Marilyn: The Lost Photographs, the Last Interview

by Richard Meryman

Genres: Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

Published May 12, 2026

Reviews

[Abby Grone]

“You’re gay, you’re sick, you’re nervous or whatever.” - Marilyn Monroe

This was great but it was marketed as the complete transcript of her last interview. I didn’t think it’d be her words sectioned off by topic. Idk I think it would’ve been better if it was written exactly how it was recorded. They were talking in promo interviews about funny moments from the recordings that are no where to be found in the book. Now I’m ranting sorry. Still great though! Still a privilege to hear her #real #words 64 years later.

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

All of the "lost photographs" are included, but there are just snippets of the interview, rather than a transcript, which I would imagine would have been included considering the title. Reading Richard Merryman and Alan Grant's comments about her was hard because it felt like they bought into the Hollywood stereotype of her (which she almost certainly helped perpetuate). Ultimately, I enjoyed reading what was included, having never read anything more than a few paragraphs about her in the past, but I find it very hard to believe that her words were entirely sincere as she seemed to be compelled to play a part all the time. Such a tragic and short life affected by so many people treating her as an object for their own benefit. I hope she did feel the love and closeness to her stepchildren that she claimed in this interview.

[GothicGiggleCiCi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was so wonderful to read Marilyn’s life and experiences in her own full words. That alone makes this book worth it to me. The introductions with founders of the fan clubs and all that wasn’t needed and I felt cheapened the book a bit. I wish it had just been a full transcript of what she said uninterrupted and completely natural in the flow of conversation. I also honestly didn’t really care for the art at the end either.

Obviously, this was likely less of a miraculous coincidence to release this close to her 100th birthday but I do wish the book in its entirety was strictly Marilyn’s voice. We’ve heard from reporters, photographers and the like. As a fan, I just wanted to read her perspective only.

Overall, this is a beautiful and timeless book to own.

[Bonnie Ludlum · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Marilyn" is a collection of lost photos and an interview which would be her last. The interview, edited, and given final approval by Marilyn, was published in "LIFE" magazine on 3 August, 1962. She was found dead two days later.
The photos were not actually lost. They have been safeguarded first by Allan Grant and then by his widow. The recordings were also protected and through Richard Meryman’s family were found carefully preserved. With permission from the two families, Marilyn has been freed in the pages of this work. "The Grant and Meryman families never sought to profit from her death or exploit her legend but instead chose to honor her life, resilience, and optimism. Marilyn was not simply a subject to them; she became a lasting presence—woven into their memories and their family histories. They quietly carried Marilyn with them for generations."
Through these pages the reader can see that there was more to Mailyn than just a bombshell actress. She was at a point in her career where things were changing. She wasn’t paid anywhere near what her contemporaries were, the studio producing her current film had let her go but she wasn’t going quietly. She had more to give; she and her attorney were fighting for it. She was someone who loved who she was and wanted to give her all on her terms. Per Sam Shaw, author of Dear Marilyn: The Unseen Letters and Photographs, “Marilyn told me the best and most honest interview she ever had was the one she did for Richard Meryman, He wrote Marilyn’s story just as she told it, just how she wanted her story told. With Meryman, she was a mature woman reflecting on herself, righting the wrongs of exploitative journalism, taking Marilyn Monroe as the serious self.”
This collection has inspired me to learn more about Marilyn and her death with all the conspiracy theories surrounding her. This is a well-crafted book combining a candid interview along with beautiful photos. Two of the quotes that stood out to me are as follows. “You can read about yourself and somebody else’s ideas about you, but what’s important is how you feel about you.” “If you’re gonna do something, do it, or else why hedge around? No one would ever have heard of me if I just sort of hedged around.” Simple words but good advice.

[Wintertime · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high expectations for this book, due to the hype about it, but unfortunately, it left me unsatisfied. I didn't feel like I learned anything new or deeper about her. If you have read the scattered excerpts or listened to the audios clips from this interview you get the biggest idea of what she is saying, which is mainly about the ''fickle'' of the fame and the inhuman way movie industry behaved to artists. The only new and interesting part was what she says about her stepchildren. But I no way believe this was her most honest interview as they are advertising it. It was rather a contrived interview aiming criticism at movie industry, after being fired. This book consists mostly of images (beautiful but repetitive) rather than text. Besides, there were quotes that seem to be put on pages out of nowhere (they were not included in the text at all). It's great for anyone that wants a sort of memorial of her but I still find it costly for what it offers - 36 euros could be justified only if it was accompanied by the audio clips as well. I find "Fragments" far more interesting and deep than this. Even her interviews in''Marilyn Monroe: The Last Interview: and Other Conversations'' have more insight.
(2,5/5)

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful and fascinating book. On the 3rd of August 1962 life magazine published just eight photographs and an article that became known as Marilyn Monroe’s last interview. However, there were over 400 photographs and four hours of interview that largely remained unheard of or unseen. This book includes all of the photographs taken in her new Brentwood home and large sections of the interview but not a full transcript.

The interview was interesting, a candid look at times in her life from her childhood through to her present day; much of which I’d heard versions of before but good to see it in her own words. The photographs are stunning, obviously many of them are very similar, but I still appreciated seeing them in all their glory.

This is a book to keep and treasure. It has an important significance in the history of cinematography and it’s heartbreaking to realise that in the same year this took place Marilyn was dead.

[Rich ✧ ✭ ✧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marilyn would have celebrated her 100th birthday in 2026, so naturally her life has been celebrated via several novels, books and documentaries.

This stunning coffee-table book details her final interview and photograph set, taken just days before her untimely death in August 1962.

The photographs highlight her incredible beauty throughout. Some are printed over a full page and look glorious, while others share the page with a montage of similarities.

The interview has been rearranged into categories - Fame, Love, Childhood, Acting, Money and much more. While some might’ve preferred the full transcripts, knowing how Marilyn could sometimes ramble or easily go off topic, I felt the chosen method for this book was brilliant. I really enjoyed how some of the more affirming or memorable quotes were also highlighted on their own page overleaf.

It was so lovely to hear of her experiences through her own voice, across so many aspects of her life. As a fan, I know some of these are to be taken with a pinch of salt (lateness to set!!), but most were fascinating.

A must own for Marilyn’s fans. It’ll make a wonderful addition to your homes, coffee-tables and bookshelves.

[MKF]

The author left out the interview that this book is based on which would have been interesting to read. Instead the author takes her answers and combines them under different sections. It is like you're reading Marilyn's own story through her own words though it is a bit difficult to separate fact from fiction. Being her last interview I did wonder if she knew it would be her last which is why she agreed to it.

[Chet Slonina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The photos and the interview, in Marilyn’s own words are priceless. The blend of both make it a perfect way to see Marilyn at ease in a photo session as well as able to digest the interview that is being held. The depth of her answers somewhat simple yet deep. The photos are simple yet show an array of one who came from rugged yet complicated origins becoming a permanent piece of history never fully understood and never fully realized.

[Natasha Boettger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection.

[Delia Shugrue · Rating 5 out of 5]

so beautiful and lovely to read more of her words in this interview what a smart woman and these photographs god they are just so beautiful

[Leigh Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read and amazing photographs from last interview ever given. She looks so happy and absolutely beautiful.