Book description
In her autobiography, legendary swimming and MGM star Esther Williams reveals what it was like to work at one of the premier studio's during Hollywood's "Golden Era". She was one of the studio's most bankable leading ladies. An American beauty and swimming champ, she was hired at MGM in 1941…
Why read it?
1 author picked The Million Dollar Mermaid as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
1950s MGM swimming star Esther Williams dazzled on-screen but faced challenges off it. Her autobiography recounts her rise from poverty, four turbulent marriages, and dangerous stunts that left her injured. A bio-pic of Williams would shine a spotlight on this resilient, forthright woman, blending the opulence of MGM’s golden age with the grit of her off-screen struggles.
From her innovative contributions (thank you for waterproof mascara and lycra swimwear!) to the harrowing realities of her stunts, her story is ripe for the big screen. Plus, imagine the sheer visual delight of recreating her most famous routines on the big screen.
From Ellen's list on The best books that would make great bio-pics.
If you love The Million Dollar Mermaid...
December on 5C4
Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!
On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…
Want books like The Million Dollar Mermaid?
Our community of 13,000+ authors has personally recommended 91 books like The Million Dollar Mermaid.
Share your top 3 reads of 2026!
And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.
179
readers submitted
so far, will you?
📚 If you like The Million Dollar Mermaid, you might also like...
Sexy Selfie Nation
The problem is not with the actions young women take but with the toxic, sexist conditions they are responding to.
Tanenbaum found, based on six years of interviews with young people ages 14-30, that young women are navigating a culture littered with gendered dress codes, revenge porn, and sexually explicit…
In This Together
In This Together explores how we can harness our social networks to make a real impact fighting the climate crisis. Against notions of the lone environmental crusader, Marianne E. Krasny shows us the power of "network climate action"—the idea that our own ordinary acts can influence and inspire those close…
