Review: The day Marilyn died by Terenci Moix

Review of the book “The Day Marilyn Died” by Terenci Moix.

“The Day Marilyn Died” is a novel by the Spanish writer Terenci Moix, published in 1993. The work is a tribute to the iconic figure of Marilyn Monroe and the world of cinema, and presents the story of a young writer who travels to Hollywood to discover the secrets surrounding the death of the actress.

What is so special about The Day Marilyn Died, by Terenci Moix? This novel, published in 1969, is one of the most emblematic works of the Catalan writer, which masterfully portrays the life of two generations of a Barcelona family from the 1930s to the 1960s. Through the memories of the protagonists, Bruno and Jordi, a panorama of the history and culture of Spain is drawn in a turbulent and fascinating period.

The Day Marilyn Died is a polyphonic novel, which alternates the voices of the different characters and their points of view on the events that have marked them. Thus, we learn about the experience of the civil war and the post-war period through Bruno’s parents, Xim and Amèlia, who go from being a working-class couple to being part of the new bourgeoisie thanks to the success of their textile business. We also witness the sexual and sentimental awakening of Bruno and Jordi, two young people who fall in love in the midst of Franco’s regime and who find a refuge and a form of expression in cinema, comics and music.

The Day Marilyn Died is also a novel tribute to the figure of Marilyn Monroe, the actress who symbolizes glamor and the American dream, but also fragility and helplessness. Marilyn’s death in 1962 is the starting point and the ending point of the novel, which is structured in five books that correspond to the life stages of the characters.

The Day Marilyn Died is a novel that deserves to be read and reread for its narrative richness, its agile and involving style, its humor and its sensitivity. It is a novel that tells us about love, family, identity, memory and art. It is a novel that shows us how literature can transform reality and make us dream.

The novel takes place in 1982, and introduces us to a young Spanish writer named Juan who travels to Hollywood to write a book about the death of Marilyn Monroe. During his stay in the city, Juan interacts with different characters who help him discover the secrets surrounding the actress’ death, and who allow him to discover the darkest and most decadent side of the world of cinema.

Through the characters that appear in the novel, Moix shows us the hidden side of the world of cinema, and shows us how fame and success can have dire consequences for those who seek them. The novel is a criticism of the world of entertainment and the society that surrounds it, and shows us how the search for perfection and fame can lead to self-destruction.

One of the most notable aspects of the novel is its literary style. Moix uses poetic and evocative language to describe the environments and characters, and manages to create a fascinating atmosphere that transports us to Hollywood in the 80s. In addition, the author uses a literary technique that consists of alternating the chapters narrated by the protagonist with others that show us fragments of Marilyn’s life, which adds a nostalgic and melancholic tone to the work.

The novel also stands out for the depth of its characters, who are built with detail and complexity. Through them, the author shows us the different faces of the world of cinema and offers us a critical and reflective vision of the society that surrounds it. Furthermore, the novel is full of references and winks to the world of cinema, which makes it a very interesting work for those who love the seventh art.

Another highlight of “The Day Marilyn Died” is its treatment of universal themes such as fame, death and love. The author shows us how the search for fame and success can have dire consequences, and how Marilyn’s death remains a mystery that continues to fascinate society today.

In short, “The Day Marilyn Died” is a novel that pays tribute to the iconic figure of Marilyn Monroe and the world of cinema. Terenci Moix manages to create a fascinating and evocative literary work, which transports us to Hollywood in the 80s and shows us the hidden side of the world of entertainment. The novel stands out for its literary style, the depth of its characters and its treatment of universal themes, making it a unique and memorable literary work.