Book

Send Yourself Roses

by Kathleen Turner

📖 Overview

Send Yourself Roses is Kathleen Turner's memoir chronicling her life from childhood through her career peak in Hollywood. Turner recounts her early years as a diplomat's daughter living abroad and her path to becoming an actor. The book covers Turner's major film roles and stage performances, including her collaborations with actors like Michael Douglas and William Hurt. She discusses the realities of working in entertainment while managing rheumatoid arthritis and maintaining a family life. Turner shares insights about the film industry of the 1980s and 1990s, addressing topics from on-set dynamics to the business side of Hollywood. Her accounts include experiences on notable films like Body Heat, Romancing the Stone, and War of the Roses. The memoir stands as both a personal narrative and a commentary on fame, resilience, and the evolution of women's roles in American cinema. Turner's direct style presents an unvarnished view of an industry in transition.

👀 Reviews

Readers found Turner's memoir candid and raw in its discussion of her career, relationships, and health struggles with rheumatoid arthritis. Readers appreciated: - Behind-the-scenes stories from films like Body Heat and Romancing the Stone - Details about working with actors like Michael Douglas and William Hurt - Her openness about aging in Hollywood - Writing style that matches her direct personality Common criticisms: - Too much focus on her political activism - Some stories feel embellished or self-congratulatory - Limited coverage of certain major films - Factual errors that led to legal issues with Nicolas Cage Ratings: Goodreads: 3.6/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4/5 (120+ ratings) Sample reader quote: "Turner doesn't hold back - she tells it exactly like she sees it, for better or worse. Sometimes brutally honest, sometimes brutally unfair." - Goodreads reviewer Several readers noted the book reads like a long conversation with Turner herself.

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🤔 Interesting facts

🌹 Kathleen Turner wrote this candid memoir at age 53, discussing her battle with rheumatoid arthritis while continuing to act on stage and screen 🎭 The book's title comes from Turner's practice of buying herself roses rather than waiting for others to do so - a symbol of self-reliance she advocates for all women ⚖️ Nicolas Cage sued Turner and the book's publishers over claims she made about his behavior during the filming of "Peggy Sue Got Married," leading to a public apology and revision of later editions 🎬 Turner reveals she turned down lead roles in "Someone to Watch Over Me" and "Fatal Attraction" - roles that later went to Mimi Rogers and Glenn Close respectively 🎨 The memoir includes Turner's personal photos and behind-the-scenes stories from iconic films like "Body Heat," "Romancing the Stone," and "War of the Roses," providing rare glimpses into Hollywood filmmaking in the 1980s