Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Drinking: A Love Story

Title: Drinking: A Love Story
Author: Caroline Knapp

     One of the best chronicles of alcoholism ever written. (Rounding out my top three in the area of addiction are Senator George McGovern's Torry, about his daughter's descent into and eventual death from alcoholism; and Augusten Burrough's Dry, a commentary on his own addiction.
     Drinking: A Love Story presents Ms. Knapp's story as a so-called "high functioning" alcoholic; a well-educated, middle class, professionally successful reporter for many respected periodicals. It covers her 20-year descent into full-fledged, harrowing alcoholism, beginning with light social drinking and progressing inexorably into a life that has become an alcohol-fueled nightmare. Details hitting her "bottom" and the extremely difficult but hopeful process of recovery.
     This book should be compulsory reading for anyone -- and there are many out there -- who view alcoholics as weak-willed, selfish, low-class individuals.

Non-Fiction; rated 5 out of 5
Reviewed by Jan

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