Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
Read this on my mom's old iPad... on her kindle app. This was OK. Felt very go ask Alice or after school special too many times. Also, Allison's husband is an ass.
challenging
informative
medium-paced
This review was originally published on https://herbigmouth.wordpress.com.
Allison Weiss leads a double life. On the outside, everything is perfect – she has an attractive husband, cute daughter, and a successful career as a blog writer. However, she’s becoming increasingly worried that her husband is cheating, her daughter is acting out, and her parents’ are barely able to cope with her father’s Alzheimer’s. Initially, she relies on prescription Vicodin and Percocet to dull her problems. When those aren’t enough, she purchases Oxy Contin online illegally. Soon her life begins to unravel – she’s stealing money from work, lying, tired all the time, and the last straw, she almost drives with her five year old in the car when she’s under the influence. Her husband is furious and her mother is concerned. They send her to rehab where she meets Aubrey, Mary and a whole slew of other addicts. At first, she’s doing everything in her power to get out. She isn’t made in the image of the other addicts. She’s educated, her attendance isn’t court mandated and she has never done street drugs. But the healing doesn’t begin until after she is able to admit that she has a problem.
All Fall Down isn’t the light and humorous read that I’m used to from her. She focuses on the psyche of a young mother in the downward spiral of addiction – which at times can be heartbreaking and upsetting. What I thought Weiner got across really well was Allison’s desperation – for more pills, for her husband’s love and attention, for a way out of her situation – but I was surprised to feel dislike towards Allison because she wanted the easy way out. It wasn’t until she admits to having a substance abuse problem that I really began to care about what will happen in her life– Does she stay with her husband? Does her daughter outgrow her “acting out” phase? Does her mother become more independent?
Weiner’s novels have always been one of my go-to guilty pleasures after I read Good in Bed in university. What drew me to her books initially was that her heroines weren’t made from the traditional chick lit stock that I was reading. They had good jobs, were financially independent, and not a size 2. They were struggling with their weight – just like me. I found them to be more relatable than the characters that were a size less than zero, shopaholics or looking for Mr. Right to give them their happily-ever-after. It’s not one of my favourites (of Weiner’s) but it’s still an enjoyable, if not slightly disturbing read.
Allison Weiss leads a double life. On the outside, everything is perfect – she has an attractive husband, cute daughter, and a successful career as a blog writer. However, she’s becoming increasingly worried that her husband is cheating, her daughter is acting out, and her parents’ are barely able to cope with her father’s Alzheimer’s. Initially, she relies on prescription Vicodin and Percocet to dull her problems. When those aren’t enough, she purchases Oxy Contin online illegally. Soon her life begins to unravel – she’s stealing money from work, lying, tired all the time, and the last straw, she almost drives with her five year old in the car when she’s under the influence. Her husband is furious and her mother is concerned. They send her to rehab where she meets Aubrey, Mary and a whole slew of other addicts. At first, she’s doing everything in her power to get out. She isn’t made in the image of the other addicts. She’s educated, her attendance isn’t court mandated and she has never done street drugs. But the healing doesn’t begin until after she is able to admit that she has a problem.
All Fall Down isn’t the light and humorous read that I’m used to from her. She focuses on the psyche of a young mother in the downward spiral of addiction – which at times can be heartbreaking and upsetting. What I thought Weiner got across really well was Allison’s desperation – for more pills, for her husband’s love and attention, for a way out of her situation – but I was surprised to feel dislike towards Allison because she wanted the easy way out. It wasn’t until she admits to having a substance abuse problem that I really began to care about what will happen in her life– Does she stay with her husband? Does her daughter outgrow her “acting out” phase? Does her mother become more independent?
Weiner’s novels have always been one of my go-to guilty pleasures after I read Good in Bed in university. What drew me to her books initially was that her heroines weren’t made from the traditional chick lit stock that I was reading. They had good jobs, were financially independent, and not a size 2. They were struggling with their weight – just like me. I found them to be more relatable than the characters that were a size less than zero, shopaholics or looking for Mr. Right to give them their happily-ever-after. It’s not one of my favourites (of Weiner’s) but it’s still an enjoyable, if not slightly disturbing read.
Interesting look at how "it" can happen to anybody.
I generally read this author for light chick lit. I did not enjoy this book as much as her others, but being as I was reading this book during a tough time I found it very easy to relate to the character's struggles. Note to self- drugs are bad umkay.
I love Jennifer Weiner but this was so not up to her usual level. I could not have cared less about any of the main characters. Bah.
3 ⭐️ but barely. Overall meh. Some parts I liked, some I didn’t. A lot of characters not really developed, the pacing was not great and I felt like the book contradicted itself at times. Also the daughter… I know this book is old but in the beginning I could have sworn the daughter had autism and getting the diagnosis was going to be part of the plot (adding to stress & addiction?) but it was never addressed.
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I had gotten to a point where I was just over Jennifer Weiner books. They're all a little too similar - at times I feel I'm still reading about the girl from Good In Bed. And yes, this book also follows the adventures of an overweight woman with relationship problems - but for some reason it felt fresh enough that I enjoyed it. It's not without problems - Weiner writes about motherhood in a way that's especially cloying at times - very precious and organic food/no TV. And I kind of wish she'd gone the extra mile with her "sensitive child" and just full-on made her a kid with developmental issues. Also, the weird gang street language that she occasionally slips into at rehab to be funny is terrible. OTHERWISE, it was a good book - I like that she did a great job of showing how overwhelmed the main character is and how the addiction started slowly and built. It's not a topic that gets a lot of attention for women so it was good to see it here.
So, I took my time reading this book because I found myself drawn to the story yet angry and sympathetic to the cause at the same time. All Fall down is a story about Allison Weiss a stay at home mom ( who blogs) who finds herself spiraling out of control between her failing marriage, being the breadwinner of the family, her father's diagnosis with Alzheimer's all while taking care of her 5-year-old daughter Ellie. She copes with her overwhelming schedule by taking prescription painkillers (double-digit pills multiple times a day) whether prescribed by a variance of doctors or via purchasing them online. You go to the start, middle, rock bottom & rehab with Allison! Definitely a great read I absolutely adore Ms. Weiner's books but I found this one to be difficult at times not because of the writing or the characters simply because of the content and knowing that this problem is, in fact, a large epidemic in this country.