Non-Fiction Book Review - 'Marilyn and Her Books: The Literary Life of Marilyn Monroe' by Gail Crowther

The moment I heard about this book, I knew I had to have it.

'Marilyn and Her Books' - the title says it all.

From the blurb: 'Timed to the 100th birthday of Marilyn Monroe comes an investigation into the literary life of the Hollywood icon and actress,' [...] 'In 2026, for her centenary, this book showcases Marilyn Monroe, the reader. Because at the end of her life, it was not her jewels or her furs, her shoes, or dresses that she cared about. It was her books.'

'Marilyn and Her Books: The Literary Life of Marilyn Monroe' by Gail Crowther is a very interesting, intriguing, fascinating, psychoanalytical, and comprehensive look into Marilyn's home library, and her love of literature and learning in general.

It is not about Marilyn the Hollywood actress. It is about Marilyn the reader.

Marilyn was nowhere near a dumb blonde stereotype in real life, nor was she a poser, an attention seeker, or a "fake geek girl". She was a bookworm, an intellectual, who would read anything she could get her hands on, through and through. Trying to overcome her lack of education from a hectic, troubled and traumatic childhood, she always strived to improve her mind, as well as her acting talents - her looks were secondary to her. She valued brains over beauty. She clearly had a very sensitive heart and soul, as well.

It is another reason to admire the Hollywood icon and goddess. Who was in fact painfully, tragically human.

It is a side of her that was not allowed or accepted by the popular culture masses. Until now. Hopefully.

'Marilyn and Her Books' also discusses all the writers Marilyn met in her life (it certainly wasn't just Arthur Miller), and the writers who may or may not have met her, but were enchanted and inspired by her all the same - all of whom are too many to count and list.

Then there are the other golden age Hollywood actors and royalty, who were also, in fact, well read bookworms who valued intelligence, such as Montgomery Clift, James Dean, Marlon Brando, and Elizabeth Taylor.

'Marilyn and Her Books' is full of surprises and touches; not least of which are these quotes by Ayn Rand (Marilyn had none of her books in her personal library), in the aftermath of Marilyn's death:


'[...] if there was ever a victim of society, Marilyn Monroe was that victim.' - page 59


Gail Crowther additionally writes of Rand: 'Describing Monroe's upbringing as Jane Eyre-ish, being both "sordid and horrifying," Rand praises Marilyn for having gone through this and still be able to present a radiant benevolence, innocence, and joy. This took, Rand claimed, "a heroism of the highest order." Making her way to the top, once she got there Marilyn discovered that not only was it as horrible as where she had come from, but that it was filled with jealousy and people who delighted in others' misfortune. Rand argued that Marilyn was envied for her goodness, her beauty, her earnestness, and her joy. Like a classic gothic heroine, she did not stand a chance surrounded by such corruption. It was the evils of the current cultural moment. Rand ended her article with a brutal accusation: "Anyone who has ever felt resentment against the good for being the good, and given voice to it, is the murderer of Marilyn Monroe."' - pages 59-60


This is the only positive reference I will ever make regarding Ayn Rand.

I'm so happy 'Marilyn and Her Books' exists - I say this as both a book lover and a fan of Marilyn Monroe.

Beautiful, informative and educational, and a deep, personal, psychological, philosophical, mystical, and ethereal journey - Marilyn would have been relieved and proud of books like 'Marilyn and Her Books: The Literary Life of Marilyn Monroe'.

I would love to visit Marilyn's library someday. Though for me, I'd like to visit every library in the world, and every single person's bookshelf...I am a weirdo bookworm.

Now for my reviews of the other Marilyn books in my personal library:


'The Little Book of Marilyn: Inspiration from the Goddess of Glam'

'Marilyn Monroe: Private and Undisclosed'

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

'Marilyn Monroe: By Eve Arnold

'My Story'

'My Sister Marilyn: A Memoir of Marilyn Monroe'

'Making Their Voices Heard: The Inspiring Friendship of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe'


Final Score (for 'Marilyn and Her Books') : 4/5