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Marlene: A Novel

by C. W. Gortner

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13718198,199 (3.76)2
A lush, dramatic biographical novel of one of the most glamorous and alluring legends of Hollywood's golden age, Marlene Dietrich--from the gender-bending cabarets of Weimar Berlin to the lush film studios of Hollywood, a sweeping story of passion, glamour, ambition, art, and war from the author of Mademoiselle Chanel. Raised in genteel poverty after the First World War, Maria Magdalena Dietrich dreams of a life on the stage. When a budding career as a violinist is cut short, the willful teenager vows to become a singer, trading her family's proper, middle-class society for the free-spirited, louche world of Weimar Berlin's cabarets and drag balls. With her sultry beauty, smoky voice, seductive silk cocktail dresses, and androgynous tailored suits, Marlene performs to packed houses and becomes entangled in a series of stormy love affairs that push the boundaries of social convention. For the beautiful, desirous Marlene, neither fame nor marriage and motherhood can cure her wanderlust. As Hitler and the Nazis rise to power, she sets sail for America. Rivaling the success of another European import, Greta Garbo, Marlene quickly becomes one of Hollywood's leading ladies, starring with legends such as Gary Cooper, John Wayne, and Cary Grant. Desperate for her return, Hitler tries to lure her with dazzling promises. Marlene instead chooses to become an American citizen, and after her new nation is forced into World War II, she tours with the USO, performing for thousands of Allied troops in Europe and Africa. But one day she returns to Germany. Escorted by General George Patton himself, Marlene is heartbroken by the war's devastation and the evil legacy of the Third Reich that has transformed her homeland and the family she loved. An enthralling and insightful account of this extraordinary legend, Marlene reveals the inner life of a woman of grit, glamour, and ambition who defied convention, seduced the world, and forged her own path on her own terms.… (more)
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English (17)  German (1)  All languages (18)
Showing 1-5 of 17 (next | show all)
A truly exceptional story about a fascinating woman ( )
  JessBass87 | Jul 4, 2021 |
This book was well-written and meticulously researched, as all CW Gortner's books that I've read have been. Those are the only two things that kept this from being a one-star review.
While I enjoyed Marlene's story overall, I didn't enjoy this particular book. There was simply too much graphic sex. The entire book seemed to be an excuse for one sex scene after another, with a little bit of story thrown in to keep it from being published by Harlequin with Fabio on the cover. The sex took over the book and distracted from the story, which is an absolute 'No' for me. ( )
  tiasreads | Dec 11, 2019 |
I have only been a fan of Marlene Dietrich for about a year now. So far, I've only read one of the many biographies about her. This novel didn't tell me anything I already didn't know, but I was able, thanks to the wonderful writing, to live her life along with her. She was an extraordinary woman, who lived by her own rules, rebelling against the attitudes of the world and times she lived in. I admire her most for what she did for the Allied soldiers during the Second World War, risking her life, her family's well being (her sister, uncle, and mother still lived in Germany during this time). She was no fan of either the Nazis or Hitler and wasn't until the United States, her adopted country, became directly involved in the war against Germany, Italy, and Japan, that she voiced her opposition to Nazi Germany.
I won't debate her acting ability, because whether or not she was a good actress doesn't matter to me. She made her mark on Hollywood and used her fame during the Second World War to help the Allies.
I would recommend this novel to anyone who is a Marlene Dietrich fan or anyone else who wants to know more about this extraordinary woman. ( )
  ZelmerWilson | Oct 31, 2019 |
FROM PUBLISHER: A lush, dramatic biographical novel of one of the most glamorous and alluring legends of Hollywood's golden age, Marlene Dietrich - from the gender-bending cabarets of Weimar Berlin to the lush film studios of Hollywood, a sweeping story of passion, glamour, ambition, art, and war.
Raised in genteel poverty after the First World War, Maria Magdalena Dietrich dreams of a life on the stage. When a budding career as a violinist is cut short, the willful teenager vows to become a singer, trading her family's proper middle-class society for the free-spirited, louche world of Weimar Berlin's cabarets and drag balls. With her sultry beauty, smoky voice, seductive silk cocktail dresses, and androgynous tailored suits, Marlene performs to packed houses and becomes entangled in a series of stormy love affairs that push the boundaries of social convention.
  Gmomaj | Oct 26, 2019 |
This book appears to be well researched. The Marlene portrayed as a young woman, I did not like. She seemed ambitious and selfish to the extreme. They say sexuality is a scale with the very feminine woman on one end, the macho man at the other, and everyone else at varying points. Marlene seemed to be situated nearer the masculine. She was the breadwinner and supported her husband all through his life. She did amazingly brave things during the second world war. For me, this was when she became a much more likeable person. What I didn't like were the descriptive sex scenes. Tell me about a relationship but I don't want to be in the bedroom watching. I enjoyed this book. ( )
  scot2 | Aug 23, 2017 |
Showing 1-5 of 17 (next | show all)
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A lush, dramatic biographical novel of one of the most glamorous and alluring legends of Hollywood's golden age, Marlene Dietrich--from the gender-bending cabarets of Weimar Berlin to the lush film studios of Hollywood, a sweeping story of passion, glamour, ambition, art, and war from the author of Mademoiselle Chanel. Raised in genteel poverty after the First World War, Maria Magdalena Dietrich dreams of a life on the stage. When a budding career as a violinist is cut short, the willful teenager vows to become a singer, trading her family's proper, middle-class society for the free-spirited, louche world of Weimar Berlin's cabarets and drag balls. With her sultry beauty, smoky voice, seductive silk cocktail dresses, and androgynous tailored suits, Marlene performs to packed houses and becomes entangled in a series of stormy love affairs that push the boundaries of social convention. For the beautiful, desirous Marlene, neither fame nor marriage and motherhood can cure her wanderlust. As Hitler and the Nazis rise to power, she sets sail for America. Rivaling the success of another European import, Greta Garbo, Marlene quickly becomes one of Hollywood's leading ladies, starring with legends such as Gary Cooper, John Wayne, and Cary Grant. Desperate for her return, Hitler tries to lure her with dazzling promises. Marlene instead chooses to become an American citizen, and after her new nation is forced into World War II, she tours with the USO, performing for thousands of Allied troops in Europe and Africa. But one day she returns to Germany. Escorted by General George Patton himself, Marlene is heartbroken by the war's devastation and the evil legacy of the Third Reich that has transformed her homeland and the family she loved. An enthralling and insightful account of this extraordinary legend, Marlene reveals the inner life of a woman of grit, glamour, and ambition who defied convention, seduced the world, and forged her own path on her own terms.

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