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glet10's review against another edition
2.0
In reading this book, I hoped to gain a greater understanding of how and why people who have achieved great personal and professional success and seemingly lead ‘perfect’ lives nonetheless find themselves at the mercy of addiction and unhappiness. Sadly, for whatever reason - be it a failing on the part of the author or my own bias as a reader - I did not find such insight here.
90sinmyheart's review against another edition
2.0
About halfway through, I stopped reading all the analysis of other addiction stories and memoirs and read the parts actually about the author's experiences.
bergamee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.75
jesshooves's review against another edition
“Our stories have common hinges, whether we want to admit to them or not.” —LJ
itsolivia's review against another edition
5.0
The deal: A 544-page mix of memoir, literary criticism, historical archive, and reporting on alcoholism and the stories we tell around it.
Is it worth it?: For most people, I highly doubt it—I’m fairly confident that this is not the book for you if you are not 1. sober (or have even the tiniest shred of desire to get sober) and 2. a writer or someone with a limitless fascination with analyzing writers/writing. This is not a recovery memoir. It’s long and dense and academic, part poetic drunkalog, part archive of writers and writing. All that being said, this ___ me. Right now I don’t really have the word to put in the blank, since I’m realizing what I reach for is often the language of destruction, like “gutted” or “destroyed” to really emphasize resonance. “The Recovering” is not that. Rather, it’s closer to the feeling you get when someone shares an experience, a strength, a hope that’s somehow you and not you and exactly what you need at exactly the right moment. It’s tempting to live in that feeling (and this book), loitering in the glow of seeing ourselves reflected back, pretending that clarity is the same as salvation. But the sobriety we’re talking about here isn’t just self-knowledge and sheer will in isolation.
Pairs well with: I went to link aa.org and whew the meeting finder continues to be the specific kind of endearing disaster that could only belong to an organization that’s self-supported by a bunch of alcoholics. DM me if you’re looking for something more specific or just to chat or whatever < 3. (Sidenote - Jamison also has a great author’s note about harm reduction and other modes of recovery that should not be skipped, and arguably even read first)
A
Is it worth it?: For most people, I highly doubt it—I’m fairly confident that this is not the book for you if you are not 1. sober (or have even the tiniest shred of desire to get sober) and 2. a writer or someone with a limitless fascination with analyzing writers/writing. This is not a recovery memoir. It’s long and dense and academic, part poetic drunkalog, part archive of writers and writing. All that being said, this ___ me. Right now I don’t really have the word to put in the blank, since I’m realizing what I reach for is often the language of destruction, like “gutted” or “destroyed” to really emphasize resonance. “The Recovering” is not that. Rather, it’s closer to the feeling you get when someone shares an experience, a strength, a hope that’s somehow you and not you and exactly what you need at exactly the right moment. It’s tempting to live in that feeling (and this book), loitering in the glow of seeing ourselves reflected back, pretending that clarity is the same as salvation. But the sobriety we’re talking about here isn’t just self-knowledge and sheer will in isolation.
Pairs well with: I went to link aa.org and whew the meeting finder continues to be the specific kind of endearing disaster that could only belong to an organization that’s self-supported by a bunch of alcoholics. DM me if you’re looking for something more specific or just to chat or whatever < 3. (Sidenote - Jamison also has a great author’s note about harm reduction and other modes of recovery that should not be skipped, and arguably even read first)
A
caitie711's review against another edition
5.0
A compelling mixture of history, myth, and personal stories examining our individual and societal judgements of intoxication. Whether romanticizing drunken genius, demonizing junkies, weaponizing addiction, or battling our own inner demons, our relationship to intoxicants of all kinds are explored with a deft hand.
If you or someone you've known or admired has struggled with addiction, this is a great resource, with further resources and recommendations throughout.
If you or someone you've known or admired has struggled with addiction, this is a great resource, with further resources and recommendations throughout.
jennystout21's review against another edition
5.0
An epic account of the author's own struggle with alcoholism, entwined with a deep dive into the tradition of writers who drink--and their stories both pre and post-getting sober. I can't recommend this book enough. It's beautifully written, clear-eyed, and honest.