Can't We Be Friends: A Novel of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe by Denny S. Bryce and Eliza Knight: A Book Review

 

Can’t We Be Friends: A Novel of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe 

Author: Denny S Bryce and Eliza Knight

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks

Book Release Date: 2024

Pages: 386

Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: Award-winning author Denny S. Bryce and USA Today bestselling author Eliza Knight collaborate on a brilliant novel that uncovers the boundary-breaking, genuine friendship between Ella Fitzgerald, the Queen of Jazz, and iconic movie star Marilyn Monroe. 

One woman was recognized as the premiere singer of her era with perfect pitch and tireless ambition.

       One woman was the most glamorous star in Hollywood, a sex symbol who took the world by storm.

       And their friendship was fast and firm…

     1952: Ella Fitzgerald is a renowned jazz singer whose only roadblock to longevity is society’s attitude toward women and race. Marilyn Monroe’s star is rising despite ongoing battles with movie studio bigwigs and boyfriends. When she needs help with her singing, she wants only the best—and the best is the brilliant Ella Fitzgerald. But Ella isn’t a singing teacher and declines—then the two women meet, and to everyone’s surprise but their own, they become fast friends. 

       On the surface, what could they have in common? Yet each was underestimated by the men in their lives—husbands, managers, hangers-on. And both were determined to gain. Each fought for professional independence and personal agency in a time when women were expected to surrender control to those same men. 

      This novel reveals and celebrates their surprising bond over a decade and serves as a poignant reminder of how true friendship can cross differences to bolster and sustain us through haunting heartbreak and wild success.

      My Review: Can’t We Be Friends tells the story of the friendship between Marilyn Monroe and Ella Fitzgerald. Marilyn Monroe has scored a leading role in Gentlemen Prefers Blondes. Because the role demands a lot of singing, Marilyn writes Ella Fitzgerald a letter to ask her for singing lessons. Ella Fitzgerald declines because she was self-taught and not professionally trained. However, the two begin a lifelong friendship.

      I am a major fan of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe. I have read a few biographies on Marilyn Monroe. While I listen to a lot of Ella Fitzgerald’s music, I have yet to read a biography of her. I found that this book did an excellent job in portraying Ella and Marilyn’s friendship. Their friendship was very enduring. They both had failed marriages and were going through challenges in their careers. However, they both deeply cared and were there for one another. Even though Marilyn Monroe’s drug addiction distanced Ella Fitzgerald, she was still very supportive of her and helped her. When they realized that their dreams of love and romance were not working, they had each other to lean on. Therefore, I admired their deep bond and loving friendship.

    Overall, this book is about friendship, hardships, and goals. I found that all of the characters were realistic and were true to their historical counterparts. I did think that Marilyn Monroe’s story was more developed than Ella Fitzgerald. I also thought that the book moved at a steady and even pace. I thought that the novel was also meticulously researched, and it did a wonderful job in making Golden Age Hollywood come alive! Can’t We Be Friends was a very engrossing novel, and I did not want it to end! I came away from the book feeling as if I knew them! Can’t We Be Friends is a must-read for fans of both Marilyn Monroe and Ella Fitzgerald! I also recommend it for fans of Diva, Platinum Doll, and The Only Woman in the Room!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars