Book

Little Girl Lost

📖 Overview

Little Girl Lost is Drew Barrymore's memoir about her experiences as a child actor in Hollywood, published when she was just fourteen years old. The book follows her rise to fame, starting with her first commercial at eleven months old through her breakout role in E.T. at age seven. The narrative chronicles Barrymore's early exposure to adult environments, including Studio 54 and Hollywood parties, and her struggles with substance abuse beginning at age nine. She writes about her complicated relationship with her parents, particularly her father John Barrymore Jr., and the pressure of growing up in the public eye as part of a legendary acting dynasty. The memoir details Barrymore's time in rehabilitation and her legal battle for emancipation from her parents at age fourteen. Through her story, the book examines the dark side of child stardom and the impact of family dysfunction on young performers in the entertainment industry.

👀 Reviews

Readers describe this memoir as raw and honest, appreciating Barrymore's openness about her turbulent childhood. Many commend her vulnerability in sharing difficult experiences with addiction and family struggles at such a young age. What readers liked: - Detailed behind-the-scenes look at child stardom - Clear writing style that feels authentic to a teenager - Balance between Hollywood stories and personal struggles - Co-author Todd Gold's ability to capture Barrymore's voice What readers disliked: - Some passages feel rushed or underdeveloped - More focus on celebrity encounters than emotional depth - Questions about how much a 14-year-old can remember - Lack of reflection from adult perspective Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (15,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (200+ ratings) Common reader comment: "Heartbreaking but hopeful - shows both the dark side of child stardom and the strength to overcome it." Several readers note the book's value as a cautionary tale about fame at a young age.

📚 Similar books

Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham This memoir chronicles a young actress's journey through Hollywood, family relationships, and personal struggles during her rise to fame in the entertainment industry.

Home by Julie Andrews The autobiography follows a child performer's path from vaudeville to Hollywood stardom while navigating family dysfunction and the pressures of early fame.

High on Arrival by Mackenzie Phillips This memoir reveals the dark side of growing up in a famous family, dealing with addiction, and surviving trauma in the entertainment industry.

Wildflower by Michelle Rodriguez The book details a former child star's path through the movie industry while wrestling with identity, relationships, and finding purpose beyond Hollywood.

Call Me Crazy by Anne Heche This autobiography documents an actress's complex relationship with her family, mental health challenges, and survival in the entertainment industry.

🤔 Interesting facts

🎬 Drew Barrymore wrote this memoir when she was just 14 years old, making her one of the youngest celebrity authors to publish an autobiography. 💫 The book reveals that Barrymore began going to Studio 54 at age nine and was already struggling with alcohol and drug addiction by age eleven. 📚 Despite her young age when writing, Barrymore worked with a co-author, Todd Gold, who helped her structure and tell her story of childhood stardom and early struggles. 👨‍👧 The memoir details how Barrymore became legally emancipated from her parents at age 14, effectively becoming an adult in the eyes of the law. 🌟 Though the book focuses on dark times, it also chronicles her early acting career, including her breakthrough role in "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" at age seven and her famous lineage as part of the Barrymore acting dynasty.