A review by jcm
Fury: A Memoir by Koren Zailckas

2.0

Was very much intrigued to read a book about anger from the author of the well-regarded Smashed (which I am about to read). Being an alcoholic myself with anger issues I wanted to see what she had to say. Unfortunately it felt more like a diary where she complained endlessly about a break-up and not being able to write this book. She came off as whiny and impetuous and kept reminding us she never wanted to resort to violence. As if that were something she should be commended for. There were never any moments where she acknowledged her own wrong doing, or really great insight. Yes, her mother does sound pretty narcissistic, but she brings that up way too late in the book for any real examination of what that means. The book felt like one long research paper with herself as the subject, with zero self-awareness other than the "I don't want to be like her".

I hope Smashed is better, and will give me more insight into her life. I held off reading Smashed because I didn't put much stock into a 23 year old writing a memoir, but a book about anger compelled me to pick it up. I don't think Zailckas had the maturity or self-awareness to write yet another memoir.