Daughter of the Drunk at the Bar

by Michelle O’Neil

Daughter of the Drunk at the Bar is the true story of Janie, a girl growing up in the eighties under the oppression of her father's alcoholism. Both tender and tough, Janie makes her way through childhood hiding what is going on in her family and cherishing the moments when nothing is wrong.

"Michelle O'Neil is a true writer, dedicated to sharing her story and experience with others. To read her work is to be inspired. She is a truly perseverant spirit." —Jennifer Lauck, author of New York Times bestseller, Blackbird, Still Waters, Show Me the Way, and Found.

"Michelle O'Neil is a grand gorgeous HEARTBREAKING writer. You should go and buy this book, curl up with this book, fall in love with this girl writer and shout her name from the rooftops." —Amy Ferris, author of Marrying George Clooney: Confessions of a Midlife Crises and co-editor of Dancing at the Shame Prom, sharing the stories that kept us small.

Genres: Amazon, Biography Memoir

300 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 13, 2011

Reviews

[Drew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad, haunting, tender, true. A good first book. Starts slow (written in first-person, child) but picks up speed and emerges as a too-true tale of scrappy survival. Reads like a less-polished version of "The Glass Castle."

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Triggering

Memoir of a girl growing up with an abusive, alcoholic father and a mother who isn’t really there. She goes from about age 6 to finishing college. Interesting and triggering all at the same time, I want to know how her life is now.

[Shannon Coates · Rating 3 out of 5]

Compelling
Heart-rending
Good first offering

[Jackie Simons]

Read 1/26

[Melissa Golus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heart breaking book but I give full credit to anyone willing to put their life out there in a memoir.

[Sherry Wellmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful memoir!

I love to read memoirs and found this one really well-written and very interesting. Michelle lived through many challenges, many of which I could identify with as well. Her writing was is very descriptive and believable. I'm glad I read this and highly recommend it to others'

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daughter of the Drunk at the Bar is raw, tender, and deeply human. Michelle O’Neil captures both the pain of growing up in the shadow of alcoholism and the quiet resilience it takes to hold on to moments of love and hope. This memoir is heartbreaking yet inspiring, a testament to survival, courage, and the power of telling one’s truth.

[Cheryl Pignotti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good until the ending

I could imagine her pain and internal battles in her writing. But it was written more like a checklist of her experiences but it kept me interested. When the story came to where she was forced to deal with the affects of her abuse it abruptly pivoted and it ended. Very disappointing.

[Cris · Rating 4 out of 5]

real life memoir

I work with many women who have this same story- violent, abusive or neglectful childhoods, drunk fathers, oblivious moms, or moms who have to work, kids who make horrible life choices to survive. Grown women who know nothing about life except what their terrible parents modeled for them. So sad, but happens way too often.

[kathi Driskell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Time of Growth

Oh the things that can change a little girls life!
Janie was a very smart, intelligent young lady growing up in a dysfunctional family. Seems her mother was spaced out all the time and her dad truly was an alcoholic
Through it all she knew God which was the most important aspect in her life.
It’s a nice read yet a real eye opener for back in the day

[Joan Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like Michelle O'Neil's other book Dog Park, this story will take you through a range of emotions. It's both heartbreaking and funny, sometimes within the same paragraph. I loved how the story was told through the changing perspective of a little girl as she grew into a teen and then a young woman. Michelle is a great writer - she paints pictures you can see (and feel) in your own mind.

[Michelle Herrle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very real and raw story about a girl living with an alcoholic father and a neglectful mother. Told entirely from the eyes of the young girl—direct, not reflective—which helps to feel the weight of it all. Unfortunately, this story hits home for far too many, which is all the more reason stories like this are so powerful and needed. Thank you for sharing your story with the world!

[Katie Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this

This is a heartfelt touching story. It is eye opening to think of the many people who have lived lives similar to this one. There is always hope. Don’t give up! Can’t wait to read more by this writer.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not going to lie this book started off really slow for me. 30% in and it pick up and I couldn’t put it down! It was amazing, shocking, and beautifully written. It’s incredible how someone can experience so much ugliness and make such a beautiful life.

[julia rood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relatable and Genuine

With a title like this, it was easy to choose this book...Michelle writes so well and portrayed the life of a child living with an alcoholic parent. Yet she does so with a deepth and lightness rarely done as well. Very readable and relatable.

[Keisha Stokeling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tragically Depressing Coming of age

It's sad, you keep hoping life gets better for the main character, but somehow it doesn't. However, it's well written and entertaining. A 5 out of 5

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was emotionally taxing to read. The reality the author paints gives the reader a real-life connection to the character. By the end, my emotions had settled down. However, in the first portion, I had full-blown anxiety for the main character.

There are a few favorite quotes from the memoir. This one in particular hit a soft spot in my heart.
Quote: "Evidently, he never had any concern for me. Eric has a future. I’m just the daughter of the drunk at the bar."

[Stephanie]

good airplane read!!

[Valerie Tisler · Rating 5 out of 5]

read this non stop!

[Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. Interesting story. Sad at times, but very realistic.

[Lisa Harden]

Average book.

It had a story but was told in a jerky fashion. The author touches on religion, but as soon as she does, she is off again. The ending is too abrupt.

[Holly Terwilliger-Peichl · Rating 5 out of 5]

We had the same life.

I wasn't sure I'd be able to read this, but I'm glad I did. Great emotional writing! It's not a subject often covered. Thank you.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy memoir, then this is a MUST READ. I absolutely loved it, was riveted throughout and couldn't stop reading until I'd finished the very last words, then had to go back and reread the Prologue. And the Epilogue. I did not want this book to end. The main character, Janie, is tough, tender, and thoroughly engaging. I don't know when I've read such powerful writing as this memoir by Michelle O'Neil.

It touches on a dysfunctional family, revolving around the "Dad", Janie's father, who is a poor excuse for the word, who spends all his time at the local bar; and then there's the mother who works to get money to pay the bills and has no energy left for her children, who basically raise themselves and do the best they can under the horrendous circumstances in this home. Sexually abused, sexually active at the age of 12, trotted down to Planned Parenthood by her mother, longing for her parents to show they care about what happens to her, Janie is a survivor. She makes it through, even graduates from college, and shortly after comes to understand what she must do to bring about healing.

Janie and her story will stay in your mind and heart for a long time after you close this book.

[Maria Phillis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is very powerful and rings true.

[Lillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply raw, engaging, heart wrenching, brave and well written. Honored to have met this brilliant author and can't wait to read more of her work!

[Kathy Ritchey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very detailed Memoir

I enjoyed the bit of nostalgia as I read The book and I got a Sense of who the characters were unfortunately some of them hit home.