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Book Summary and Reviews of Blonde Dust by Tatiana de Rosnay

Blonde Dust by Tatiana de Rosnay

Blonde Dust

by Tatiana de Rosnay

  • Publishes:
  • Jun 3, 2025, 320 pages
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About this book

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.

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Reviews

Media Reviews

"Tatiana de Rosnay's new novel, Blonde Dust, is a lovely portrait of female friendship, loss, and the unexpected ways in which a life can change. Their story is one of redemption and growth, a moment of magic that reveals a version of the iconic actress we haven't seen before. Haunting." —Kristin Hannah, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Women

"Tatiana De Rosnay is a master craftsman who brings characters to life in real worlds. With her keen eye for detail and with great emotional sweep, de Rosnay captures the American west, the fragility and humor of Monroe, and the unforgettable friendship the star forges with Pauline. This is a Hollywood tale with heart." —Adriana Trigiani, New York Times bestselling author of The View from Lake Como

"Tatiana de Rosnay is a global literary treasure and Blonde Dust verifies her status. Through Monroe's unlikely friendship with Pauline, a young hotel maid, de Rosnay compassionately draws a new image of the star. One of a deeply feeling, intelligent woman seeking her personal oasis but unable to escape the dust storm of celebrity. Expertly researched and insightfully crafted, Blonde Dust is a true gem." —Sarah McCoy, New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author of Whatever Happened To Lori Lovely?

This information about Blonde Dust was first featured in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.

Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.

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Author Information

Tatiana de Rosnay Author Biography

Tatiana de Rosnay was born on September 28th, 1961 in the suburbs of Paris. She is of English, French and Russian descent.  Her father is French scientist Joël de Rosnay, her grandfather was painter Gaëtan de Rosnay. Tatiana's paternal great-grandmother was Russian actress Natalia Rachewskïa, director of the Leningrad Pushkin Theatre from 1925 to 1949.
 
Tatiana's mother is English, Stella Jebb, daughter of diplomat Gladwyn Jebb, and  great-great-granddaughter of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the British engineer. Tatiana is also the niece of historian Hugh Thomas.  Tatiana was raised in Paris and then in Boston, when her father taught at MIT in the 70's. She moved to England in the early 80's and obtained a Bachelor's degree in ...

... Full Biography
Author Interview
Link to Tatiana de Rosnay's Website

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