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amydkreads's review against another edition
2.0
Because I got pregnant.
Because my mother couldn't handle it when I did...
Sometimes, I would pick up the phone wanting to ask my mother: As it like this for you when you were pregnant? Did you feel like this? What did you do when? What happens after?
Then I would put the phone done. I couldn't call. I remembered. I was told not to call. It was because of that.
Because my mother didn't quite succeed in poisoning me with her own guilt. But I felt poisoned regardless. I felt toxic with rage.
Because I held it together and told myself I will hold it together until I give birth to this child and then I will murder every single perpetrator, starting with myself.
Because of Frankie. Because I couldn't handle all the love.
pg 282
Because my mother couldn't handle it when I did...
Sometimes, I would pick up the phone wanting to ask my mother: As it like this for you when you were pregnant? Did you feel like this? What did you do when? What happens after?
Then I would put the phone done. I couldn't call. I remembered. I was told not to call. It was because of that.
Because my mother didn't quite succeed in poisoning me with her own guilt. But I felt poisoned regardless. I felt toxic with rage.
Because I held it together and told myself I will hold it together until I give birth to this child and then I will murder every single perpetrator, starting with myself.
Because of Frankie. Because I couldn't handle all the love.
pg 282
lexn_bryant's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
adorkablereader's review against another edition
4.0
I started reading this book really knowing nothing about it when I started. Which I'm glad I didn't, because I'm not sure if I would have picked it up. But I'm glad I did. There are many opinions about memoirs that are so forthright ... is the author trying to shock you with their almost unbelievable story to make money off of their tragic lives? Many people think so and will completely avoid books like this for that reason. This topic is difficult, scary and depressing. The author here digs deep, revealing truths that most would not want exposed to the world for all to see and to judge. It is a compelling read, occasionally feels repetitive, but isn't that an all to common theme with addiction...a vicious cycle that you can't escape from. I truly wish for success for Jowita in her continued struggle to stay sober. And I hope that writing is a continued component in staying that way, I would like to read more from her. I have to think, that with the growing number of memoirs on addiction, that this has to be a therapeutic exercise for the afflicted. Write away, you will have an audience...set your lies and secrets free onto the pages as a road to recovery and healing. The more we all learn about the struggles of others the more compassion and understanding there will be in the world.
cwhalen1988's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
3.0
Honest and sad story of a woman whose life revolves around alcohol. While interesting, it was not an unique story and it was a little repetitive. Worth the read though.
maryehavens's review against another edition
4.0
It would be super-easy to vilify Bydlowska but you have to admit that she has extremely large cajones to strip herself bare and lay it all out. I kept screaming at her to give that baby to someone who wasn't blackout drunk because she was clearly incapable of taking care of an infant. I think she struggle with what most moms struggle with: enormous guilt in feeling that she was inadequate in taking care of her child. And she does admit she was inadequate and apologizes profusely to her son and her partner.
Also: let's take a minute to address the enormous pressure put upon moms. Why does giving birth mean you are suddenly put on this "gotta be perfect" pedestal?? I read something, somewhere (how's that for a source!? :) ) about spicing up the news by emphasizing "SHE IS/WAS A MOTHER" because you can't possibly think that a MOTHER could be the same person after having a child. It's the whole Madonna/whore complex but magnified to the nth degree. Moving on.....
What struck me, for the first time ever (and it's not my first addiction memoir) is the massive amount of lies she told to everyone including herself. Also: did her friends know she was an alcoholic? Because they certainly pushed it on her at this various parties, including her "going to rehab" party. Either they were stupid jerks or they were completely oblivious. With the amount of lying she did, I can see that but maybe they knew and didn't take it seriously? I've heard of addicts of all varieties having to completely change their friends and even family because they just didn't get it.
I'm always struck with how self-destructive addicts are. I've been watching a lot of My 600 lb Life lately and some of the addicts will get so close and then sabotage themselves. It's frustrating to watch someone think so little of themselves (and I say this as someone who has struggled with self-worth almost my entire life).
The writing is lyrical at times, which I liked but can come off pretentious too, and she writes in little bursts which makes it a quick read.
I hope Bydlowska has figured it out for her her son and partner's sake, but mostly for herself.
Also: let's take a minute to address the enormous pressure put upon moms. Why does giving birth mean you are suddenly put on this "gotta be perfect" pedestal?? I read something, somewhere (how's that for a source!? :) ) about spicing up the news by emphasizing "SHE IS/WAS A MOTHER" because you can't possibly think that a MOTHER could be the same person after having a child. It's the whole Madonna/whore complex but magnified to the nth degree. Moving on.....
What struck me, for the first time ever (and it's not my first addiction memoir) is the massive amount of lies she told to everyone including herself. Also: did her friends know she was an alcoholic? Because they certainly pushed it on her at this various parties, including her "going to rehab" party. Either they were stupid jerks or they were completely oblivious. With the amount of lying she did, I can see that but maybe they knew and didn't take it seriously? I've heard of addicts of all varieties having to completely change their friends and even family because they just didn't get it.
I'm always struck with how self-destructive addicts are. I've been watching a lot of My 600 lb Life lately and some of the addicts will get so close and then sabotage themselves. It's frustrating to watch someone think so little of themselves (and I say this as someone who has struggled with self-worth almost my entire life).
The writing is lyrical at times, which I liked but can come off pretentious too, and she writes in little bursts which makes it a quick read.
I hope Bydlowska has figured it out for her her son and partner's sake, but mostly for herself.
meandmypaperback's review against another edition
4.0
(Received through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.)
Confession: I love reading memoirs of people I have no idea who they are. I guess I am just nosey. I find it so compelling to read someone elses' story, especially one like this that takes some guts to write.
On that note; Drunk Mom is a great read. Its brutally honest, at times cringe worthy, but that is what makes it special.
I'm not a mom, or a drunk. But I do love myself a glass of wine. And some of the descriptions she gives, also ring true to me (and I'm sure to any other social drinker). I found it very interesting to see exactly how far people go to hide something. Hiding beer in diaper bags, going out of your way to throw the empty bottles out. You know your doing something wrong when you go though that length.
A kudos and a slap in the face to her boyfriend. He is either very very dumb or very very passive. If I was in his position, I would have walked out countless times, but he gets a high five for being there for their son.
This memoir also shows how much it is the persons choice and want in order to become sober. All of a sudden something switched in Jowita's mind that she needed to, and more importantly, wanted to become sober. She said she was attending meetings before, but was never 100% into stopping drinking. So of course she relapsed.
My only concern about this memoir, is that it was written only a short while after Jowita is sober (again). I hope that by writing this memoir was therapeutic to her and allows her to stay on the sober train, if not for herself, for her son.
For a memoir, go read this. Its very enlightening, and I couldn't put the book down until I scrolled all the way to the end. Plus the cover is pretty awesome.
“There's this parallel, perhaps less conscious desire, which is to numb myself to the world. To deal with the world tomorrow. Living is difficult. Dying is difficult.”
http://justaddchampagne.blogspot.ca/2014/09/book-review-drunk-mom-by-jowita.html
Confession: I love reading memoirs of people I have no idea who they are. I guess I am just nosey. I find it so compelling to read someone elses' story, especially one like this that takes some guts to write.
On that note; Drunk Mom is a great read. Its brutally honest, at times cringe worthy, but that is what makes it special.
I'm not a mom, or a drunk. But I do love myself a glass of wine. And some of the descriptions she gives, also ring true to me (and I'm sure to any other social drinker). I found it very interesting to see exactly how far people go to hide something. Hiding beer in diaper bags, going out of your way to throw the empty bottles out. You know your doing something wrong when you go though that length.
A kudos and a slap in the face to her boyfriend. He is either very very dumb or very very passive. If I was in his position, I would have walked out countless times, but he gets a high five for being there for their son.
This memoir also shows how much it is the persons choice and want in order to become sober. All of a sudden something switched in Jowita's mind that she needed to, and more importantly, wanted to become sober. She said she was attending meetings before, but was never 100% into stopping drinking. So of course she relapsed.
My only concern about this memoir, is that it was written only a short while after Jowita is sober (again). I hope that by writing this memoir was therapeutic to her and allows her to stay on the sober train, if not for herself, for her son.
For a memoir, go read this. Its very enlightening, and I couldn't put the book down until I scrolled all the way to the end. Plus the cover is pretty awesome.
“There's this parallel, perhaps less conscious desire, which is to numb myself to the world. To deal with the world tomorrow. Living is difficult. Dying is difficult.”
http://justaddchampagne.blogspot.ca/2014/09/book-review-drunk-mom-by-jowita.html