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All the Available Light: A Marilyn Monroe Reader
No star in any genre has affected the world as deeply or has lasted as long without fading as Marilyn Monroe. This thought-provoking and wide-ranging collection of essays examines the undiminished incandescence of Marilyn Monroe -- the impact she has had on our culture, the evolution of her legend since her death, and what she tells us now about our lives and times -- and includes previously unpublished work from some of America's best writers, such Joyce Carol Oates, Alice Elliot Dark, Albert Mobilo, Marge Piercy, Lore Segal, Lisa Shea, and many more.
From her troubled family beginnings to the infamous $13 million auction held at Christie's in New York City, All the Available Light paints an unforgettable portrait of Marilyn as you've never seen her before.
This extremely rare cover photo was taken c. 1954, on the set of The Seven Year Itch.
From her troubled family beginnings to the infamous $13 million auction held at Christie's in New York City, All the Available Light paints an unforgettable portrait of Marilyn as you've never seen her before.
This extremely rare cover photo was taken c. 1954, on the set of The Seven Year Itch.
240 pages, Paperback
First published July 30, 2002
About the author
Yona Zeldis McDonough
56 books239 followersI live in Park Slope, Brooklyn and many of my novels take place here. But my new novel takes place in New Hampshire, and I have woven into it a historical component: the tragic story of Ruth Blay, who in 1768 was the last woman hanged in the state. When I read about Ruth, I was fascinated and horrified in equal measure, and I knew I had to write about her.
I was educated at Vassar College and Columbia University, where I studied art history. But I started writing fiction in my 20's and never looked back. I am the author of seven novels, 27 books for children and am the editor of two essay collections. I'm also the fiction editor of Lilith Magazine . Please visit my website, http://www.yonazeldismcdonough.com or find me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/yzmcdonough; I love to connect with readers everywhere.
I was educated at Vassar College and Columbia University, where I studied art history. But I started writing fiction in my 20's and never looked back. I am the author of seven novels, 27 books for children and am the editor of two essay collections. I'm also the fiction editor of Lilith Magazine . Please visit my website, http://www.yonazeldismcdonough.com or find me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/yzmcdonough; I love to connect with readers everywhere.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 14, 2014
This book opened my eyes to the endlessly complex, deceptively intelligent, intriguing and amazing human being that was Marilyn Monroe.. I went from being largely indifferent, for most of my life, even quite dismissive of her iconic persona and image to being captivated and intrigued by the person that was so much more than the iconic movie star and beauty that she has been made into by the image makers and admirers of this world... It was then, I think, that I, somewhat, fell in love with the Marilyn that is behind the imagery that is only a surface reflection of someone who was so much more than we have made her out to be... Like most unique souls.. she had a deceptively hard life and a difficult time being understood and accepted for her true self and was even marketed, boxed and labeled for those aspects of herself that were only the tip of the even more intriguing iceberg that was her whole self, in reality, and yet, ironically, the surface images and representations were, and still are, enough in themselves to keep generations of people captivated by those things alone.. little perceiving the true depths of Marilyn,or Norma Jean, the whole person underlying that iconic image that has become her public legacy.. I think I really would have liked Marilyn.. yep true..
June 24, 2020
A collection of essays rather than a traditional biography, there is a lot of insight into Marilyn Monroe as a person, her work as an actress, and her impact on American culture. The cover photo is one of the loveliest of her I have seen - minimal makeup, a plain bathrobe, a candid, relaxed pose, and her natural beauty radiates.
October 29, 2014
This is a book of essays, some of which were previously published, on the allure and mystique of Marilyn Monroe. As is so often the case, some of the essays are excellent (such as the one by Gloria Steinem, which I'd read almost 30 years ago in her book on Marilyn) and the final one, written by the book's editor.
Some of the others, though - hoo boy. Joyce Carol Oates' bilge taught me a lesson in how to manage to get to the next page without hurling a book out of the window (in my case, the answer to that conundrum is "with difficulty"). Claire Booth Luce's condescending comments from 1964 were similarly anger-inducing.
Other essays were just as quickly forgotten as they were read. The kind of uber-analysis (and contradiction) that seems to go unnecessarily beyond the basic truth of Marilyn's life. She was smarter than she was given credit for. She was a gifted comedienne who could shine when directed thoughtfully, and regularly outshone the actors who thought they were her superiors. She was childlike in a business that will eat your soul if you're not strong enough to fight it, and she wasn't. She wanted, more than anything, to be loved. She wanted a "normal" life, but was unable to find a way to make peace with the fact that life can be pretty much anything you want it to be, except "normal," when you're Marilyn.
Some of the others, though - hoo boy. Joyce Carol Oates' bilge taught me a lesson in how to manage to get to the next page without hurling a book out of the window (in my case, the answer to that conundrum is "with difficulty"). Claire Booth Luce's condescending comments from 1964 were similarly anger-inducing.
Other essays were just as quickly forgotten as they were read. The kind of uber-analysis (and contradiction) that seems to go unnecessarily beyond the basic truth of Marilyn's life. She was smarter than she was given credit for. She was a gifted comedienne who could shine when directed thoughtfully, and regularly outshone the actors who thought they were her superiors. She was childlike in a business that will eat your soul if you're not strong enough to fight it, and she wasn't. She wanted, more than anything, to be loved. She wanted a "normal" life, but was unable to find a way to make peace with the fact that life can be pretty much anything you want it to be, except "normal," when you're Marilyn.
March 5, 2024
this just seemed to be a compilation of very repetitive essays (could 100% be my bad for not looking more into it). was hoping to learn more about her but the truth may be that people didn't actually know anything about her.
May 15, 2022
As a rule, Marylin is allusive. The book made me want to watch her movies, which made me long for reading the book.
June 16, 2023
u need to read this if you love marilyn. just read it u will see
July 5, 2025
Meh. 3 stars may be too high. But some of the essays were good.
June 7, 2013
Probably the most distinctive things written about Marilyn in "All the Available Light: A Marilyn Monroe Reader"—a collection of thoughts about Marilyn, her iconic status, and her effect on the culture—were those that described how she still affects us today, years after her death. How her presence in any room "absorbed all the available light and made it her own."
There seems little doubt in my mind, nor in the minds of the writers here, that Marilyn was a creation. A compilation, if you will, of various traits deemed sexy by Mid-Century American culture. Her created persona included the contrast between the girlishness and the overt sexuality, summing her up into a living breathing Barbie doll--a fantasy of the American male.
More important details came through when writers described her vulnerability, most of which was acknowledged after her death. She was no longer a threat, at that point. And the kinder, gentler compassion could be evoked.
Writers like Joyce Carol Oates, Gloria Steinem, Kate Millet, and Marge Piercy reveal this aspect, of how her vulnerability was not just a turn-on for men or an embarrassment for women, but a tragedy. Who doesn't feel compassion for someone whose life was difficult and cut short?
Now that she is gone, we all want to protect her and give her what escaped her when she was alive: limitless love.
Despite the important aspects of the iconic Marilyn Monroe, as shown us by this collection of impressive writers, I found this book to be mostly dull and repetitive. There were references to photos that seemed to illustrate various points, but none were included. Perhaps the photos would have made this book for me; as it was, I couldn't wait to put it down. Three stars.
There seems little doubt in my mind, nor in the minds of the writers here, that Marilyn was a creation. A compilation, if you will, of various traits deemed sexy by Mid-Century American culture. Her created persona included the contrast between the girlishness and the overt sexuality, summing her up into a living breathing Barbie doll--a fantasy of the American male.
More important details came through when writers described her vulnerability, most of which was acknowledged after her death. She was no longer a threat, at that point. And the kinder, gentler compassion could be evoked.
Writers like Joyce Carol Oates, Gloria Steinem, Kate Millet, and Marge Piercy reveal this aspect, of how her vulnerability was not just a turn-on for men or an embarrassment for women, but a tragedy. Who doesn't feel compassion for someone whose life was difficult and cut short?
Now that she is gone, we all want to protect her and give her what escaped her when she was alive: limitless love.
Despite the important aspects of the iconic Marilyn Monroe, as shown us by this collection of impressive writers, I found this book to be mostly dull and repetitive. There were references to photos that seemed to illustrate various points, but none were included. Perhaps the photos would have made this book for me; as it was, I couldn't wait to put it down. Three stars.
December 6, 2014
3 STARS
"No star in any genre has affected the world as deeply or has lasted as long without fading as Marilyn Monroe. This thought-provoking and wide-ranging collection of essays examines the undiminished incandescence of Marilyn Monroe -- the impact she has had on our culture, the evolution of her legend since her death, and what she tells us now about our lives and times -- and includes previously unpublished work from some of America's best writers, such as: Joyce Carol Oates, Alice Elliot Dark, Albert Mobilo, Marge Piercy, Lore Segal, Lisa Shea, and many more.
From her troubled family beginnings to the infamous $13 million auction held at Christie's in New York City, All the Available Light paints an unforgettable portrait of Marilyn as you've never seen her before.
This extremely rare cover photo was taken c. 1954, on the set of The Seven Year Itch" (From Amazon)
A nice collection of essays about Marilyn Monroe.
"No star in any genre has affected the world as deeply or has lasted as long without fading as Marilyn Monroe. This thought-provoking and wide-ranging collection of essays examines the undiminished incandescence of Marilyn Monroe -- the impact she has had on our culture, the evolution of her legend since her death, and what she tells us now about our lives and times -- and includes previously unpublished work from some of America's best writers, such as: Joyce Carol Oates, Alice Elliot Dark, Albert Mobilo, Marge Piercy, Lore Segal, Lisa Shea, and many more.
From her troubled family beginnings to the infamous $13 million auction held at Christie's in New York City, All the Available Light paints an unforgettable portrait of Marilyn as you've never seen her before.
This extremely rare cover photo was taken c. 1954, on the set of The Seven Year Itch" (From Amazon)
A nice collection of essays about Marilyn Monroe.
October 14, 2014
Keeping this short: I've read so many books on Marilyn that I can't even remember the titles to add them to my goodreads list. This one was the best - deepest history, most detail without much unjustified inference, a fair but empathy-inducing representation. If you only read one history of her life, this is the one I'd recommend.
February 5, 2015
Some essays stood out, more than others. The piece by Gloria Steinem is a stand-out. Steinem is fair and soft-hearted approaching the idea of Monroe in a time when feminism was either denouncing her or playing her as victim. Also, the two towards the end were quite good.
October 10, 2009
A new twist on Marilyn's life.
October 15, 2008
interesting to read people's views on how Marilyn Monroe affected the world, lacked the umph i was searching for, yet it was o.k.
Currently Reading
October 18, 2008some speculation some theory some feminism... all wonder why this tragic persona becomes an american cultural legend... how an untimly(and questionable) death allows one woman to live forever...
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews