Arthur Miller recordings are published in new book
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 7
Arthur Miller recordings are published in new book
5 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 7
The tapes, transcribed by biographer Christopher Bigsby and published Thursday by Cambridge University Press, show Miller saying Marilyn Monroe's 1962 overdose death at 36 seemed inevitable.
He described their 1956-1961 marriage as quickly troubled by her drug use, paranoia and failed pregnancies, saying he once summoned doctors after she swallowed enough drugs to kill her.
Recorded from the mid-1970s until shortly before Miller's 2005 death, the conversations also revisit McCarthyism, The Crucible, self-doubt, fame and the strains on his other marriages.
Was Miller's script for 'The Misfits' a loving gift or a cruel mirror of Monroe's private pain?
Did Arthur Miller's love for Marilyn Monroe ultimately cause her more harm than good?
The Arthur Miller Tapes (2026): A Life in His Own Words and Its Impact on Contemporary Theatre
Overview
In May 2026, Cambridge University Press released *The Arthur Miller Tapes*, a unique collection of taped conversations between Arthur Miller and his longtime friend and scholar Christopher Bigsby, who transcribed and preserved these recordings over decades. This release coincides with the anniversary of Miller's death and the sixth Broadway revival of *Death of a Salesman*, amid a broader resurgence of interest in Miller's work worldwide. The book reveals Miller's personal reflections on his marriages, politics, and identity, and offers fresh insights into his plays. Praised by theatre professionals, the tapes also enrich ongoing scholarship and preservation efforts, ensuring Miller's legacy remains vibrant for future generations.