Andrew O'Hagan on Marilyn Monroe's dog, 20th century absurdity and literary devices, at 5x15

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Andrew O'Hagan on Marilyn Monroe's dog, 20th century absurdity and literary devices, at 5x15

17 May 2010

Speakers: Andrew O'Hagan

From his origins in 'kitchen sink' Glasgow, Andrew O'Hagan explains how he came to write a book using the voice of Marilyn Monroe's dog, Maf, a gift from Frank Sinatra. Monroe is the most written about women in world history, the Queen of pop art and an inspiration for much fictional invention.

In 1999 O'Hagan found himself at a Christie's auction - next to him was Tommy Hilfiger, there to purchase Monroe's jeans, which were to him an icon of the 20th century. For O'Hagan this was the epitome of late 20th century art: the absurdity and the desire to be close to vitality. O'Hagan is not the first author to use animated animals as insightful characters commenting on human life - his predecessors include the likes or George Orwell and Robert Burns. However, O'Hagan's Maf not only critiques and commentates, he gives a historic voice to an unheard minority.