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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
Tried to read the book. Painfully got through about five chapters thinking there had to be a reason this book got good reviews. There's not. You would think that alcoholism would be a little more interesting.
I wanted to read this book after reading "Let's Take the Long Way Home" by Gail Caldwell which is a memoir of her friendship with Caroline. Gail and Caroline befriended one another in mid-life over their shared interests in dogs and literature. Only once they'd known each other awhile did they both realize they shared being recovering alcoholics.
Tragically, after her long battle with alcoholism, Caroline succumbs to lung cancer in her early 40s; but of course, she didn't know this is what she would die of when she wrote this book.
I found her story very candid and real and it made me question my own drinking habits.
Tragically, after her long battle with alcoholism, Caroline succumbs to lung cancer in her early 40s; but of course, she didn't know this is what she would die of when she wrote this book.
I found her story very candid and real and it made me question my own drinking habits.
This memoir is somber and raw. Knapp writes about her lifelong struggle with alcohol, specifically her addiction in her 20s and 30s, and her recovery. This was a bestseller in the late 90s, with Knapp passing away a few years later from health issues (in her early 40s). I learned a lot about how some alcoholics can function at work and the outside world without issue and lead a double life.
Knapp did two things here that I find a lot of memoirs are missing. First, she didn't write this until she was actually "on the other side" of her addiction. I read a lot of accounts of personal struggles by authors who seem to have just realized they have an issue and are using the writing process to get through it. Cathartic perhaps, but not good for readers. Knapp has a deep and detailed understanding of what she went through, and can explain each and every thought that kept her ill and addicted. It was fascinating.
The other thing she did right? Take responsibility. Knapp had many reasons to turn to the bottle, including losing both of her parents in the span of a year while relatively young. Despite this, she does not use her tragedies to excuse her horrible behavior. She puts 100% of the blame on herself and her lack of certain abilities to deal and process. It was just so honest and admirable. I wish people IRL and on page could be more like her.
Knapp did two things here that I find a lot of memoirs are missing. First, she didn't write this until she was actually "on the other side" of her addiction. I read a lot of accounts of personal struggles by authors who seem to have just realized they have an issue and are using the writing process to get through it. Cathartic perhaps, but not good for readers. Knapp has a deep and detailed understanding of what she went through, and can explain each and every thought that kept her ill and addicted. It was fascinating.
The other thing she did right? Take responsibility. Knapp had many reasons to turn to the bottle, including losing both of her parents in the span of a year while relatively young. Despite this, she does not use her tragedies to excuse her horrible behavior. She puts 100% of the blame on herself and her lack of certain abilities to deal and process. It was just so honest and admirable. I wish people IRL and on page could be more like her.
I devoured this book. I read it in 3 days and I couldn't put it down, and I couldn't stop thinking about it for days after, even when I had started reading other books.
What struck me most was the author's unflinching and clear prose. The language never got in the way of the story, and it was told with such honesty, reflection and introspection that it honestly took my breath away - but in retrospect. I was too engrossed in the actual story to even ponder the style of prose. Which, I think, is a huge testament to Caroline Knapp's mastery of the craft.
An incredibly told story, made all the more bittersweet by her premature death. Ugh. What a book.
What struck me most was the author's unflinching and clear prose. The language never got in the way of the story, and it was told with such honesty, reflection and introspection that it honestly took my breath away - but in retrospect. I was too engrossed in the actual story to even ponder the style of prose. Which, I think, is a huge testament to Caroline Knapp's mastery of the craft.
An incredibly told story, made all the more bittersweet by her premature death. Ugh. What a book.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Well written and insightful, the middle drags a bit (I was desperate for her to get into recovery) but I think in an effective way where you can really feel how long the painful the process was for her.