but rather a brilliant presence

Some would say tht Marilyn Monroe was not so much a great singer, or actor, but rather a brilliant presence.
怎么翻译这句话啊，特别是最后一句，rather a brilliant presence怎么理解啊，谢谢。

but rather a brilliant presence 什么意思？“Life is nothing but a competition to be the criminal rather than the victim.” 这句rather,为什么又不用but would rather 呀？ A.In spite of B.Rather than Have a cup of tea? Oh, rather. --Ms Wang looks a rather kind lady. rather than do还是rather than to do,all of a sudden什么形式 but a world away 是什么意思? 我想知道英语中有没有"but rather"的用法 normally Dr.Machkenzize is rather( )but somethimes he talks freely about himself