AFTER THE SUCCESS OF HER BIOGRAPHIES FRIDA KAHLO AND BOWIE, MARÍA HESSE, WITH MORE THAN 200,000 READERS, REVEALS A MARILYN LIKE WE HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE
ONE OF THE 30 BEST BIOGRAPHIES ACCORDING TO ELLE
“The style of illustrator María Hesse is as recognizable as Hollywood’s most famous blonde hair. A bestseller success at 30 with her biographies, [...] chosen as one of the 100 best illustrators in the world by Taschen [...] and after more than a year of research and multiple readings, [...] she presents a myth that breaks with clichés.”
Marta de la Calzada, Telva
She was one of the great icons of the 20th century, the most popular face of all time. The general public fell in love with her, as did filmmakers, writers, and even the President of the United States himself. However, she died alone and misunderstood at thirty-six. Who was Norma Jeane Baker really? The most famous actress in film history, the sex symbol of an entire era, the quintessential blonde stereotype hid a person who remains largely unknown.
After bringing to life the hearts of Frida Kahlo and David Bowie, revealing their most human side, María Hesse has brought forth the soul of Marilyn Monroe, a woman who, like so many of her contemporaries, shattered all standards and deserves to be remembered, now more than ever, for her talent, sensitivity, intelligence, and the barriers she broke.
Critics have said:
“Illustrator María Hesse dives into the unknown biography of one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actresses and illustrates it with her unmistakable style. [...] Another must-have to celebrate Lumen’s sixtieth anniversary.”
Vogue
“A groundbreaking, intimate, and moving work.”
Lidia González, Traveler
“A precious biography full of feeling in which the protagonist herself tells us all the stages of her eventful life.”
Iñaki Calvo, Graffiti (Radio Euskadi)
“María Hesse brings out the soul of Marilyn Monroe, [aunque] she is not interested in the star. With her big eyes, fine Chinese ink strokes, and intense colors, she draws the person behind one of the most powerful sex symbols of all time. [...] María revisits the myth of Marilyn through a woman’s perspective. Pain and pleasure in each of her figures. María Hesse has touched our hearts again.”
Canal Sur
“Hesse has the great virtue of making unreachable idols seem incredibly close. The author does not talk about the movie star, although of course that is inherent to her figure, but she talks about the woman. [...] One of those books you have to read to understand the character in that dual dimension, the one forever imprinted on celluloid and the one that remained hidden from her legions of fans.”
Juan Rodríguez Millán, Cómic para todos
“A jewel both visually and literarily. [...] I resist putting it on the shelf. Without a doubt, María Hesse has earned a well-visible place of honor with this work of art.”
Furor TV
“A very beautiful, lovely book.”
Carlos Alsina, Más de uno (Onda Cero)
“Hesse makes Marilyn tell her life story to the reader [...] showing her unknown side and [...] once again demonstrates her mastery with the illustrations.”
Pilar Martín, EFE
“The style of illustrator María Hesse is as recognizable as Hollywood’s most famous blonde hair.”
Marta de la Calzada, Telva
