Drew Barrymore: The Biography

A glib account of the tumultuous life of this child star turned Hollywood A-lister, Ellis and Sutherland's slapdash biography devotes more space to photo credits than to bibliography. And those photos, revealing changes in Barrymore's weight, appearance and demeanor, suggest a complicated story of the Charlie's Angels star's journey. Her E.T. fame at age seven led to a drug-filled adolescence, a rebirth as a teen sex symbol and an eventual maturation as a film actress. But the biography itself--one of a few about the under-30 actress--is a retread of secondary-source quotes, many from Barrymore's teenage autobiography, Little Girl Lost. A fifth-generation actress--and alcoholic--from the distinguished Drew and Barrymore acting families, she was raised by an actress mother (without dad John Drew Barrymore) who partied with her young daughter at Hollywood nightspots. In rehab at 13, Barrymore revitalized her career, but her personal life has been filled with a string of boyfriends and two brief marriages--including a memorable one to zany comedian Tom Green. Barrymore's quotes, about topics ranging from her bisexuality to her spirituality, are interspersed with some wry observations and show her interesting mix of worldliness and immaturity. But too many sound like they came from quickie movie-promotion interviews, as she gushes over costars, directors and lovers. Attempts to spice up the book with overwrought writing look silly. The fact that 12-year-old Barrymore bought drugs from a dealer is described as""so far beyond sordid it's almost unimaginable,"" and her settling for a rose tattoo when she wanted daisies is a""fiasco."" Only devoted""Drewbies"" will find stuff to phone home about. 16 pages of color photos.