I wanted to love this book from the second I read the back cover but just like others it fell short for me. Don't read this for Marilyn she's barely in it. Read it for the stories of the Korean War, to honor the cruel tax War and destruction levy on the civilians as much as the military. I read [b:Pachinko|34051011|Pachinko|Min Jin Lee|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529845599l/34051011._SY75_.jpg|50384116] earlier in Asian Heritage Month and following it up with The Starlet and the Spy gave me the perspective of those who stayed in Korea during the war. I believe this book could have had the in depth development of characters, backstories, and romances had it had another 100 pages. I felt no true connection past empathy for those who lived (and still live) in such dire circumstances.

The love triangle felt like a plot device more than it did a true romance worthy of my fevered page turning.

Spoiler

The doomed love affair incites the big reveal and naturally that fell flat as well. When Alice spent the entire novel talking about how she had killed her lover's child I expected her to ACTUALLY kill this child. Writing a nasty letter to his wife causing her to bring his child to Seoul right before the war began to get bloody wasn't the dramatic reveal I thought the buildup had pushed us to.

Now let's talk about Marilyn's presence (or lack thereof) in this novel. I could equate my disappointment in this as the lead actor from the original is cast in the remake to fill seats but is killed off within 20 minutes of the film. I kept waiting for Marilyn to have an Ella Fitzgerald moment in Korea. To help Kim rescue the lost child and steal her away to America or really just do anything but pose for pictures and take pills. There was so much that was underdeveloped within this story that had Marilyn been cut out entirely, Lee could have turned her attention to filling out her true main character's world. I still enjoyed this short novel finding the perspective and story a necessary read. I didn't love it and that unrequited love has made me bitter.

3.2/5 stars, full review to come! I honestly think this would have been better off as a full blown novel with fewer flashbacks, but that’s what I say about almost everything. Alice and Marilyn’s interactions were my favorite part by far.

Plot: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
Pacing: 3/5
Writing: 3/5
Enjoyment: 3/5

Book Bite on behalf of the Sunday Times: https://bit.ly/2VFkmRD

~I go to work thinking of death.~

~My work basically consists of compiling useless information for the sake of binational amity.~

~Once, an American officer took out his wallet, saying, "I'd like to see for myself. Do Oriental girl's privates go horizontal or vertical?" I told him, "Every woman's privates look the same as your mother's."~

~The man who ruins a young lady's reputation is often a gentleman who walks her home at night.~

~The collapse of a relationship doesn't begin on the the day you part ways; it builds gradually, starting on the day you witness each other's truths.~

~It's easier to be attracted to one man's despair than it is to desire the love of two men. Ending up with my own loneliness is the easiest and quickest of all. In our triangle, each of us separately felt love and despair and loneliness.~

Rating: 3.5/5

I picked this book up because I love Marilyn Monroe and am fascinated by anything to do with Asian culture and history. The writing is quite good especially with it being a translated text. It didn't feel awkward and the flow of the narrative easy.

Using the historical event of Monroe's visit to Korea after the Korean war and the fictionalized character of Alice to tell the story of the hotels faced during what we call The Forgotten War was well executed.

I didn't connect with Alice like I wish I had but I did enjoy the story. I do think it got a bit too over the top at the end in terms of what happened to her. I think the final event wasn't necessary to make her trauma and emotional scars relevant or powerful.

I do recommend especially if you are looking for a quick read.

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 stars.