Marlene: A Novel of Marlene Dietrich

I must admit I have become a sucker for C.W.Gortner's writing. I loved CHANEL, and I loved MARLENE. With Gortner's novels it is hard to discern where fact ends and fiction begins because his prose is so seamless and his research impeccable. I always remember reading about Marlene Dietrich in Photoplay and Modern Screen when I was very young and an avid movie fan. I remember hearing my parents speak about her (and not necessarily in the most glowing terms,) and I used to see her perform on early TV shows. I must admit I was not impressed. I also remember seeing so many of the Dietrich parodies done by myriad comediennes. But for me this book was a revelation. The blending of history and biography and the description of prewar Germany and the rise of Hitler was so well written you could almost hear the music in the cafes, and view the catastrophic events as they were happening because the descriptions were seen through Marlene's eyes. I never knew how active she was in the USO, entertaining the troops during WWII. Even if you weren't a Marlene fan to begin with, you will be won over with admiration for how true to herself she remained and how loyal she was to her friends and lovers. . HIghly recommended.

Maria Magdalena Dietrich was born into a life of genteel poverty, her mother’s proud family connections brought low by her father’s early death and a subsequent – and ever-present – lack of funds. Destined for life as a concert violinist, as a teenager she chafes against the moral restrictions imposed by her formidable mother. For while Maria Magdalena loves the violin, she yearns for something more, a chance to explore the burgeoning opportunities both personal and professional promised by the siren song emanating from the decadence of post-war Berlin, where the moral fiber that once defined the nation crumbles with the fall of the Kaiser and the dawn of the fledgling Weimar Republic. It is within the decadence and hedonism of the cabarets and clubs of 1920s Berlin that Maria – now known as Marlene – finds the beginnings of her voice and image as she strives to become an actress. A chance encounter with a mid-level studio executive lands her a coveted screen test, eventually leading to her breakthrough role as Lola-Lola, the seductive cabaret girl who leads men astray in The Blue Angel. Her partnership with director Joseph von Sternberg makes her a star, and as the Dietrich legend rises, the lines between reality and glossy celluloid fantasy begin to blur. As her once-beloved homeland descends into the madness of National Socialism and her personal and professional relationships become fraught with tension, Marlene is faced with a choice. Will she crumble under the weight…

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"I am at heart, a gentleman." Summary: A gripping story of a dynamo woman forging her own path way ahead of her time. She is a wild and strong original, and hailed as the ninth-greatest female star of classic Hollywood cinema. Historical biography based on all true people and events; I absolutely loved this book and wish I could have been friends with Marlene Dietrich! 8.5/10 The good: I chose this book because I had read another book by this author (Mademoiselle Chanel) and loved it. I knew nothing about Marlene Dietrich going into it other than she had great legs. I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down and learned that this woman was so much more than a Hollywood star. It is well written with lots of character development throughout. I found myself researching and looking up lots of people and events to see how much of this book was true, and every character and event are all based on fact. Marlene is a strong woman, quite a character (loved that she wore her tuxedo and suits regularly), and a woman way ahead of her time. She is much more than a Hollywood star and my favorite part of the book was the ending when you learn all about what she did during WWII; volunteering at canteens, going on a war tour performing for troops, donating her salary to war efforts, helping refugees and more. She received the Medal of Freedom in November 1947, for her "extraordinary record entertaining troops overseas during the war." She also received the French Legion…

A fascinating tale of determination and tenaciousness, the untold story behind Dietrich ' s rise to stardom. It was especially interesting to learn how the fulfillment she never found in her personal or professional life was reached at last in her service to the WWII war effort. At times I tired of hearing about her myriad of sexual exploits, but her gallantry and bravery entertaining the GIs made up for it. She had her own moral compass which she followed unfalteringly and it led her to the right choices in the issues that mattered most in those turbulent times. A true American heroine.