Sandra Shevey

The Marilyn Scandal (available direct from the author at sandrasheveybooks.wordpress.com as an eBook) is a comprehensive and at times controversial biography of perhaps the most (in?)famous actress Hollywood has known and, notably, is the first biography of Monroe written by a woman.

While many Marilyn Monroe biographies cite the numerous articles and interviews that exist, Sandra Shevey quotes straight from the horse’s mouth: Shevey interviewed many people associated with Monroe first-hand. From Marilyn’s close friends such as Peter Lawford and others to filmmakers such as Colin Clarke and her psychologist Dr. Ralph Greenson. She also spent significant time speaking to Hollywood entertainment reporter and friend of Monroe, James Bacon.

The book itself seeks to dispel the many myths that abound about Marilyn Monroe and the misplaced assumptions about her acting talents (or perceived lack thereof beyond her looks and sex appeal).

Shevey uses her huge archive of first-hand interviews to paint a picture of a woman troubled by sickness, of devastating pregnancies and terminations,

a woman forced into psychiatric care against her will and without foundation and, most importantly, a woman who was never properly recognised for her outstanding acting talent.

While details of Monroe’s many affairs, marriages and love interests are included here (including some lesser-known and very well-informed speculations), this is only part of the story. The Marilyn Scandal has so much more to offer even the most informed Marilyn aficionado. The book certainly doesn’t hold the hands of the uninitiated but this should not dissuade those new to the Marilyn story and only underlines how much deeper this book goes to uncover the truth about Marilyn Monroe compared with the countless other biographies.

Shevey’s portrait of Monroe is a different shade to that of popular belief. As with Shevey’s other seminal work “The Other Side of Lennon”, her claims can at times be controversial but never without basis. If you are familiar with the Marilyn Monroe story, expect your views to be challenged. As a newcomer to Marilyn Monroe, settle in for a fascinating account of one of Hollywood’s greatest scandals.… (más)

The Other Side of Lennon (recently reissued on the author’s sandrasheveybooks.wordpress.com website) is inspired by Sandra Shevey’s marathon 12-hour 1972 interview with the former Beatle in his Bank Street apartment in New York, much of which is quoted in the book.

Shevey was one of 3 journalists (the only woman) afforded an interview with Lennon at the time, the others being Barry Golson of Playboy and Jann Wenner of Rolling Stone.

The book is far from a fan’s testament to their favourite Beatle: The Other Side of Lennon is a forensic investigation into a darker side of Lennon overlooked by a widely adoring public – a side that was arguably hidden even further following his assassination.

Shevey’s background in journalism sees her leave no stone unturned in the search for a more balanced, less Beatle-centric picture of the person John Lennon really was. The approach is certainly not without controversy when put up against the “populist” view of Lennon but the resulting picture Shevey paints, however unexpected it may be, is difficult to argue with given the source material.

Lennon’s relationships come into sharp focus. At the time Shevey and Lennon spoke, he was married to Yoko Ono who had a profound affect on his life and music. Brian Epstein also features prominently and Lennon’s love/hate relationship with his manager is explored here, too. John’s time with the Fab Four certainly doesn’t escape mention either but The Other Side of Lennon shows there’s more to Lennon than a man who simply wants to “hold you hand”.

Although every day of Lennon’s life must have been documented in some way, shape or form, and no end of literature, articles and documentaries must exist on him, this book spills over with revelations and anecdotes, not only from those who knew Lennon but the man himself. While it challenges the accepted image of the peace-loving, witty frontman of the greatest pop band of all time, this only serves to make this an all the more essential tome for even the most casual of Beatles or Lennon fans and a hugely fascinating portrait of a megastar that many no doubt feel they know so well, when in fact they have much more to learn.… (más)

This was my first actual reading of a Marilyn Biography. Most of what i have known about her was from movies about her, I was impressed with the information I received but took it with a grain of salt as you must with stories such as hers. The book is filled with "first person" accounts but seems a bit jumpy in it's history with multiple stories retold in different chapters. My main high point for the book was the fact that the Author shares my view point on her death which is that she did not commit suicide. I only wish she would of explored this a bit more in her book : ) overall defiantly recommend… (más)