Marlene Dietrich

The Life

De: Maria Riva

Narrado por: Christa Lewis

With intimate detail, author Maria Riva reveals the rich life of her mother, Marlene Dietrich, the charismatic star of stage and screen whose career spanned much of the 20th century. Opening with Dietrich's childhood in Schöneberg, Riva's biography introduces us to an energetic, disciplined, and ambitious young actress whose own mother equated show business with a world of vagabonds and thieves.

Dietrich would quickly rise to stardom on the Berlin stage in the 1920s with her sharp wit and bisexual mystique, and wearing the top hat and tails that revolutionized our concept of beauty and femininity. She comes alive in these pages in all her incarnations: muse, collaborator, bona fide movie star, box-office poison, lover, wife, and mother.

During World War II, Dietrich would stand up to the Nazis and galvanize American troops, eventually earning the Congressional Medal of Freedom. There were her artistic relationships with Josef von Sternberg (The Blue Angel, Morocco, Shanghai Express), Colette, Erich Maria Remarque, Noël Coward, and Cole Porter, as well as her heady romances. And in her final years, Dietrich would make herself visibly invisible, devoting herself to the immortality of her legend.

©2017 Maria Riva (P)2020 Tantor

Wow

This is the best memoir ever written. Superb narration as well. Did not want it to end. A mesmeric portal to a different time and a testament to a luminary.

An Amazing Biography

Not only probably the best biography of a Hollywood star but a biography of the 20th century. How things moved, felt and how it all ultimately falls apart. Sad and beautiful. Only someone who lived it could bring this story to life as Maria Riva did and does.

What a Character, What a Saintly Patient & Intelligent Daughter

Maria Riva deserves not only a Medal of Honor for surviving her self-absorbed, tornado-of-destruction of a mother, but also should be lauded for her incredible talent as a writer. Throughout the highly-entertaining book, I found myself wanting to jot down some of her beautifully worded prose, to revisit and soak in at a later time.

More than anything, I was impressed with Riva’s keen, razor-sharp sense of humor and appreciation of the absurd - both qualities she clearly inherited from her mother. Riva’s, however, is manifested with humanity and class, without the cruel, downright meanness (and lack of respect and graciousness) of the vapid legend.

Excellent audio performance on this one, as well. The actor really captured the tone and personalities of both mother and daughter. Highly recommended!. Please write more, Ms. Riva!

A very detailed lengthy story of an icon

I enjoyed this book. Towards the end it seemed a bit too long. SO much detail. I do feel I have a glimpse of this icon. Very interesting as it spoke of many celebrities, presidents, the Queen Mary, (early 1900-90’s.

Unbelievably Great !!!

Just written so well and your totally involved with the story. Just try it, trust me !!!

Fantastic!

This book was absolutely amazing. I loved hearing about her mother, Marlene Dietrich; however, Madame Riva’s life story is the real story here and I walked away from this book feeling a bit gutted as it resembled my own childhood on some levels. Having a self-absorbed, narcissistic mother who, while she did many great things, really hurt the people closest to her in her wake and Madame Riva never had her own childhood. I applaud her courage for speaking her truth and sharing her story!

Brava, Maria Riva!!!

What an amazing summary of a legend! Stardom, choices, diva beyond behavior and tragedy are present throughout this journey! Brava, Maria Riva!!!

LOVED this book!

I was not necessarily a fan prior to reading this book. It’s so wonderful, I could not stop listening to it. Only insight a daughter could have.

Wonderful

what an amazing life. what an amazing story. have listened to this audiobook numerous times and they have actually read the book. love it!

Fascinating and Frustrating

Dietrich’s daughter, Maria Riva, shares her view of her mother’s extraordinary life in vivid detail. I found it compelling and learned a lot about this iconic figure. Overall it held my attention with just a few minor lags. My two issues are (1) although the narrator has a lovely voice, there wasn’t enough variation of accent or tone between characters, which often left me momentarily confused as to who was speaking. (2) I wanted to scream at the people in Dietrich’s life, especially her daughter, as they continually enabled her seriously dysfunctional behavior. Otherwise, a fascinating listen.