Featured books

Featured Websites

.: Reader Views Kids

Reader Views Kids provides book reviews, by kids, for kids.

.: Inside Scoop Live

Inside Scoop Live provides live author interviews.

.: Authors Access

Authors Access provides interviews with experts in the publishing industry

.: Midwest Book Review

Post-publication reviews

.: Reader Views

Pre-publication and post-publication book reviews and author publicity

.: Pantheon Design

Professional website design

reviews

Send Yourself Roses: Thoughts on My Life, Love, and Leading Roles

Kathleen Turner, in collaboration with Gloria Feldt
Springboard Press (2008)
ISBN 9780446581127
Reviewed by Audrey Larson for Rebeccas Reads (2/08)

Kathleen Turner writes an interesting book about her life, stage roles, movies and activism.  There are eight pages of photos, also. Ms. Turner goes into great detail about her roles, the productions, co-actors, etc.  There are a few anecdotes about famous people, including Michael Douglas.  She also tells how she became so angry with Sen. Strom Thurmond for addressing her as “little lady,” and “little lady, honey,” that someone had to grab her arm and restrain her from socking him!  One can just picture the elderly, southern gentleman from the deep-south, face-to-face with the strong feminist woman--each with widely differing viewpoints.

Her father’s diplomatic service abroad widened her horizons from an early age, and his sudden death while she was still a teenager impacted her life greatly.  Like her father, she believes in public service, giving something back, and activism; standing up for causes she believes in.  Living in other countries with very differing cultures, Ms. Turner learned diplomacy right from childhood. 

Those of us who have lived and traveled in other countries understand how Americans are perceived and treated in other parts of the world.  We also understand, like Ms. Turner, how very educational and broadening this can be.

Ms. Turner’s grandfather gave her a phrase that she has used throughout her life:  “Well, you just have to, don’t you?”  It has become a motto and standard for her life, and gets her through some difficult times.

When she developed Rheumatoid Arthritis, life became almost unbearable, with the pain, swelling and loss of mobility for some time.  Finding the right medication and treatment for the Rheumatoid Arthritis was not easy, nor quick.  She also had to face her serious drinking problem, and later separation from her husband of many years.  As a mother of one child, a young daughter, Ms. Turner also must juggle her time and responsibilities to give her child enough attention and nurturing.

A tragic fire at one of her husband’s properties killed over 80 people and devastated him.  She had to support him, deal with the press hounding them, and try to shield and protect her child at the same time.  It was a time of just doing what she had to do, as her grandfather taught her. Living in New York City, she enjoys doing her own shopping, walking around town, eating at her favorite restaurants, and the friendliness of the people toward her.  She enjoys being told she is a “regular person.”

Ms. Turner has a healthy ego, a strong belief in her self, firm beliefs and opinions, and does not hesitate to voice them.  She also has learned to reward herself when a play or movie ends, with massages and personal pampering, and will take adequate time off to recoup before starting another project.  Rewarding your self and being good to yourself are things everyone should do.  Sometimes it’s the littlest things that make us smile and brighten our spirits, as Ms. Turner learned long ago.

Readers learn from “Send Yourself Roses: Thoughts on My Life, Love, and Leading Roles” that Kathleen Turner knows herself well, does what she must (remembering her grandfather's advice), and life goes forward for her, always.  She has learned to reward and treat herself when she needs it.  And she does, indeed, send herself roses.

.: Blog