BLONDE DUST

Narrator Caroline Hewitt deftly presents this novel about a fictional friendship between Marilyn Monroe and a young Reno hotel maid. The story takes place in 1960 during the dissolution of Monroe's marriage to playwright Arthur Miller. Chambermaid Pauline fails to recognize the actress when she first cleans her suite--but soon observes Marilyn's transition from sleepy Mrs. Miller to glamorous star. Monroe finds comfort and respect in her friendship with Pauline, who, in turn, gains confidence and a sense of purpose. Hewitt conveys Pauline's shyness in soft tones and nervousness through her halting pronunciation of "Nevada." Hewitt excels at portraying the multifaceted Monroe's dialogue, which ranges from iconically breathless to perky and emphatic during movie rehearsal scenes. A.L.C. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2025]