60 pages • 2 hours read
Blonde: A Novel
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
1110
Novel • Fiction
USA • 20th century
2000
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates is a fictionalized account of Marilyn Monroe's life, focusing on her turbulent journey as Norma Jeane Baker from her childhood in 1932 to her death in 1962. The book explores her relationships, struggles with substance use, and her rise to fame amidst personal and professional challenges, with intricate depictions of her multiple personas like the Blonde Actress and the Showgirl. This novel includes sensitive topics such as sexual assault, substance use, mental health issues, and abortion.
Melancholic
Mysterious
Dark
Emotional
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Joyce Carol Oates' Blonde garners praise for its ambitious and evocative reimagining of Marilyn Monroe's life, blending fact and fiction with a lyrical, powerful narrative style. However, some critics find its length and harrowing content overwhelming, potentially alienating readers. The novel's deep psychological insight is both its strength and its challenge.
Who Should Read Blonde?
Readers who would enjoy Joyce Carol Oates' Blonde are likely fans of deeply psychological, character-driven narratives. They appreciate historical fiction with introspective prose and complex portrayals of iconic figures, similar to fans of Jeffrey Eugenides’ Middlesex and Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch.
1110
Novel • Fiction
USA • 20th century
2000
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.