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The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe cover art

The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe

Written by: J. Randy Taraborrelli
Narrated by: Robert Petkoff
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Publisher's Summary

From New York Times best-selling author J. Randy Taraborrelli comes the definitive biography of the most enduring icon in popular American culture.

When Marilyn Monroe became famous in the 1950s, the world was told that her mother was either dead or simply not a part of her life. However, that was not true. In fact, her mentally ill mother was very much present in Marilyn's world, and the complex family dynamic that unfolded behind the scenes is a story that has never before been told...until now.

In this groundbreaking book, Taraborrelli draws complex and sympathetic portraits of the women so influential in the actress' life, including her mother, her foster mother, and her legal guardian. He also reveals, for the first time, the shocking scope of Marilyn's own mental illness, the identity of Marilyn's father and the half-brother she never knew, and new information about her relationship with the Kennedy's - Bobby, Jack, and Pat Kennedy Lawford.

Explosive, revelatory, and surprisingly moving, this is the final word on the life of one of the most fascinating and elusive icons of the 20th century.

©2009 J. Randy Taraborrelli (P)2009 Hachette

What the critics say

"As Taraborrelli brushes away cobwebs of myth and rumor, his remarkable research and fluid writing captures Marilyn's élan, sensitivity, desperation and despair with a haunting intimacy." ( Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe

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Great narrator, sad story

I listened to the previews of a few other Marilyn Monroe books before selecting this one, and this narrator was by far my favourite. They do a great job of character voices that really help you submerse yourself in Marilyn’s life. Almost too well, I need a pick me up after such a tragic tale. Highly recommend if you are looking to learn more about the star.

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