My Maril- Marilyn Monroe, Ronald Reagan, Hollywood, and Me by Terry Karger
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Web ID: 17697650Heartfelt and passionate
Terry Karger and Jay Margolis have written the mesmerizing story, My Maril, in memory of Marilyn Monroe, Jane Wymann, and Ronald Raegan, three of her confidantes and Hollywood stars. This unfiltered story contains stories that no one has heard about these three legendary figures, who, despite their fame, were humble and down to earth. Her father, Fred, began dating Marilyn when Terry was just six years old. However, Marilyn remained a family friend even after the affair ended. Of the three superstars, Marilyn is the main focus, and Karger goes into detail about the beautiful relationship their "Maril" had with this family. In addition, the author shares unseen pictures and stories about Marilyn's sweet nature along with the sorrowful events that occurred after her unfortunate passing. The authors have written an unfeigned memoir that displays the intensity of their feelings toward Marilyn Monroe. Karger and Margolis have reawakened Marilyn Monroe's legacy by sharing these personal and intimate stories. Readers get an insight into Marilyn Monroe's life from someone who saw her as an elder sister and a mother figure. Furthermore, they talk about her stepmother Jane Wymann, her ex-husband Ronald Reagan, and their children, Maureen and Michael. Despite being surrounded by celebrities her entire life, Karger always saw them as ordinary, and she has shared some of her engrossing encounters with other Hollywood stars. As a foster child, Marilyn regarded the Kargers as her adopted family. In spite of her admiration for Marilyn, Karger has also spoken of the superstar's insecurity as a young actress who struggled in the spotlight. Several people believe that Marilyn did not commit suicide but was murdered, and Terry Karger supports that claim by sharing numerous pieces of evidence. My Maril: Marilyn Monroe, Ronald Reagan, Hollywood, and Me is a beautiful and heartfelt biography and memoir that humanizes Marilyn Monroe and honors her in a way readers have not seen before. This passionate telling of her life and the impact she had on the writers is something readers will remember and hold onto. The emotions and motivation behind writing this story come from someone who knew and loved Marilyn as if she were her own family.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
A Look at the Unknown Aspects of Marilyn Monroe
Terry Karger knew Marilyn Monroe, known as Maril to her family, unlike anyone else in the world—this is truly an inside look not only at a beloved movie star but the then quaint town of Hollywood of the 1940-50s. Before Marilyn was the Marilyn the world knows, for the Karger family she was just a sweet, loving, beautiful and needy girl—that struggling actress trying to make sense of the world and find success doing what she loved. In the late 1940s, Terry Karger was a young girl whose father, Fred, was an accomplished Hollywood song writer and grandfather was a co-founder of Metro Pictures, progenitor of MGM. Enter Marilyn, who was being coached by Fred while they were romantically involved. Even though they’re relationship ended, Fred’s friendship and mentorship of Marilyn continued with all the best intentions. The Karger family essentially adopted her and Terry’s relationship with Marilyn developed into a big sister, loving aunt scenario where all of kinds of secrets and dreams were shared. Laced with insecurities from growing up in the foster care system, Marilyn found refuge within the Karger family as she found stardom in the 1950s. Nana, Terry’s grandmother, poured out heartfelt wisdom and love into this young woman who desperately needed both. These are the endearing portions of the book—the stories of Marilyn laughing, reading, joking around, learning, cooking, doing dishes, driving Terry to school and opening up her true soul to those trusted the most. Marilyn displayed a keen intelligence and burning desire for improvement, something emphasized throughout the book. Terry grew up around movie stars and Hollywood power brokers, making this part of the story pretty interesting. Her father married Jane Wyman, after her divorce from Ronald Reagan, and so Terry spent many weekends at Reagan’s ranch in Pacific Palisades with her step siblings, Michael and Maureen. The story of Maureen during the 1980 Presidential campaign is a classic. For her, movie stars were just neighbors and friends of the family, nothing special. I grew up in West Los Angeles and know all the LA/Beverly Hills/Hollywood locations really well, and to a certain degree can relate to viewing movie stars as just another person from various encounters and family connections. But what Terry Karger reveals is amazing because no one has ever heard these stories, no one has been ushered into those intimate family scenes, the times when Marilyn sought refuge from the spotlight with Nana, when she graciously offered to meet strangers who were friends of friends to create memorable moments. Through all Monroe’s travails, and there were many and a difficult part of the book, the safe haven of the Karger family was always available. She was loved and prized for thoughtful kindness and a quick wit— praised for constant self-improvement and faulted for bad judgement—excused for being naïve and forgiven for not playing the game better. There are many what ifs from this fascinating book, one where you will get to know the real Marilyn Monroe. Brad Butler, Author of ‘A World Flight Over Russia’ & ‘Without Redemption.’
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
The Untold Story of Marilyn Monroe
All I can say is WOW! This book about Marilyn Monroe will be different from anything you've ever read about her. The book is written by Terry Karger, who is the daughter of the voice coach, Fred Karger, that got Marilyn started in Hollywood. Terry met Marilyn, whose real name was Maril, in March of 1948, when she was only 6, and Maril was taking voice lessons from Fred. Maril became a valued member of the Karger family. Terry has resisted telling the story of Maril all these years. But she finally decided it was time to do it. And, boy, are we glad she did. This story is so illuminating of a Marilyn Monroe that none of us have ever seen before. I won't give away everything, but I do want to tell you to pay special attention late in the book as to how Marilyn died on August 5, 1962. And how the Kennedys were VERY MUCH involved. You will enjoy reading about how Marilyn became an integral part of the Karger family. And how Terry spent so much time with the Hollywood elite. You will be interested in Marilyn's close relationship with Terry's father, Fred. And you will certainly enjoy reading about Fred's 2 marriages to Jane Wyman, and how that led Terry to become a big part of Ronald Reagan's life. I especially liked learning more about Joe DiMaggio's relationship with Marilyn. We've all heard how Joe loved Marilyn, even for the nearly 37 years that he lived after Marilyn died. But there are a lot of other details we didn't know...until now! Finally, the pictures that we see throughout the book are amazing. They show a side of Marilyn that we just didn't ever get to see. And it's fun to see pictures of so many big-time celebrities back in their heyday. But through it all, Maril was someone that we just didn't know. She was kind, generous, funny, warm, very intelligent, and loving. You have to read this book so you can also learn who the real Marilyn Monroe was. Thank you to Terry Karger, for finally giving us a picture of someone who has historically been portrayed incorrectly. You will learn who she was and why Terry and her family loved her so much. People, get a copy of this book as soon as it becomes available. You will thank me.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
I Greatly Recommend this Deeply Personal Memoir
It is easy for many to look at celebrities as figures on television or movie screens from a distance while forgetting off-camera they are humans with feelings, frailties, tragedies and private lives. Stellar Biographer Jay Margolis looks into the lives of two iconic stars of the mid-20th century, Marilyn Monroe and Ronald Reagan, not as the talented on-camera personalities but as the people behind what we see in old films and tabloids, in My Maril: Marilyn Monroe, Ronald Reagan, Hollywood and Me. Writing the book though the eyes of Terry Karger, who met Ms. Monroe and Ronald Reagan during her childhood days, Jay offers us a rare insight into both of these people who were greatly cherished by their fans through the close, personal connections Ms. Karger had with them. We learn how Ms. Monroe confided with the Karger family with her most personal feelings while putting on a brave, smiling face for the public. We also find out the influence the mega-star had on young Terry’s own life from her formidable years into adulthood. Margolis’ conversations with Ms. Karger also delve into the truth behind Marilyn Monroe’s own relationships and her untimely passing. Margolis also shows us thorough Ms. Karger the man behind Ronald Reagan’s persona as we also learn more about Jane Wyman (also Terry’s father Fred’s wife at one time) in My Maril. Through her family’s endeavors, Ms. Karger’s very personal interactions with celebrated talents have turned into a more intimate and memorable memoir (with photos) than accounts of those who watched from the sidelines. This book is clearly recommended for those who are looking for more than celebrity accomplishments and some behind-the-scenes anecdotes and would like to take a serious look at who these icons really were when there was nary a camera in a mile’s radius.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
A Uniquely Personal Insight into Marilyn Monroe
My Maril tells the true story of Marilyn Monroe from the perspective of someone who knew her for most of her life. While Marilyn’s persona in the media was a “dumb blonde” sex symbol, the true Marilyn was much more. Terry Karger, daughter of vocal coach Fred Karger, met Marilyn as a child, when Marilyn was dating her father. Affectionately nicknamed “Maril” by the Karger family, Marilyn became a part of the family and remained so even after her and Fred broke up. To Terry, Marilyn was an older sister figure who was kind, generous, intelligent, and sometimes mischievous. This book is a recollection of Terry’s childhood and young adulthood in Hollywood, where she grew up exposed to movie stars and other famous people. However, her impressions weren’t formed by the media, instead by her own personal experiences and interactions with said people. This unique perspective sets My Maril apart from other similar books. Jay Margolis and Terry Karger weave a unique and personal tale, one that paints Marilyn as a human rather than her Hollywood persona. This book clears up many controversies and confusion about Marilyn’s life. It leads up to her suspicious death, which was considered a suicide despite much evidence proving otherwise. Terry and Jay do an incredible job of backing up these claims. I went into this book with little knowledge of Marilyn’s life and came out of it feeling like I knew her personally. Terry does a wonderful job of recounting her relationship with Marilyn, and it truly draws the reader in. The addition of never-before-seen photos is a wonderful touch that enhances the story. It’s nice to see Marilyn outside of the professional, Hollywood glamour shots, and the photos support Terry’s view of the real Marilyn. The book is well-organized, and I never felt lost despite the focus changing at times to reflect other figures in Terry’s life. Marilyn’s story is both heartwarming and tragic, and Jay and Terry did an amazing job of conveying that. I absolutely loved reading this book thanks to the personal insight. Well-written, thought-provoking, and entertaining, I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an insight into old Hollywood or fans of Marilyn Monroe.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com