Review: The Life and Opinions of Maf the Dog . . . by Andrew O'Hagan

Goodreads: In November 1960, Frank Sinatra gave Marilyn Monroe a dog. His name was Mafia Honey, or Maf for short. He had an instinct for celebrity. For politics. For psychoanalysis. For literature. For interior decoration. For Liver Treat with a side order of National Biscuits. Born in the household of Vanessa Bell, brought to the United States by Natalie Wood's mother, given as a Christmas present to Marilyn the winter after she separated from Arthur Miller, Maf offers a keen insight into the world of Hollywood's greatest star. Not to mention a hilarious peek into the brain of an opinionated, well-read, politically scrappy, complex canine hero. Maf was with Marilyn for the last two years of her life, first in New York, where she mixed with everyone who was anyone - the art dealer Leo Castelli, Lee Strasberg, and the Actor's Studio crowd, Upper West Side emigres - then back to Los Angeles. She took him to meet President Kennedy and to Hollywood restaurants, department stores, and interviews. To Mexico, for her divorce.

Kritters Thoughts: Welp it was about time I read a book that I wasn't crazy about. I had a long string of great reads.

I did love hearing the stories that involved Frank Sinatra - didn't potray him in the nicest light. I never thought he was anything but gentlemanly and the everyday man. I also enjoyed hearing a book come from the prospective of a dog, different and interesting, I liked it.

For what I didn't enjoy, as far as a dog talking that was great for this book, but the rest of the animals talking to Maf the dog was weird. I didn't understand why he would have all these conversations with ants and birds.

I also didn't know how historically accurate this book followed Marilyn's life. Unfortunately, I haven't read a ton about her and her life, so I can't say for sure, but I feel as though if you are going to write fiction about a historical figure it needs to be close to the truth. I didn't understand how President Kennedy could have taken such a back burner - maybe their affair has been blown up over the years, but it was absolutely brushed aside.

So for those who are Marilyn Monroe fans - you may enjoy, but to those who aren't and like things historical to be close, I would say skip over this one.

Rating:not such a good read

Pages: 288

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