Wildflower by Drew Barrymore

I was raised in Hollywood, so I can say from experience that it is a crazy place to grow up. In my elementary school, moms drove carpools in their 2-seater Mercedes SLK roadsters, movie stars frequented our school bake sales and many dads worked in television, as my daddy did on the lot of Paramount Studios. Holidays in Hollywood were far from traditional, too. For example, my earliest memory of trick or treating was this: At the age of 8 years old, dressed as a witch, I walked across the street from my home on Arcola avenue to Bob Hope’s house because I was certain he would have the best candy on the block. I rang the doorbell and waited for my treat. A butler opened the door and handed me an autographed 8X10 glossy headshot of Bob Hope. I slumped down in my witch costume in disappointment. Then, I shoved the picture into my plastic pumpkin and hit the road. I knew at that moment that if I was growing up in Iowa I would be flush with mini chocolate bars. I was suspicious of Hollywood from then on. So I read Drew Barrymore’s book “Wildflower” with great interest and empathy. She could have easily ended up crashing and burning early, but she turned into a really nice and famous successful human being. Despite her loosey-goosey parents, rise to early childhood fame in “E.T.” and not one but two stints in rehab, she is now a successful working actress, producer and entrepreneur. Plus, at the end of the book she has two great little girls named Olive and Frankie, and a super cute husband named Will. This book was everything I look for in a good, page-turning Hollywood autobiography. I went to bed last Friday night excited to write this review and tell all my friends what a neat person Drew Barrymore is. Then, I woke up Saturday morning and went to People.com (my usual spot for breaking news) and there it was: “Drew Barrymore and Will Kopelman Will Divorce, Sources Confirm.”  (AHHHHHG!!!)  What went wrong? They have only been married for three years! This will be her third divorce! I was outraged. Can’t anyone other than my parents stay married in Hollywood? I stomped around the house feeling sad, mad and disappointed. I am a true romantic. I hate it when people break up, especially famous people who look so cute together. I read everything I could on line and tried to piece why their marriage had failed. I found no easy answers, but at the end of the day, I decided to recommend this book anyway. It is a great read, and a delightful listen on audiobook. Drew Barrymore is still a survivor despite her weird Hollywood upbringing. She is still smart, talented and cool. Her book should be read, except for the parts where she says she is in love with her husband, Will. I suggest you take a black Sharpie and just cross those parts out entirely.  Divorce is sad no matter when it happens, but life goes on. And so should Drew. To purchase this book on Amazon click here.