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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
Maybe I'm just not the intended audience for this book. I wouldn't say I'm a fan of Drew Barrymore, but I also don't dislike her. I picked up her memoir because I heard she had a rough childhood and was interested, but needless to say, this book wasn't what I was expecting.
First of all, this is a more a collection of short stories from Barrymore's life than a traditional memoir. The stories aren't told in chronological order, and vary greatly in terms of importance (for lack of a better word). For instance, Barrymore talks about Spielberg and her grandfather, two important figures in her life, but also random shit like the entire chapter devoted to how she is a klutz, or another talking only about how she apparently stares at other people's food greedily? I'm sorry, what is the significance of that?
But the worst part of this book was the grammar and writing. There was a sentence that took up EIGHTEEN lines, she frequently switched from past and present tense in the middle of sentences, she! used! so! many! exclamation! points! (like this!!!!!!!!!!), and it all drove me crazy! She also used the word "just" so freaking often that I wanted to scream. Honestly, these are things that we all do (and I'm certainly guilty of doing it myself), but there a huge difference between making these mistakes in informal text versus a published novel. I find it hard to believe that this book ever saw an editor.
All that being said, it wasn't terrible. It was boring at times, but I found most of the stories to be interesting and enjoyed the glimpse into Drew Barrymore's life.
First of all, this is a more a collection of short stories from Barrymore's life than a traditional memoir. The stories aren't told in chronological order, and vary greatly in terms of importance (for lack of a better word). For instance, Barrymore talks about Spielberg and her grandfather, two important figures in her life, but also random shit like the entire chapter devoted to how she is a klutz, or another talking only about how she apparently stares at other people's food greedily? I'm sorry, what is the significance of that?
But the worst part of this book was the grammar and writing. There was a sentence that took up EIGHTEEN lines, she frequently switched from past and present tense in the middle of sentences, she! used! so! many! exclamation! points! (like this!!!!!!!!!!), and it all drove me crazy! She also used the word "just" so freaking often that I wanted to scream. Honestly, these are things that we all do (and I'm certainly guilty of doing it myself), but there a huge difference between making these mistakes in informal text versus a published novel. I find it hard to believe that this book ever saw an editor.
All that being said, it wasn't terrible. It was boring at times, but I found most of the stories to be interesting and enjoyed the glimpse into Drew Barrymore's life.
It was OK at best. I listened to the audio book version so maybe that was part of the issue. Her narration was great until she started screaming into the microphone - this was done far too many times.
The substance of the book was lacking. Nice stories, but none that truly piqued my interest. We don't get to find out what her childhood was really like or what her mom what truly like.
And the whole book was totally out of sequence, which didn't make any sense. Make me dislike it even more.
Overall, would not recommend. Somebody else on here said it perfectly when they said they are a fan of Drew the person/actress, but not Drew the writer. I'd have to agree.
The substance of the book was lacking. Nice stories, but none that truly piqued my interest. We don't get to find out what her childhood was really like or what her mom what truly like.
And the whole book was totally out of sequence, which didn't make any sense. Make me dislike it even more.
Overall, would not recommend. Somebody else on here said it perfectly when they said they are a fan of Drew the person/actress, but not Drew the writer. I'd have to agree.
if you're ever feeling down, and need something (or someone) to cheer you up, look no further. drew barrymore's "life in stories" - as goodreads puts it - is a must-listen. she is a sickeningly positive person, and she has every right to be after the life she's lived. and that's not to say this book emphasizes that; she is just a fantastic storyteller. every chapter was a different story, and every one hooked me. i loved learning about her life: motherhood, her friendship with adam sandler, and her time filming ET!
i personally prefer listening to memoirs rather than reading, especially if the author is the narrator. hearing her voice tell her stories is by far better than any inside voice of mine. whether you listen in one sitting, or listen when you just need a pick-me-up, i highly recommend this one!
i personally prefer listening to memoirs rather than reading, especially if the author is the narrator. hearing her voice tell her stories is by far better than any inside voice of mine. whether you listen in one sitting, or listen when you just need a pick-me-up, i highly recommend this one!
3.5 Stars!!
Drew Barrymore has always been a favourite of mine !!! her struggle as a young child, from that to her alcohol abuse and then to become the amazing woman she is today, it’s super inspiring.
This is such a feel good book. I love it a lot. Drew doesn’t get too in-depth with her struggles in life, which would have been good. But anyway, still learn a lot about her!
Also, not the best written memoir I’ve ever read, but Drew is obviously not a writer so I forgive her !
Drew Barrymore has always been a favourite of mine !!! her struggle as a young child, from that to her alcohol abuse and then to become the amazing woman she is today, it’s super inspiring.
This is such a feel good book. I love it a lot. Drew doesn’t get too in-depth with her struggles in life, which would have been good. But anyway, still learn a lot about her!
Also, not the best written memoir I’ve ever read, but Drew is obviously not a writer so I forgive her !
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
"...yet as I say in the book, you do nothing in this life alone. And most of all, you do not live alone. And therefore we all have stories to tell. These are mine."
I'll go ahead and admit it; I've never been a big Drew Barrymore fan. In fact, I probably would have never picked up this book had it not come in a Singles Swag monthly box last year. I don't know what it is about her that I didn't like. I enjoyed some of her movies well enough (E.T. is always a classic, and I went through a phase of loving 50 First Dates in middle school when it came out). I think I just made a lot of assumptions about her, and I kind of regret that I've done so after reading Wildflower.
Wildflower reads kind of like a collection of short stories. Each chapter is its own little story about Drew's life and experiences. There is no timeline; one story may be about working on Charlie's Angels, the next may be about the house she grew up in prior to her E.T. fame. Though these stories just around, it isn't confusing to keep up.
Immediately, the Preface had me pulled in, and I just kept enjoying each story more and more. In the Preface, Drew talked briefly about writing this book, but it was the way she explained the book itself that captured me: "This is a book you can dip into and read when you want. But I can only hope that every once in a while it catches you inconveniently feeling something." And I was surprised to feel something in so many of these chapters. This was written by a woman who I felt like I would have little in common with, and yet... here I was, feeling things after some of the chapters. Finding myself in these stories and realizing that some aspects of life are universal.
Whether you're a massive Drew Barrymore fan or not, I think you should at least give this one a try. It surprised me and made me want to learn more about her and watch a few of her films that I haven't seen but were mentioned in the book.
I'll go ahead and admit it; I've never been a big Drew Barrymore fan. In fact, I probably would have never picked up this book had it not come in a Singles Swag monthly box last year. I don't know what it is about her that I didn't like. I enjoyed some of her movies well enough (E.T. is always a classic, and I went through a phase of loving 50 First Dates in middle school when it came out). I think I just made a lot of assumptions about her, and I kind of regret that I've done so after reading Wildflower.
Wildflower reads kind of like a collection of short stories. Each chapter is its own little story about Drew's life and experiences. There is no timeline; one story may be about working on Charlie's Angels, the next may be about the house she grew up in prior to her E.T. fame. Though these stories just around, it isn't confusing to keep up.
Immediately, the Preface had me pulled in, and I just kept enjoying each story more and more. In the Preface, Drew talked briefly about writing this book, but it was the way she explained the book itself that captured me: "This is a book you can dip into and read when you want. But I can only hope that every once in a while it catches you inconveniently feeling something." And I was surprised to feel something in so many of these chapters. This was written by a woman who I felt like I would have little in common with, and yet... here I was, feeling things after some of the chapters. Finding myself in these stories and realizing that some aspects of life are universal.
Whether you're a massive Drew Barrymore fan or not, I think you should at least give this one a try. It surprised me and made me want to learn more about her and watch a few of her films that I haven't seen but were mentioned in the book.
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
If you don't like Drew Barrymore then don't bother reading this book. Written at age 40 she jumps around significant moments in her life and how they formed her she is into the person she is today. Drew is extremely lucky to not have become a lost child star, and had key people enter her life along the way. She seems to be very loyal to those in her life, and keeps even the bad in her life very positive. Being three years younger I have watched her life in the press and happy to see the woman she had turned into, and maybe has been a bit of a guide in learning to be comfortable with myself.
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced