Book Summary and Reviews of Blonde Dust by Tatiana de Rosnay

Book Summary

A moving, redemptive novel about the unexpected friendship between Marilyn Monroe and a young maid whose life will be changed forever, from the New York Times bestselling author of Sarah's Key.

Pauline, a young chambermaid who works at the legendary Mapes Hotel in Reno, Nevada, is asked to step in for a colleague and clean Suite 614. Although she was told the rooms were empty, a dazed, sleepy woman appears before her. This is Mrs. Miller, aka Marilyn Monroe, whose stay in Reno coincides with the breakdown of her marriage to Arthur Miller and the filming of what was to be her last film, The Misfits.

Set in the American West in 1960 where the mustang horses run wild, an unexpected friendship unfolds between the most famous movie star in the world and a young cleaning woman whose life will be changed forever through the course of a few weeks. A testament to the enduring power of female friendship and a reimagining of a side of Marilyn Monroe that has never been seen before.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. The novel opens at the moment Pauline hears the news of the Mapes hotel's demolition. Why do you think the author chose to start the novel there?
2. When as ked how she felt about the Mapes Hotel demolition in the beginning of the novel , Pauline responds by saying, "I can't help feeling emotional . That hotel was like an entire world to me." Were you familiar with the hi s tory of this hotel? Are there buildings or places where you grew or live now that have had a formidable impact on your life like the Mapes did for Pauline, Marilyn, and others?
3. Marcel le i s one of the many war brides that made their way from France to the United States after WWI I ended (and one of the lucky brides who was not deserted by her soldier). ...