Published in 2000, Blonde is not a traditional biography. Oates explicitly warns readers that the book is a work of fiction. She uses the skeleton of Marilyn Monroe's real-life timeline to paint a psychological and spiritual portrait of a woman fractured by her own fame.
Oates masterfully splits the protagonist into distinct entities: Review: Blonde - Boston Review Joyce Carol Oates Blond rar
that reimagines the tragic, inner life of Norma Jeane Baker, the woman the world knew as Marilyn Monroe. Nominated for both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, the 700+ page epic explores themes of celebrity exploitation, female identity, and the dark underbelly of the American Dream. Published in 2000, Blonde is not a traditional biography