Marlene Dietrich: The Life by Maria RivaMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Marlene Dietrich is best known for being a Hollywood actress in the 1930s and beyond. This book, written by her only child, goes far beyond the glitz and glamor of fame to the real enigma that is Dietrich.
What I really liked about this book is that the quality of the narrative grows as the narrator grows in age, from a small girl in Germany to being a full-time assistant to her famous mother. At times Riva is mesmerized by Dietrich as much as the public would have been, and other times she digs deeper into the story to expose the lies that Dietrich liked to tell herself and those around her. The book exposes a lot of Dietrich's diaries, starting back from when she was just a teen. It also exposes many of her affairs, though some still remain unnamed for various reasons. Overall, it is a star biography that cannot be passed up, especially for those who like vintage Hollywood.
*Book provided by NetGalley
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