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A review by laurcoh
Drinking: A Love Story by Caroline Knapp
4.0
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.