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eamcmahon3's review
4.0
Well written and a touching story. Her battle with addiction is well described and impactful. It was good, but not great
gabrielanotmoura's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve really been into memoirs lately and this one did not fall flat. The story of Erin and David as they both struggled with addiction and how she coped with the loss after he passed was heartbreaking.
jbciliento's review
5.0
Raw and Captivating
As soon as I started reading Carr's All That You Leave Behind I was unable to put the book down. It is a heartbreaking memoir that pulls the reader through many emotions. Very well written.
As soon as I started reading Carr's All That You Leave Behind I was unable to put the book down. It is a heartbreaking memoir that pulls the reader through many emotions. Very well written.
shannonw19's review against another edition
4.0
David Carr was a reporter for the New York Times. He also was an addict. He wrote about it in his memoir Night of the Gun. He died suddenly a few years ago and his daughter, Erin, has written a memoir about her life, her father, his death, and the aftermath. She has written a wrenching, gut-punch of a book. It was honest and raw and is a must-read.
Erin Lee Carr grew up in the shadow of a larger-than-life man. Her dad was tough on her. But he was also her biggest cheerleader. She shares emails and gchats they had about life and career. The book brings you inside their lives and provides a touching, real look at her dad - her hero.
I loved this book because it was raw and unflinching. Erin writes so candidly about the havoc her dad's death brought to her and her family's life. She is honest about her life as well - her tendency towards addiction (no doubt inherited from both her parents), her non-relationship with her mother, and her tenuous relationship with her stepmother. She talks about her drinking and the multitudes of embarrassment it brought to her.
Through it all her dad was her rock. He tried to help her with sobriety. He gave her career advice. She was reluctant to use his name to open doors, but did so. When he died, the rug was pulled out from under her and she reacted to that badly. The fact that she's brave enough to write about all of this without making excuses and shouldering the responsibility of her behavior made me like this book all the more.
She doesn't glamorize addiction. She portrays it for what it is- blackouts and all. She also discusses the toll her behavior took on her personal relationships. She talks about how devastating her father's death has been for her, and at first how upset she was that the general public would comment on it. She has since come to appreciate when people relay their stories because it shows her how much he meant to so many people.
I really liked this book. However, for some people, it might be really hard to read. Be forewarned the book discusses some difficult and possibly triggering topics. Otherwise, it's a fantastic book and I'm glad I read it.
I won this book from Goodreads and received no compensation in exchange for this review. The opinions contained herein are mine and mine alone.
Erin Lee Carr grew up in the shadow of a larger-than-life man. Her dad was tough on her. But he was also her biggest cheerleader. She shares emails and gchats they had about life and career. The book brings you inside their lives and provides a touching, real look at her dad - her hero.
I loved this book because it was raw and unflinching. Erin writes so candidly about the havoc her dad's death brought to her and her family's life. She is honest about her life as well - her tendency towards addiction (no doubt inherited from both her parents), her non-relationship with her mother, and her tenuous relationship with her stepmother. She talks about her drinking and the multitudes of embarrassment it brought to her.
Through it all her dad was her rock. He tried to help her with sobriety. He gave her career advice. She was reluctant to use his name to open doors, but did so. When he died, the rug was pulled out from under her and she reacted to that badly. The fact that she's brave enough to write about all of this without making excuses and shouldering the responsibility of her behavior made me like this book all the more.
She doesn't glamorize addiction. She portrays it for what it is- blackouts and all. She also discusses the toll her behavior took on her personal relationships. She talks about how devastating her father's death has been for her, and at first how upset she was that the general public would comment on it. She has since come to appreciate when people relay their stories because it shows her how much he meant to so many people.
I really liked this book. However, for some people, it might be really hard to read. Be forewarned the book discusses some difficult and possibly triggering topics. Otherwise, it's a fantastic book and I'm glad I read it.
I won this book from Goodreads and received no compensation in exchange for this review. The opinions contained herein are mine and mine alone.
lydiam1003's review against another edition
3.75
Although the author's personality was a little hard to get behind I really loved this book. She was honest - which couldn't have been easy. Uplifting and depressing - grief in its realest form.
novelvisits's review against another edition
2.0
My Thoughts: Erin Lee Carr had a close relationship with her father, journalist David Carr. He was her mentor, her moral compass, her champion. He was the measuring stick against which she took stock of her own life. When Erin and her twin sister were born nearly two months premature, both David and their mother were serious addicts, of both drugs alcohol. It was bad. David eventually saw the light and gave it up knowing someone had to be there for these two precious girls. He lived a mostly clean life after that, met a woman who became his true life partner and had another daughter with her.
This was Erin’s family, all completely devastated when David suddenly died at only 56. In writing this memoir Erin Lee Carr did a beautiful job paying tribute to her father. She showed his mistakes, his victories, his harsh side and his unwavering love for his family. In that this book was a success. Where it fell down for me were the actual “memoir” parts. Erin shared a love of alcohol with her father and at a very young age was regularly blacking out, and publicly embarrassing herself. She’d get sober and then go back, again and again. I appreciated her honesty and her willingness to not be likable. She made excuses, but usually also admitted that they were just that. I know that this is her journey and her story, but I’m just going to suggest that maybe 28 or 29 is too young to be writing a memoir of over coming addiction. As a tribute this book worked for me, but as a memoir it fell flat.
For more reviews and bookish news: https://novelvisits.com/
This was Erin’s family, all completely devastated when David suddenly died at only 56. In writing this memoir Erin Lee Carr did a beautiful job paying tribute to her father. She showed his mistakes, his victories, his harsh side and his unwavering love for his family. In that this book was a success. Where it fell down for me were the actual “memoir” parts. Erin shared a love of alcohol with her father and at a very young age was regularly blacking out, and publicly embarrassing herself. She’d get sober and then go back, again and again. I appreciated her honesty and her willingness to not be likable. She made excuses, but usually also admitted that they were just that. I know that this is her journey and her story, but I’m just going to suggest that maybe 28 or 29 is too young to be writing a memoir of over coming addiction. As a tribute this book worked for me, but as a memoir it fell flat.
For more reviews and bookish news: https://novelvisits.com/
mkko61's review against another edition
4.0
One of the best descriptions of death and the grieving process I've ever read. Very helpful for folks going through loss.
stella94's review against another edition
3.0
Stuck between a 3 and a 4. A touching book about Erin battlkng her own demons while dealing with the love and loss of her father.
cekwrites's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
Summary
David Carr has worn many hats throughout his life: alcoholic, drug addict, father, boyfriend, husband, champion of recovery, author, speaker, reporter, and world citizen. He had an incredibly positive influence on his daughter, Erin Lee Carr, and did what he could to help her get her footing set up in the world of media reporting when she revealed her interest to him. He constantly supported her, offered lifelines where needed, and dished out criticism when necessary.
He died at the age of 58. He passed right after giving a talk at his workplace, the New York Times, due to complications re: his lungs due to smoking.
Erin Lee Carr herself struggled with her genetic predisposition which inclined her towards addiction, allowing herself to reach out to her dad when she felt it necessary. She recounts the time immediately after his death as arguably the most difficult in her life, especially since her father was not there to provide his wisdom upon her request.
This is a beautifully written account of the power someone can hold in many peoples' lives, and how that can continue to effect those around them, even after their passing.
Review
Erin Lee Carr's memoir of her father's death and everything that surrounded it was fascinating to listen to, and made my heart ache in jealousy that I didn't have the kind of relationship with either of my parents that she wrote about having with her father. I loved this a lot. I'll be recommending this to a few of my friends so that they can experience this for themselves.
David Carr has worn many hats throughout his life: alcoholic, drug addict, father, boyfriend, husband, champion of recovery, author, speaker, reporter, and world citizen. He had an incredibly positive influence on his daughter, Erin Lee Carr, and did what he could to help her get her footing set up in the world of media reporting when she revealed her interest to him. He constantly supported her, offered lifelines where needed, and dished out criticism when necessary.
He died at the age of 58. He passed right after giving a talk at his workplace, the New York Times, due to complications re: his lungs due to smoking.
Erin Lee Carr herself struggled with her genetic predisposition which inclined her towards addiction, allowing herself to reach out to her dad when she felt it necessary. She recounts the time immediately after his death as arguably the most difficult in her life, especially since her father was not there to provide his wisdom upon her request.
This is a beautifully written account of the power someone can hold in many peoples' lives, and how that can continue to effect those around them, even after their passing.
Review
Erin Lee Carr's memoir of her father's death and everything that surrounded it was fascinating to listen to, and made my heart ache in jealousy that I didn't have the kind of relationship with either of my parents that she wrote about having with her father. I loved this a lot. I'll be recommending this to a few of my friends so that they can experience this for themselves.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Drug use, Mental illness, and Drug abuse
Minor: Cannibalism, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Gun violence, and Rape
All minor CWs are only mentioned briefly & with the exception of suicidal thoughts have to do with subjects Erin Lee Carr interviewed for her work