Hippie Woman Wild

A Memoir of Life & Love on an Oregon Commune

A not-so-nice Jewish girl, expelled from Yale Drama during the Vietnam protests, abandons her acting dream to follow the man she loves to an off-the-grid commune in Oregon.

At 23, Carol Schlanger was an insecure upper middle class radical. Her parents spoiled her, and she expected the universe to follow. It didn't. After being expelled from Yale, losing a coveted Broadway lead, and seeing a suicide splatter at her feet, she left NYC for the Great Northwest, to live in nature with a man "who made everything beautiful with his hands". At that time she chose love and nature over art and career...until she didn't.

Carol Schlanger put "hidden" cash down on an abandoned homestead - 160 acres. The commune followed - all 13 jammed tight into a broken-down cabin with no phone, no electricity, and no running water. They were dependent on each other for every human need and survival. But then freeloading and free love threatened the hard-won utopia. After struggling through infidelity, rape, and childbirth, all except the father of her child left when Carol refused to share land ownership. When, as a lone wilderness "wife", she accidentally set their house on fire, she realized she couldn't survive in isolation.

Strapping her toddler into a battered old Chevy, she headed to Los Angeles to reclaim her life as a mother, her power as an artist, and her responsibility as an adult. This time her Texan followed her. This is both their love story and a love story for an explosive, mind-altering era.

©2019 Carol Schlanger (P)2020 Blackstone Publishing and Skyboat Media, Inc.

A wonderful human room

Oregon had so many communes in the late 1960s and early 1970s, some of which operate today. This is a wonderful, entertaining and funny romp through some in the early 1970s. Schlanger shares it all, including the challenges and pain. Touched by her dear parents on many levels.

Excellent!

What an interesting, well-written book this was! I was so sorry when it ended. I wanted to go on hearing more and more adventures of Carol and Clint. I am so glad their love has lasted throughout the years. I definitely recommend this book. I can't imagine anyone finding it boring.

Back to the 70s

Interesting look at the life in an Oregon commune. Great to have the author do the narration!

honest and historic

A depiction of life,,, not just hippee life, but a young life evolving. a true story of friendships, love and family... and how you control your own narrative. very honest and a real pleasure. wish there were pictures to go along with it. all the characters interesting. 100% recommend.

the real deal

Great performance by the author. loved her authenticity in presenting herself. Even when I didn't like what she said, I still liked her.
Fascinating to hear about the time and place. I would listen to 20 hours more detail if I could and ask lots of questions.