First published 2013
Carol Burnett opens her heart in this tribute to her daughter Carrie Hamilton, who died at 38 after battling cancer. The memoir traces their relationship from Carrie's teenage drug addiction through her recovery and successful career as an actress, writer, musician, and director. Burnett shares personal diary entries, photographs, and letters that document their journey together. She reveals how they chose honesty over privacy when Carrie struggled with addiction, making their battle public during an era when celebrities kept such troubles hidden. The book follows Carrie's transformation from troubled teenager to accomplished artist who maintained her humor and passion even while fighting aggressive cancer. Burnett shows how Carrie's kindness, unconventional outlook, and quirky sense of humor won over everyone she met. Through intimate details and correspondence, the memoir captures both the struggles and triumphs of raising an extraordinary daughter. This mother's story celebrates Carrie's determined independence and artistic achievements while acknowledging the pain of loss and the power of unconditional love.
Genres: memoir, non-fiction, biography-memoir, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, unconditional-love
224 pages · Hardcover · Simon & Schuster
Content warnings: addiction, death, terminal-illness