Making A Miracle Review

Last revised, October 2007

Review and commentary

by Lyndon (Webmaster)

March 2000

Introduction

You know all those situations in life that a mother really does not wish to see her daughter become embroiled in? Well it seems that Hunter Tylo was involved in just about the lot of them. Her first child at 18, the unwanted pregnancy bit (where in the book, the father is not exactly mentioned), a divorce or two (well almost two), public drunkenness and fighting, marriage problems, infidelity and sex games with friends. You name it she has probably done it, and that is just the tip of the good old iceberg! This is a lady who has lived an extremely public life, from her early adult years, and has faced her challenges in the public eye. Hunter has lived through, and achieved in less than 40 years, what most would not experience in two lifetimes.

Fortunately her life has settled down finally since these heady days of drugs, fighting, and the constant pursuit of pleasure (for the sake of it) through sex and alcohol. The one thing that might strike you as a little odd is the fact that she actually remembered everything, after the years of polishing off bottles of J.D. most nights. Remember though she did and the result (her book) is a miracle itself, and not because of the expected memory loss through years of alcohol abuse but because she spent almost two years crying her eyes out from the pain of remembering the past while writing about her life. This probably proved to be more psychologically healing than a series of counseling sessions on the psychologist's couch.

Nevertheless, the criticisms keep on coming, despite the fact that she overcame her past imperfections and despite the current pursuits for the good of society. Those that are more fanatically religious than, some might think, Hunter comes across in her book as being, will probably have her eternally damned for the life she has lived, giving many criticisms fueled by her book. Others call her a publicity seeker and hypocrite, among other less flattering descriptions and names. A look at newsgroups and message boards on the Net since mid February of 2000 will show up any of these criticisms, as unfortunate and ignorant or even well meant as they may be. Writing a book for whatever reason Hunter had, does not seem to set the record straight after all but God bless her because she gave it a bloody damn good try!

The book

If you think "Making A Miracle" is a lesson in the birds and bees, that ultimately resulted in what Hunter calls her miracle child - Izabella - you are actually wrong. I know the title makes it sound like a lesson in creating a baby but hey, it is an autobiography. After the chapter one explanation of how she did it (created her first daughter), in general not explicitly, the book actually becomes her life story thus far - no surprises there. I'm not going to spoil it too much but generally, the book starts with the pregnancy discovery and the immediate effect on her move to Melrose. Thereafter, it becomes the story of her life from the early years, with all the challenges of becoming the person she is today.

This is totally candid discussion of anything and everything. She drops names and tells all about her experiences with private employees, friends, lovers, and big movie stars. She discusses all the little issues she is always getting criticized about, like her weight before and after pregnancy. This also involves candid discussion about her breasts, for example, which critics have said she is obviously proud of. In her defense, I say: why not? If you've got them flaunt them, because there is nothing wrong with a womanly figure.

She was actually discussing their size increase during pregnancy (that is how candid she is) but, as usual, some critics (even soap magazines in 2000) either took it out of context or declared that such discussion about body parts (and monthly cycles) was too much. There are even some (clothed) photos in the book where you will see her in a way you have never quite seen her before. She also shares more of her experiences through pregnancy and her reasons for doing the things she has done in life.

The critics were not too pleased with her mentions of, what they have called her 'obscene', earnings from her work and her lengthy discussions about Christianity (this is where the hypocrite criticisms come from). You will read about all this but you will see similarities to the lives of people you may know and that's the whole idea. So I could go on and on with my commentary but ultimately the chapters of her life take you back to the Melrose situation and the trial and then Katya's situation. That is where the book ends and the criticism begins.

The critics

If you visit the newsgroup 'alt.showbiz.gossip' for example you will find recent discussions about celebrities who seek publicity no matter how unflattering it is. Some have found Hunter's book to be a text book case of this topic, although I bet they have not even read it but are going by what they hear about it. Over the years, there has been much criticism every time she does something or when something tragic happens, because it has been either a publicity stunt or it has been turned into a public spectacle, according to the critics. This book is no different, they are saying.

Now I really do not give a you-know-what as to why she wrote the book. Maybe she did it for publicity and maybe for money and good on her if that is part of it. Maybe though, she is setting the record straight at a time when it needs to be set straight. Who really cares why she wrote it and no one is perfect but Hunter is always criticized, so what does it bloody well take to earn some respect, I ask?

How unfortunate and futile are the lives of those that can't do something constructive for their fellow human being, but are happy to bash someone they, either don't know, like, or care about. No one, including the Hunter bashers, is perfect, but at least some, like Hunter, try to make our society a better place to live in despite the mistakes of their past, which we all have made to varying extents.

Are the Hunter bashers challenging the laws of our land in work place discrimination? Are they trying to raise awareness about a rare cancer? Are they providing financial support, through their own charity, to women in desperate need? Are they juggling these, work, and four kids at the same time? And are they providing millions of people around the world the inspiration to do these and other commendable gestures?

No one, including myself, needs to defend Hunter as she can obviously take care of herself, but what's more important to comment about? Is it the above gestures or is it her reasons for writing the book or even how anorexic she looks and how small her body parts are (compared to the Hunter of years ago), or how hypocritical she may be, or whatever? Which commentary serves our knowledge best? Sure it's a free country but the crap people dish up serves no useful purpose - life is too short to waste picking on people all the time!

The thought before the finale

Although I wondered just how much of 'Making A Miracle' was fiction, because I did not exactly believe a couple parts in some chapters, I am incredibly grateful to Hunter for writing this book, irrespective of her reasons for doing so. It is really a miracle itself because of the tears and pain she experienced in piecing together her life, so that we may understand her a lot better than we did. Very little surprised me in the chapters of this book but it was the little things that I learnt that I enjoyed the most, and it is a fascinating journey from teenager to stardom and near homelessness to winning millions in court.

I am still staggered that she is only a decade my senior, yet she has children ranging in age from an infant to a young man who recently left the family nest (something she comments on in the book). Where have the years gone, folks? It also makes me wonder how her family feels that she has been so candid in exposing intimate details to us, a bunch of strangers that she does not know. I really loved this book, I guess I could say, and I agree with something in the blurb inside the front cover, from which I would like to quote next.

"This is the story of a down-to-earth woman - mother, wife, and friend - whose grace and class in the face of extraordinary challenges are an inspiration. Meet the real Hunter Tylo and get to know a remarkable person."
I could not agree more with this, as those that have read my own (remarkably accurate, it seems) mini-biography, about Hunter, would know. We may not have experienced the same triumphs and tribulations in life as Hunter has, but we can all be inspired by her in some way. Conversely, we can see some similarities between our lives and that of Hunter also. Hunter and I, for example, have both asked God for guidance in life and expressed our desire to help others and be an inspiration to others. I am, perhaps, a little too immature and not ready, currently, and my time will come (all good things come to the patient ones), but for Hunter it has come and she is doing what God had planned for her all along. What a remarkable and inspirational person she is as a result.

Final comment about the book

You may be aware by now that I believe that Hunter Tylo is the most exquisitely beautiful angel who has and who ever will, walk the face of this planet. I certainly am glad I was born at this time (and of the male gender) to experience the inspiration and motivation she provides me with on a daily basis (she is obviously one of my main inspirations in life). Having said this, I do not mean to sound like I worship her like some sort of god because there can be only one true God. However, I do believe that this book could become something of a "bible" of sorts. This is not necessarily because of the religious advice she gives toward the end, but because it will help those of us that love, appreciate, and respect Hunter to cope with life's problems, by reviewing the way she handled situations that we may encounter one day.

Someone who is a Christian from a young age grows to experience the freedom of not having to worry about being exposed to some of the situations Hunter encountered (especially in her teens and twentys). Now that does not mean that there will never be some situations that a Christian will not encounter, hence this book could be reviewed by one when they need comfort, and for learning purposes. My heart aches for Hunter, because unfortunately for her, she had to live these experiences so that we may benefit from how she has handled them (maybe it was all God's plan).

All those success/self-motivation books that some of us have read were possibly a waste of time. This is because 'Making A Miracle' is a success/motivational book itself. It is a very easy read and a fascinating journey and insight into the life of a lady who has lived so much yet has not even turned 40. What a life, what a remarkable miracle this book is, and what a remarkable and inspirational lady. Well done Hunter! I believe the tears and pain you experienced in writing this book were well and truly worth it, whatever your reasons for writing it may have truly been. Ignore the critics who speculate and criticize about why you wrote it and what you wrote in it, and revel in the success of a truly remarkable literary effort!

The end