Marlene Dietrich by Maria Riva Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Marlene Dietrich
Book Review: Astounding Biography
Summary: 5 Stars
This book was an incredible read for a couple of reasons. Marlene Dietrich was a complex troubled individual and the story of her life parallels a century of film history from Berlin to Hollywood. I met Maria Riva at a book signing in Miami and she was so gracious and even took the time to chat and clarify points in the book that were not clear to me.Book Review: Boring - What a shame of how to remember one's Mother.
Summary: 1 Stars
Trying to get through this book is like watching paint dry. It's written so poorly. Every stinking detail about Marlene's life. Could've been written better. I don't care how many times her breasts were taped up or how many times she wet her pants when she laughed. I'm sure there were more important things that happened. The way this story about her life is written and all her lovers and how she flaunts them in her husband's face, makes Britany Spears and Lindsay Lohan look like saints. Even Paris Hilton is looking more saintly after reading this book! What a shame of how to remember one's Mother.Book Review: Dietrich vs MaDonna, compared to Dietrich, MaDonna's a saint
Summary: 5 Stars
Great Woman, they don't make movie stars, or women like that anymore. Here's a woman that I would want to be like if I was a movie star. Here's a woman who lived by her own rules, who didn't try to live by Hollywood standards. She knew how to be glamorous in her own way. She knew how to make love to the camera, something that even models have a hard time doing, it take models years, it took Dietrich a second. She led such a great, adventurous life, a life not too many people could live. Even if your not a fan of her, reading this book will make you or you'll learn a few things. The daughter of Marlene Dietrich describes Dietrich in a way I could sense that she was, but that's why I like her, she wasn't fake, she wasn't the best mother, but she tried. Maria Riva just wanted to be famous and added among the other movie stars daughters who write books, but she's just mad because she's not as famous as Lana Turner's daughter, reading this book makes you think she wanted something to happen similiar to what happen to Lana Turner duaghter, so she could have her claim to fame. But anyways, she talks about her mother like a dog especially how she kept performing right into her 70s, well she looked good and she still could perform, Maria Riva just mad because she looked older then her mother did, and I hope I look that good when I'm in my 70s and have a nice body like she did. I like how Marlene Dietrich divorced herself from the world, and didn't let the world see her grow old, she wasn't going to give Hollywood what they wanted to see her in a wheelchair or barely walking, she wanted everyone to remembr as she was, I hope I can leave with the grace, pride, and dignity that she had. A Legend you are. Rest In Peace. Oh By The Way, you think MaDonna's something, ha, compared to Dietrich, MaDonna's a saint.Book Review: Extremely interesting and candid
Summary: 5 Stars
Not a fluff piece by any means, and very well told story. This is no "Mommy Dearest" The complexities-- the ups and downs, the good and bad both-- of a compelling and original 20th century star.Book Review: German enigma
Summary: 4 Stars
This book gets stronger as it goes along, because we begin to understand how the relationship between Riva and Dietrich evolved over the years as the author had to become the caretaker of her mother. In the first half of the book, when Riva is recounting the "glory years" of 1930's Hollywood, she has a tendency to talk about her own fondness for egg salad sandwiches...not exactly interesting stuff. But as she grows up, her observations grow as well, and soon we are left with a biography that leaves Dietrich naked before us and yet endears her to us as well. She may not have been a wonderful mother, but it is still clear that Riva respected and loved her, and this comes through in the pages. Dietrich was a fascinating presence on screen and is an equally fascinating one in print.