My Story (by Marilyn Monroe)
Growing up, I was intrigued by the life of Marilyn Monroe, particularly her untimely death and the tragic circumstances surrounding it. Macabre facts about people and places have always fascinated me, so it’s no surprise that these details have stuck with me over the years. I’m naturally curious about the reasons behind such tragic events. When I stumbled upon her short book, My Story, on Audible, I was eager to dive deeper into her life.
My Story is the only autobiography attributed to Marilyn Monroe, born Norma Jeane Mortenson. Written in 1954 at the height of her fame, the book was left unfinished and not published until 1974, over a decade after her death in 1962. Later editions were released in 1986 and 2006.
The book was ghostwritten with the assistance of screenwriter Ben Hecht, based on Monroe’s taped conversations and interviews. It poignantly recounts her challenging childhood as an unwanted orphan who was shuffled through foster homes. It also covers her early adolescence, her rise from a bit player and model to a Hollywood superstar, and her marriage to baseball legend Joe DiMaggio. Through her words, the book offers an intimate and vulnerable glimpse into her inner world, revealing her intelligence, insecurities, non-consensual early sexual experiences, struggles with the studio system, and prescient fears about her own fate.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading My Story and gained a wealth of new insights into Marilyn’s life. I was surprised to learn that she was an orphan until she married at the age of 16. It was fascinating to read her life story from her own perspective, as if I were reading her diary. It’s also wonderful to have her insights into relationships and her career, as these are often subject to assumptions. She shared some interesting stories about other celebrities she encountered. However, the book abruptly ends during her honeymoon with Joe DiMaggio, leaving me feeling somewhat unsatisfied.
This brief introduction to Marilyn Monroe was quite informative, but I’m glad I also have Donald Spoto’s biography of her in my Audible library. I’ve added it to my reading list so that I can gain a more comprehensive understanding of her entire life.
I purchased the audiobook of My Story using my Audible membership. January Lavoy’s narration is excellent.
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