Finding Karen Black

Summary

A bittersweet story that begins with the delightful discovery of a famous birth mother.

Before film star Karen Black became an icon, she gave up a newborn daughter to adoption. While Karen's career led her to Hollywood fame, her daughter Diane grew up near Chicago. For five decades they knew nothing about each other. Then Illinois opened their sealed adoption records, and Diane sent for her original birth certificate. She was amazed to discover that her birth mother was an iconic actress in the '70s and a cult horror star in the '80s and beyond. Karen starred in prominent films such as Easy Rider, The Great Gatsby, Airport 1975, Burnt Offerings and the TV movie Trilogy of Terror.

This heartfelt memoir takes the listener into Diane's adopted life without her birth mother, and follows Karen and Diane through their one year together as Karen bravely battles cancer. This remarkable story is a testament to the power of the mother-child bond, the importance of our roots, and the belief that love lasts forever.

Award-winning Christina Delaine's exceptional narration captures Karen's vivacious spirit and the story's emotional moments with authenticity.

"This book took me by surprise with emotional timbre, honest emotions, and depth of feeling. Through immersive writing, descriptive narration, and stark imagery, Finding Karen Black expertly weaves a mother-daughter story, unlike anything I've read before." --N. N. Light