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POSTED: 16 JUNE 2010

Andrew O’Hagan, The Life and Opinions of Maf the Dog, and of His Friend Marilyn Monroe

Faber & Faber | 288pp paperback | $32.99

Woof! Yap Yap!

Which, in The Life and Opinions of Maf the Dog, and of His Friend Marilyn Monroe, could be a witty comment on Faulkner, Brecht or Hemingway — or an erudite insight into the nature of cats with their “strong heart for the burlesque”, Freudian psychoanalysis, or Hollywood directorship.

Whichever topic is under discussion — and they appear to be limitless — it will be a very intelligent and extremely well referenced set of opinions expressed by Maf and his doggy companions.

Maf is born in England in a home frequented by literary giants. Dogs — and in fact all animals, whether they be large, small, winged or slithery — can talk and understand each other. It seems they are born with an inherited memory gathered down the line of their ancestors as they listen to humans talking, reading and thinking throughout the centuries.

A nice conceit, but I can’t help thinking it would be a very noisy life (especially at a party) and likely to drive you mad with no off-switch. Still, let’s not be drawn into logic when clearly there is none.

Maf is brought to America by eccentric Russian-American Maria Gurdin, “muddah” to movie star Natalie Woods. Maf has been selected by Frank Sinatra as a cheer-up gift for Marilyn Monroe, who is feeling low after separation from her husband, playwright Henry Miller.

The story takes place in the last few years of Marilyn’s life, between New York and California, with a side trip to Mexico to complete her divorce. Marilyn is kind, intelligent and a little bit lost. She wants to be taken seriously, but too many images of her in tight sweaters and low-cut tops fill the public mind for that to happen easily.

Movie stars and political heroes are the cast of the book, but really, don’t read this novel hoping to get any insights into Marilyn, her life or that of her friends. It is really not about them at all.

Most likely it’s about Andrew O’Hagan, the author. Since he writes all the clever opinion delivered by Maf and his pals I assume he also must be very intelligent and extremely well referenced.

I accept all O’Hagan’s quotes, anecdotes, quips and literary opinions as truth. .Why not? It would take far too long to check them all out, and after all it is a work of fiction ... quirky fiction, but fun.

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