The Life and Opinions of Maf the Dog, and of His Friend Marilyn Monroe published by Faber & Faber, is a novel by Scottish novelist Andrew O'Hagan, about the life and philosophical observations of "Maf" (short for "Mafia Honey"), a Maltese dog given to Marilyn Monroe by Frank Sinatra.
 | |
| Author | Andrew O'Hagan |
|---|---|
| Country | UK |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Faber & Faber |
Publication date | 2010 |
The novel won O'Hagan a Glenfiddich Spirit of Scotland Award.
John Banville compared it to The Great Gatsby and the oeuvre of Vladimir Nabokov. [1] Peter Bogdanovich, who knew Monroe personally, lauded O'Hagan's portrayal of her, stating that the dialogue was "absolutely authentic". [2]
National Public Radio found it "dazzling but occasionally wearying", with Maf's observations — explained as the result of dogs "absorb(ing) everything known to their owners", as well as "the thoughts of (everyone they) meet" — leading to "sometimes pretentious and convoluted but generally hilarious disquisitions" about a wide variety of subjects, but noted that "(n)ot all the philosophical ruminations work." [3]
The Scotsman called it "good fooling, with a fair quota of intellectual crackle", and observed that "(r)eaders who can [follow] the references and allusions will share [O'Hagan's] enjoyment", but faulted his portrayal of Monroe, saying that it was "entirely conventional and doesn't offer a single surprise." [4]
In 2010, The Guardian mentioned that Angelina Jolie and George Clooney were being considered for parts in a film adaptation of the novel. [5] [6] [7]
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