A Lotus Grows in the Mud [Large Print] [Paperback]

Goldie Hawn (Author), Wendy Holden (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2006

The New York Times bestselling memoir from one of the world's best-loved actresses

In this candid, insightful, and\ unconventional memoir, Goldie Hawn invites us to join her in an inspirational look back at the people, places, and events that have touched her. It is the spiritual journey of a heart in search of enlightenment.

With her trademark effervescence, Goldie delivers a personal look at private and powerful events that carried her through life: her father's spontaneity; her mother's courage; and the joy of being a daughter, a sister, a parent, and a lover. She writes about her childhood dreams of becoming a ballerina. She takes us on a tour of her go-go years in 1960s New York City, the phenomenon of TV's Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, her Oscar-winning debut in Cactus Flower and Hollywood stardom.

She writes intimately about the challenges of love, anger and fear, and the importance of compassion and integrity. She speaks openly about her family, her partner Kurt Russell, her children, her faith, her curiosity for that which she doesn't yet know, and her thirst for knowledge. Most of all, it is a trip back through a life well lived by a woman well loved.

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Looking for the lowdown on lover Kurt Russell? Hot for Hollywood dish? Forget about it. Hawn, the goofy blonde of TV's Laugh-In and the star of Cactus Flower, Private Benjamin and other films, isn't too interested in discussing her career or her love life, although she does chat about her girlhood years. She was slow in school, but her loving parents nurtured her other talents, especially her dancing. Breaking into show business in the 1960s, when women still had to deal with the casting couch, was tough-Hawn gives graphic detail on cartoonist Al Capp's lechery. But she loves men anyway, feeling sorry that they have all those "hormones raging through their blood like a drug." What she really wants to share with readers is her attitude toward life, which boils down to flower power minus the drugs. A spiritual traveler (tourist, some would say), Hawn embraces all people of faith and makes a point of finding a "spiritual teacher" whenever she visits a "holy city." India is a special love: "People live their lives on the street.... Everybody shares." Hawn's a big supporter of Operation Smile, which offers reconstructive surgery to youngsters in less-developed counties. Indeed, readers learn more about the various orphan boys (Hopi, Asian, Peruvian) Hawn has looked after than about her own children. Her handsomely produced volume, including two photo inserts, positively overflows with spiritual enlightenment.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Goldie Hawn is the founder of the Hawn Foundation as well as an international children’s advocate and enthusiastic campaigner for the mindful celebration of life. An Academy Award–winning actress, producer, and director, she is also a mother and grandmother. Her bestselling autobiography, A Lotus Grows in the Mud, was published in 2005.

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 703 pages
• Publisher: Large Print Distribution (August 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594131449
• ISBN-13: 978-1594131448
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,893,108 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A riveting bio from a goofy (and gutsy) woman, May 2, 2005

By 

K. Corn "reviewer" (midwest, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

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This review is from: Goldie: A Lotus Grows in the Mud (Hardcover)

Ah, Goldie, gotta love her! I grew up watching Goldie Hawn on Laugh-in and then in movies- everything from Butterflies are Free (where her hippie, dippy side got to cut loose) to Private Benjamin.
All along, she seemed both funny and gutsy but what REALLY got me to buy this book was a television profile where Goldie spoke of a long battle with depression and insecurity. Her longtime companion, Kurt Russell, and their children (some from previous marriages) also appeared and I realized that there might be more depth and complexity to this woman than I got from the fleeting images on screen.
Thankfully, I was right. This book was a joy to read, revealing the depth, intellect and pure gutsiness that Goldie Hawn possesses. She was brave enough to reveal the insecurities and pain that she felt during some of her early years in show biz as well as the joy she felt as she discovered Buddhism, met Russell, gave birth to her children - and so much more. Written with a unique style (would you expect anything else from Hawn?) the reader will find both entertainment and inspiration within this one.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pleasant to ponder, May 26, 2005

By 

Sarakani (Harrow United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Goldie: A Lotus Grows in the Mud (Hardcover)

The cover is nice. Some pages are blue or purple with very attractive motifs and graphics inside. Nice pictures too of Goldie at work, rest and play including snapshots of her children and partner Kurt Russell.

The content is only losely biographic. This is more Goldie Hawn's philosophy of life through the window of her journeys and successes in the movie industry. Co-authored with another. It reads very well.

Little subchapters called "Postcards" capturing experiences. There are also poems and thoughts: "Is our smile coded for in our DNA or is it nurtured?" (paraphrased). In this sense the book has some fine quotations.

As a woman who represents openness and seems to be something of a spiritual student this book is great for exploring themes on happiness, relationships, death and being human. Designed to bring out the best in anybody.

This book and its sentiments represent a fantastic contribution to genuinely making the world a better place - not by throwing money at problems but by being well inside.

I liked reading it - ideal as a gift or to dip into though not to be read from cover to cover necessarily. Really well edited - not much gossip, thankfully.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Moving .. Insightful .. Outstanding, May 7, 2005

By 

Cindy J. Schreiber (Thousand Oaks, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Goldie: A Lotus Grows in the Mud (Hardcover)

The book will draw just because it's written by Goldie Hawn. And then you readers will be unconventionally and pleasantly taken ... moved actually ... by the weaving of the stories with the lessons gleaned from her experiences and what they mean to her, deep down, in her heart, her gut. Regardless of being written by a famous woman or not, there is a lot to be learned here. If you are on any path in life to learn ... whatever it is you are desiring to learn ... this woman will be your gentle guide. Enjoy the read ... and all the best to Goldie Hawn.