Thank you to She Writes Press for sending me an e-copy of this book to read and review.
TITLE: The Art of Losing It
AUTHOR: Rosemary Kevill
GENRE: Memoir (to be released on October 20, 2020)
RATING: 4 stars out of 5
I read a lot of addiction and recovery books and I really admire people who write about their experiences and so, Rosemary needs to be commended for being so brutally honest about her life.
This memoir was exceptional, for me because the author spends a considerable amount of time detailing her rehab stay, writing about all the various substances that are out there and what rehab really is. I appreciated this part of the story.
The first part is extremely difficult to read. Sad and difficult. Let's just say that there was too much going into this woman's life and you could almost feel the addict in the making. I was surprised at how little support she really got.
I also thought reading the first part of the story was tough, because I lost my dad when I was 11 and it has left a mark that I cannot seem to get away from. So, I could empathize with the girls up to a point.
Having said that, I will be honest...I did not like any of the people in this memoir. I admire Rosemary Kevill for what she did - going to rehab and getting sober is hard. Its really hard. However, wow, mom and the kids were all acting out ALL THE TIME. At what point does the mom turn around and say "that's enough" to her kids?
My own mother, who has had to live through her own husband's premature death, to raise two girls on her own, would never have tolerated this behaviour from us.
The writing is excellent and the author does not shy away from the bad and the really bad. Do I feel as though I have a better understanding of who Rosemary is? - not sure, but she certainly has a career as a writer, in my opinion.
Nonetheless, this was a book that I could not manage to put down. I read in a few days. I hope the Kevill family has slayed some dragons and have healed from the at least some of the pain
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