Marjorie Morningstar
by Herman Wouk
Marjorie Morningstar was a tragic, romantic film from 1958, starring Gene Kelly and Natalie Wood. Wood plays the title role, a young, aspiring actress who falls madly in love with an older, former song-and-dance man at a summer camp.
That’s where the similarities end. In the first chapter, Marjorie writes out "Morningstar" in her diary as a stage name she likes the sound of. In the film, Noel gives her the name. Even a detail that slight is huge--after all, it is the title--because it shows how much Noel shapes her sense of self and purpose. Obviously, the novel had other ideas.
Herman Wouk details much more than Marjorie and Noel’s love affair; it is obvious her life is the focus, rather than the film's straight romance. While in the film, Uncle Samson’s career is mentioned in one line of dialogue, Wouk devotes pages of explanation in his novel. Both Marjorie and Noel are different, each less likable than their filmic portrayals, each tragic heroes in their own ways. Without giving any spoilers, I will say the endings are drastically different; Wouk continues the novel decades after the film ends. One difference is amusing rather than relevant: Noel’s physical character description in the novel is more similar to Fred Astaire than Gene Kelly. I wonder if Wouk imagined different casting as he wrote the 565-paged epic.
If you loved the film, as I did, I wouldn’t recommend reading the book. Just enjoy Gene Kelly and his unmarred beautiful body the way it is. If you’re interested in reading an incredibly detailed, and at times slow, account of one woman’s life and loves in the mid-twentieth century, pick it up at your local bookstore.
Be sure and check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of the 1958 film adaptation here!
That’s where the similarities end. In the first chapter, Marjorie writes out "Morningstar" in her diary as a stage name she likes the sound of. In the film, Noel gives her the name. Even a detail that slight is huge--after all, it is the title--because it shows how much Noel shapes her sense of self and purpose. Obviously, the novel had other ideas.
Herman Wouk details much more than Marjorie and Noel’s love affair; it is obvious her life is the focus, rather than the film's straight romance. While in the film, Uncle Samson’s career is mentioned in one line of dialogue, Wouk devotes pages of explanation in his novel. Both Marjorie and Noel are different, each less likable than their filmic portrayals, each tragic heroes in their own ways. Without giving any spoilers, I will say the endings are drastically different; Wouk continues the novel decades after the film ends. One difference is amusing rather than relevant: Noel’s physical character description in the novel is more similar to Fred Astaire than Gene Kelly. I wonder if Wouk imagined different casting as he wrote the 565-paged epic.
If you loved the film, as I did, I wouldn’t recommend reading the book. Just enjoy Gene Kelly and his unmarred beautiful body the way it is. If you’re interested in reading an incredibly detailed, and at times slow, account of one woman’s life and loves in the mid-twentieth century, pick it up at your local bookstore.
Be sure and check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of the 1958 film adaptation here!