yet with so much to say, and so much to give to the world, that didn't truly respect her, nor appreciate her for what she could do. How she could give and receive so much love, and not the sex kind.

She wasn't some supernatural, otherworldly siren. She was a real human being.

'My Story' - our story as well, now in our hearts. A valuable item for any Marilyn Monroe fan's collection and archive.

For my further thoughts on the starlet, read my reviews of:


'Marilyn Monroe: By Eve Arnold'

'Marilyn Monroe: Private and Undisclosed'

'The Girl: Marilyn Monroe, The Seven Year Itch, and the Birth of an Unlikely Feminist'


Final Score: 3.5/5