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Hippie Chick: Coming of Age in the ’60s
In Hippie Chick, a rebellious teenager finds her mother dead in the bathroom. To save her from living alone with a difficult father, her older sister sends her a one-way plane ticket to leave New Jersey. Landing in San Francisco, she is thrust into a lifestyle way beyond what she is ready for, and that challenges all previous notions of how one behaves. It is 1963, and we are brought along as Ilene becomes immersed in the unfolding of the '60s during the earliest days of sexual freedom, psychedelic drugs, the jazz scene, and rock ’n’ roll.
This is a deeply personal story of how one young woman managed to survive and even to thrive in the face of the whirlwind of experiences coming at her. It is filled with a rich tapestry of moments that run the gamut from the sublime to the ridiculous, and everything in between.
This is a deeply personal story of how one young woman managed to survive and even to thrive in the face of the whirlwind of experiences coming at her. It is filled with a rich tapestry of moments that run the gamut from the sublime to the ridiculous, and everything in between.
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Published June 23, 2022
62 people are currently reading
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About the author
Ilene English
31 followersBorn and raised in Irvington, New Jersey, Ilene was the youngest of six, a tag end kid raised in the middle of a shopping cente, as her father refused to sell the family home to developers. Because her mother was seriously ill most of her childhood, Ilene was something of a lost child. But in spite of this, she was a free spirit, smart, cute, awake and creative, her life fueled by an innate sense of optimism and determination.
Ilene was an early psychedelic pioneer, experimenting with LSD during a time when it was still legal, its effects not yet fully comprehended. During the early sixties, she along with an entire community of fellow trippers, innocently thought that they could change the world into one that valued love over materialism, particularly though the use of psychedelic drugs.
Years later, Ilene is now a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. She helps people reunite with their innate wisdom, so they can experience more of the love, connection and happiness that she believes is every human’s birthright. She helps people develop a deep knowing of who they are and what they stand for.
This, her first book, is her discovery about herself and life, and her journey to become who she is today. She is happy to connect with readers. You can email her at ilene@hippiechickmemoir.com. https://hippiechickmemoir.com
Ilene was an early psychedelic pioneer, experimenting with LSD during a time when it was still legal, its effects not yet fully comprehended. During the early sixties, she along with an entire community of fellow trippers, innocently thought that they could change the world into one that valued love over materialism, particularly though the use of psychedelic drugs.
Years later, Ilene is now a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. She helps people reunite with their innate wisdom, so they can experience more of the love, connection and happiness that she believes is every human’s birthright. She helps people develop a deep knowing of who they are and what they stand for.
This, her first book, is her discovery about herself and life, and her journey to become who she is today. She is happy to connect with readers. You can email her at ilene@hippiechickmemoir.com. https://hippiechickmemoir.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
August 17, 2019
This was pretty different as you follow Ilene, who is the youngest of six kids and the last to leave home in New Jersey. Her mother died when she was sixteen, and while she loves her father, she wants out of the house as he is difficult and temperamental. When her sister Carole provides her with a plane ticket to California she finally has her way out and joins her and her lawyer husband there. She starts growing up rather quickly from this point though she is still naive to the ways of men. Her life will become quite bohemian in short order without even trying. Things get even crazier as it goes along, and Ilene seems to land in one jam after another with Carole and/or her hubby coming to her rescue in her younger years. Not only is she a hippie chick with a love for marijuana and the occasional LSD trip; but she seems to become a vagabond too, moving more than anyone I’ve ever heard of that wasn’t military.
This is certainly a read from the times, a memoir of Ilene’s different circumstances back during the 1960s as she traveled the US and Hawaii trying to figure out where she belonged. I’d recommend for more adventurous memoir readers, and those who like coming of age stories in the 60s & 70s. Advance electronic review copy was provided by NetGalley, author Ilene English, and the publisher.
First published on my WordPress blog:
https://wordpress.com/post/bookblog20...
This is certainly a read from the times, a memoir of Ilene’s different circumstances back during the 1960s as she traveled the US and Hawaii trying to figure out where she belonged. I’d recommend for more adventurous memoir readers, and those who like coming of age stories in the 60s & 70s. Advance electronic review copy was provided by NetGalley, author Ilene English, and the publisher.
First published on my WordPress blog:
https://wordpress.com/post/bookblog20...
June 28, 2019
With the recent rash of best sellers focusing on coming of age in the sixties, I was attracted to Hippie Chick as a non fiction book.
Ilene English was born in Irvington, New Jersey, the "baby" in a family of six children, with only one brother, David, her immediate senior. Her father struggled to support his large family, and her mother suffered from prolonged illness throughout most of Ilene's childhood. Although the family was Jewish, they were mostly non practicing. In high school, her exhausted mom encouraged Ilene to take up secretarial skills - explaining to ilene that these skills could always be handy if you are in a pinch and need a job fast! Ilene treasured her brother, although as kids he never treated her kindly. Her sister Carol turned out to be her saviour, and although Carol married and left home, she never forgot about Ilene. When Ilene finished high school she left Irvington, New Jersey, to join Carol and her husband David in San Francisco, and thus her "Hippie Chick" life began. That life took her from San Fran to "island hopping" in Hawaii, to the Pacific North West, to "The Farm" in Tennessee, to Eugene Oregon (#thesaturdaymarket), and finally, back to San Francisco years later. Ilene describes what it was like to come of age through the 60's, 70's and 80's as a hippie, and as a woman, and it was not easy. She craved the feeling of being connected to a man, to be in a marriage, and to have a baby, which actually did finally happen for her, although that marriage did not last. Ilene successfully becomes a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California, opens her own stained glass studio, and most importantly, is a grandmother now.
I loved travelling back in time with Ilene and experiencing her hippie existence vicariously through her experiences. It was truly eye opening. I also love the cover of the book! Thank you for sharing your experiences in #hippiechick, and thank you #netgalley for allowing me to read this e-ARC. 5 stars!
Ilene English was born in Irvington, New Jersey, the "baby" in a family of six children, with only one brother, David, her immediate senior. Her father struggled to support his large family, and her mother suffered from prolonged illness throughout most of Ilene's childhood. Although the family was Jewish, they were mostly non practicing. In high school, her exhausted mom encouraged Ilene to take up secretarial skills - explaining to ilene that these skills could always be handy if you are in a pinch and need a job fast! Ilene treasured her brother, although as kids he never treated her kindly. Her sister Carol turned out to be her saviour, and although Carol married and left home, she never forgot about Ilene. When Ilene finished high school she left Irvington, New Jersey, to join Carol and her husband David in San Francisco, and thus her "Hippie Chick" life began. That life took her from San Fran to "island hopping" in Hawaii, to the Pacific North West, to "The Farm" in Tennessee, to Eugene Oregon (#thesaturdaymarket), and finally, back to San Francisco years later. Ilene describes what it was like to come of age through the 60's, 70's and 80's as a hippie, and as a woman, and it was not easy. She craved the feeling of being connected to a man, to be in a marriage, and to have a baby, which actually did finally happen for her, although that marriage did not last. Ilene successfully becomes a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California, opens her own stained glass studio, and most importantly, is a grandmother now.
I loved travelling back in time with Ilene and experiencing her hippie existence vicariously through her experiences. It was truly eye opening. I also love the cover of the book! Thank you for sharing your experiences in #hippiechick, and thank you #netgalley for allowing me to read this e-ARC. 5 stars!
August 15, 2019
The magic in "Hippie Chick: Coming of Age in the '60s" by Ilene English begins with Chapter 9, which is about the author's recollections of Dr. Fariborz Amini, a Freudian analyst English started seeing when she was 19 years old.
She saw Amini for three months and used her sessions to tell real-life high school stories, including the times she and a friend shoplifted department store clothes.
The magic I mentioned is the moment I know my interest is captured. I got so caught up with Amini, I was motivated to use Google as my gateway to find out more him and I know will do the same with the many other people English wrote about.
Of course, along with my Amini internet search, I was eager to find out more about English and whether she is on social media. She is. Yes. So I became a Twitter follower because I am a fan of "Hippie Chick."
There's so much more to tell about Chapter 9, the most memorable chapter in the book, but I'll leave it at that. I'm not here to give a "Hippie Chick" summary. I'm here to recommend "Hippie Chick."
Many thanks to She Writes Press and NetGalley for the ARC.
October 16, 2022
I love this book! It really puts you right back there in the '60s and onward. Ilene has had a remarkable life. As a young woman, she found herself in the middle of several movements/subcultures. She also had several heartbreaking family events, and managed to pull herself through. The book is a chronicle of the times and places, and her personal stories are fascinating, tragic, and hilarious in turn. The writing is excellent and well organized. Very fun to read!
Disclaimer: Ilene is a personal friend. And I've experienced some of the same times and places, and enjoy seeing her viewpoint on them.
Disclaimer: Ilene is a personal friend. And I've experienced some of the same times and places, and enjoy seeing her viewpoint on them.
February 22, 2020
Ilene English's account of her experiences in the '60s, '70s, and '80s was a wonderful trip down memory lane. It brought back, for me, many groovy recollections of those amazing times. Not enough women's stories of that era have been told. I loved it.
November 14, 2019
HIPPIE CHICK REVIEW
“The right way to wholeness is filled with fateful detours and wrong turnings.”
CG JUNG
Jung, of course, died long before Ilene English wrote her autobiography. But his famous quote captures the essence of her struggle to become a wise adult.
“Hippie Chick” includes lots of 60’s sex, drugs, jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, and ups-and-down (with graphic details). Not that the author intentionally planned her life that way (who does?) -- but much of her life from 17 onward consisted of sometimes tragic, sometimes bewildering, sometimes hilarious wrong turnings and fateful detours – often propelled by impulsive choices with painful consequences.
Ultimately, “Hippie Chick” is an inspiring, ruthlessly honest, roller-coaster-account of tumultuous growth -- how Ilene’s psychological realizations and insights over the years catalyzed the evolution of her consciousness from naïve to wise.
“The right way to wholeness is filled with fateful detours and wrong turnings.”
CG JUNG
Jung, of course, died long before Ilene English wrote her autobiography. But his famous quote captures the essence of her struggle to become a wise adult.
“Hippie Chick” includes lots of 60’s sex, drugs, jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, and ups-and-down (with graphic details). Not that the author intentionally planned her life that way (who does?) -- but much of her life from 17 onward consisted of sometimes tragic, sometimes bewildering, sometimes hilarious wrong turnings and fateful detours – often propelled by impulsive choices with painful consequences.
Ultimately, “Hippie Chick” is an inspiring, ruthlessly honest, roller-coaster-account of tumultuous growth -- how Ilene’s psychological realizations and insights over the years catalyzed the evolution of her consciousness from naïve to wise.
August 18, 2021
What I loved best about “Hippie Chick” is how it vividly recalls the exuberant energy of the Sixties era, when all things seemed possible and as Ilene English writes, envisioning a future of “peace, love and understanding” did not seem naïve. How glorious it felt to be young then.
In fine, clear prose, English captures that heady feeling of freedom that swept her from one adventure to the next. Her story gains depth and power through her honest accounts of her mistakes and oft-broken relationships, through which she learns the hard lessons required to achieve the balance and wisdom essential to true adult freedom. I cheered for her as she at last learned to value herself and find her way to good work. I eagerly turned the pages, excited to read of yet another turn in her eventful life (wow, now she’s living on a beach in Hawaii?!).
Great story, satisfying read, highly recommended.
In fine, clear prose, English captures that heady feeling of freedom that swept her from one adventure to the next. Her story gains depth and power through her honest accounts of her mistakes and oft-broken relationships, through which she learns the hard lessons required to achieve the balance and wisdom essential to true adult freedom. I cheered for her as she at last learned to value herself and find her way to good work. I eagerly turned the pages, excited to read of yet another turn in her eventful life (wow, now she’s living on a beach in Hawaii?!).
Great story, satisfying read, highly recommended.
November 24, 2019
This is a fascinating, exceptionally well-written and great, quick read. In fact, the bulk of the book--from when Ilene gets to San Francisco until her daughter is born--is impossible to put down. It's a cautionary tale for me. A number of years later, as I was getting on campus and into the anti-war politics of the time, we looked to the Haight-Ashbury "pioneers" as the authentic hippies (in my word we said "freaks"), deeply into the sex, drugs and rock and roll of the time. This book tells that story--what would or could have happened if one of us had broken loose, dropped out of school and hitched to the nirvana of California. It seems it was everything we were warned about, ha! And challenging, though fun and fulfilling. Thanks for taking the plunge for me, Ilene.
March 25, 2020
I currently read about one book a week, and this was the most enjoyable, incredible, and interesting read I have had this year! Ilene English lays out her life, both the good times and the gut wrenching hard times for all of us to feel and see through her eyes. I felt at times her writing style brought me right along her side as she explains in great detail what it was like to grow up amidst the height of the 1960’s era. She was at that time, a part of living history by being in San Francisco as a young person in the 60’s, then Hawaii and Oregon in the later years. I loved it all. Thank you for being honest to your readers and letting us that did not experience that era feel like we were a part of it.
I highly recommend this book.
I highly recommend this book.
January 28, 2020
The author lived through challenging times. She left home as a teen, grew up during the psychedelic era and experimented widely with drugs, sex, rock 'n roll, and alternative communities (The Farm in TN, Haight Ashbury in SF, and hip communities of Eugene, OR). English's memoir reads like a vintage guidebook to places, emotions, and political realities that have shaped contemporary culture. A beautifully crafted, revealing story. Themes include: coming-of-age, psychedelics, free love, single parenthood, communal living, counterculture, resistance, alternative family structure, friendship.
October 31, 2019
This is a book that will stand the test of time because it's a slice of history that will always be interesting. Especially with such an honest and compelling narration.
February 8, 2021
A brave memoir told with searing honesty. If you're curious about the wild 60s, Ilene's story won't disappoint.
January 5, 2021
Do you want to read about a person who has made bad choices? Well this is the book for you! Some of the things the author did and the roads she traveled were jaw-droppingly bizarre. She carried on with the hippie life long after it was cool. I'm glad things worked out for her but page after page of whining and screwing up her own life got quite tiresome. Three stars for the 60s.
June 14, 2023
Coming of age books based in the 60s-80s will always be some of my favorites to read. This one was no exception. I'll forever be intrigued by the way people helped each other and were a part of a community back then. These people seemed to always be on the move and never seemed to have a care in the world. This could be because of drugs or just their carefree nature but it never ceases to capture my curiosity.
"In Hippie Chick , a rebellious teenager finds her mother dead in the bathroom. To save her from living alone with a difficult father, her older sister sends her a one-way plane ticket to leave New Jersey. Landing in San Francisco, she is thrust into a lifestyle way beyond what she is ready for, and that challenges all previous notions of how one behaves. It is 1963, and we are brought along as Ilene becomes immersed in the unfolding of the sixties during the earliest days of sexual freedom, psychedelic drugs, the jazz scene, and rock ’n’ roll. This is a deeply personal story of how one young woman manages to survive and even to thrive in the face of the whirlwind of experiences coming at her. It is filled with a rich tapestry of moments that run the gamut from the sublime to the ridiculous, and everything in between."-Goodreads
"In Hippie Chick , a rebellious teenager finds her mother dead in the bathroom. To save her from living alone with a difficult father, her older sister sends her a one-way plane ticket to leave New Jersey. Landing in San Francisco, she is thrust into a lifestyle way beyond what she is ready for, and that challenges all previous notions of how one behaves. It is 1963, and we are brought along as Ilene becomes immersed in the unfolding of the sixties during the earliest days of sexual freedom, psychedelic drugs, the jazz scene, and rock ’n’ roll. This is a deeply personal story of how one young woman manages to survive and even to thrive in the face of the whirlwind of experiences coming at her. It is filled with a rich tapestry of moments that run the gamut from the sublime to the ridiculous, and everything in between."-Goodreads
July 29, 2019
English's life story is an interesting one - often tragic, often fun, usually fueled by poor decisions (both her own and those of people around her). As she describes all of the people moving in and out of her life (especially the guys), the rampant narcissism and selfishness in the name of "peace and love" is hard to stomach. If anyone is still viewing "the counterculture" through rose-colored glasses, this book is a necessary rude awakening. I was relieved when English named these problems, and dove a little bit into the why and the ripple effect of the consequences (though I wish there was more of that).
The writing was a little bit stilted and could've used more polishing, and in places English still comes off as that aimless, naive girl with stars in her eyes. But overall this held my attention well and was an engrossing look behind the curtain of the idolized 1960s.
The writing was a little bit stilted and could've used more polishing, and in places English still comes off as that aimless, naive girl with stars in her eyes. But overall this held my attention well and was an engrossing look behind the curtain of the idolized 1960s.
January 22, 2023
This is the memoir of a hippie in the 60s. Ilene describes her travels crisscrossing the United States including Hawaii and brief stays at The Farm, a communal living experience, taking psychedelic drugs, and her many friendships and relationships, which were hard to keep track of. Ilene made some bad choices that bothered me such as giving away the dog when her boyfriend demands it and not fighting to keep her promise to her dying sister. But she was young and revolved her life around men as many young women did and still do. I love her adventurous and open spirit. All the opportunities she managed to fall into seem unbelievable for someone so directionless. I’m disappointed that there was a stock photo instead of a photo of the author on the cover. I like that she summed up what happened to everyone in the epilogue.
June 26, 2022
How strange it felt adding "historical" to the shelves, since I could have written my own coming-of-age story alongside this one. What a life!
Written well enough to keep me entertained and reading, part new visitation, part down the familiar path of memory. Kuddos to the author for "telling it like it was."
As typical of many memoirs, this was mainly narrative with enough dialogue to be engaging, but lacked emotion in the telling. I never knew how the author truly felt about what was happening to her, or how she was being changed. It was as though I was being told the story from a reporter's viewpoint. Though the author was candid in the telling of "what" happened, I felt I was never inside her head as to how it affected her, personally, at the time. This is why I gave this memoir three stars.
Written well enough to keep me entertained and reading, part new visitation, part down the familiar path of memory. Kuddos to the author for "telling it like it was."
As typical of many memoirs, this was mainly narrative with enough dialogue to be engaging, but lacked emotion in the telling. I never knew how the author truly felt about what was happening to her, or how she was being changed. It was as though I was being told the story from a reporter's viewpoint. Though the author was candid in the telling of "what" happened, I felt I was never inside her head as to how it affected her, personally, at the time. This is why I gave this memoir three stars.
March 4, 2023
I don't have much to say about this book. It was an enjoyable read that proves everyone has a book in them. I think a lot of people will enjoy Ilene's story, but then again I think a lot of people will wonder why she did some of the things she did. Of course, that is probably true any time we read the story of someone's life that doesn't have our shared experiences. They would probably read our story much the same way.
I appreciate the fact that Ilene is using her life experiences, and the different relationships she was in to help others as a marriage and family therapist now. She definitely had some interesting encounters with others. I'm sure that helps her in her practice. Overall this is a good book, an easy read, and lots of people will appreciate her story. I think those who group up in the hippie movement of the 60s especially will.
I appreciate the fact that Ilene is using her life experiences, and the different relationships she was in to help others as a marriage and family therapist now. She definitely had some interesting encounters with others. I'm sure that helps her in her practice. Overall this is a good book, an easy read, and lots of people will appreciate her story. I think those who group up in the hippie movement of the 60s especially will.
May 31, 2019
Hippie Chick by Ilene English is a great memoir and autobiography focussing on the author herself growing up (albeit way too fast) in the 60s.
Reading about her trials and difficulties in trying to find out who she is and where she belongs, and the honest mistakes and heartbreaking losses she experiences on that road to get to that destination, are touching and sometimes very hard to read. You want to be able to travel back in time to help, but seeing your own adolescence and young adulthood in her, you realize she has to (and will) find her way on her own.
A touching read. 5/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and She Writes Press for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review.
Reading about her trials and difficulties in trying to find out who she is and where she belongs, and the honest mistakes and heartbreaking losses she experiences on that road to get to that destination, are touching and sometimes very hard to read. You want to be able to travel back in time to help, but seeing your own adolescence and young adulthood in her, you realize she has to (and will) find her way on her own.
A touching read. 5/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and She Writes Press for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review.
August 6, 2019
Ilene English definitely lived the quintessential hippie life. The youngest of six, Ilene had a childhood that left her with many voids. She was closest to,her sister Carole who threw her numerous lifelines. English moved out to California and lived in the center of the counter culture movement. She had a propensity for tempestuous relationships and experimented with drugs and New Age spiritualism. She moved around from Hawaii to Oregon, always looking for acceptance, contentment, and love. I think most of the first four decades of her life she was seeking, but never finding. I liked the author's epilogue as she follows through with updates on the major influences in her life. A good read for anyone who wonders what being a hippie was all about. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance read.
October 29, 2023
Listening to the audiobook narrated by the author, I felt like I was listening to someone telling the story of her early years. Ms. English suffered loss early in her life, but kept on. She took us through the early sixties in San Francisco where jazz was all the rage to the later San Francisco hippie days. Moving back-and-forth between California, Hawaii, Oregon, and The Farm in Tennessee for a short while, through a series of relationships where what the man wanted prevailed. But in Oregon, Ms. English found some thing that she was very good at and carried on those skills. She emerged as a feminist, and as Oscar Wilde wrote, she entered into a love relationship with herself.
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June 28, 2020I loved this book! I have known the author well for close to half a century and learned things about her in this work that I never knew. It was a very interesting tale, indeed, and kept me occupied nonstop until its completion. Having traveled a similar path through the 60s myself, I was able to relate to a lot of the experiences she chronicled. I know that she struggled, not only in her private life, but in putting this autobiographical piece together. I would highly recommend it to anyone who survived the 60s and enjoys a good story.
May 6, 2023
For myself, the sign of a good book is that I think about it after I read it. I've been thinking about this book since I put it down. It is intimate and wonderfully hopeful. It reminded me that one does not need to have a perfect life to have a vibrant beautiful life.
The flaws, failures, and triumphs set to the backdrop of the 60s, 70s , and 80s transported me inside Ilene's world. What a journey to take with her! I mean eating cake with Janis Joplin is no less important than the skills she hones with stain glass.
The flaws, failures, and triumphs set to the backdrop of the 60s, 70s , and 80s transported me inside Ilene's world. What a journey to take with her! I mean eating cake with Janis Joplin is no less important than the skills she hones with stain glass.
November 14, 2019
I loved Hippie Chick for its honesty. It's a very compelling story. One thing that stood out for me was the fact that English depicts herself as a free spirit and a person not afraid to experiment (with drugs, for example) -- but when it comes to mothering, she is instinctively brilliant at being present and solid for her child. This was very moving to me. Hippie Chick is a terrific ride and I highly recommend it.
February 27, 2020
I thought this book was brave and perky and made me feel a great affection for the author, Ilene. Her journey of becoming was one I could clearly identify with. She covered a lot of territory in her life and there were times when I wanted her to slow down and stay with certain parts of her adventure, but nonetheless, I have to say “hooray” to this writer for her perseverance and the affection she manifested for her quirky journey!
June 28, 2019
Wow, just wow. Such a great story of a jewish girl from New Jersey experiencing lifes struggles. I throughly enjoyed reading about her hippie experiences and travels. A truly great read, I couldn't put this book down. Really shows how other generations struggle just as much but also how much times have changed. Enlightening and eye opening.
February 20, 2020
I found this book to be a very interesting, humorous and insightful book in a time when so much change was in motion. I enjoyed Irene English's candor and perspective on her life experiences. More than once I was touched inside and felt a kindred spirit. This was an excellent read for me and one I will recommend.
July 31, 2021
What a delightful book! The author squeezed the juice out of every advantage she was given, whether it was a leg up from her sister, or her own innate optimism and resilience. This generous, affectionate, and tolerant woman traveled through a rich and vibrant life while uncannily placing herself at the very core of key social movements of the 20th century.
January 18, 2024
To me this book captures Ilene’s life dealing with so much tragedy and change while trying find out who she is.
Thank you for also updating on people’s life now!!! Also has pictures who doesn’t love a picture book lol
Thank you for also updating on people’s life now!!! Also has pictures who doesn’t love a picture book lol
July 31, 2019
OMG this book was great!! The very vibrant story within the pages will catch and hold you till the end. You find yourself reading every word for details and the ability to paint a mental canvas.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews