In 2001, the novel was adapted into a CBS mini-series of the same name, which followed the novel closely. James Dougherty, Monroe's first husband, is referred to only by the pseudonym Bucky Glazer. In Blonde, Monroe's second and third husbands Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller are referred to as the Ex-Athlete and the Playwright, respectively. The novel explores only a relationship with the President. Kennedy, was involved in Monroe's death, following her alleged affairs with each of the brothers). Kennedy, United States Attorney General and brother of President John F. Those sections will be published separately.' Names Īlthough many notable names are changed, Oates sometimes uses recognizable initials, such as 'C'-a male co-star from Some Like It Hot (presumably Tony Curtis)-and more controversially, 'R.F', the commander of the Sharpshooter sent to eliminate Monroe ( many conspiracy theories have suggested that Robert F. Some sections were shortened while others had to be surgically removed from the book. The first draft was, originally, longer than the version that was finally published. In an interview she said, 'I intended it to be a novella, somewhere around 175 pages, and the last words would have been 'Marilyn Monroe.' But over time, I got so caught up in her world that I couldn't stop there. Length and editing Īt over 700 pages, Blonde is one of Oates' longest works of fiction. Oates regards Blonde as one of the two books (along with 1969's them) she will be remembered for.

Rocky Mountain News and Entertainment Weekly have listed Blonde as one of Joyce Carol Oates's best books. It was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize (2001) and the National Book Award (2000). Oates insists that the novel is a work of fiction that should not be regarded as a biography. Blonde is a bestselling 2000 biographical fiction novel by Joyce Carol Oates that presents an extremely fictionalized take on the life of American actress Marilyn Monroe.

Marilyn monroe book my story