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Cracking Up: A Memoir
Think Augusten Burroughs hilarious recovery memoir, "Dry" blended with the classic "One flew over the Cuckoo's Nest". Follow Grant through recovery from alcoholism amidst the twists and turns of side-splitting comedy in a rural old folks home in Indiana that doubles as a mental institution.
Meet a host of unforgettable, quirky characters that help float Grant over the undertow of substance abuse, and its horrible consequences. Witness the rediscovery the meaning of life in this memoir entwined with comedy, drama and the affirmation of love and recovery.
Following substance abuse's aftermath of destruction and despair, the central struggle for the main character is to fill the void left by the cessation of alcohol. The tension for resolution is driven by the alcohol related death of Grant's best friend and the nagging question, “if no addiction, then what?” Hilarity abounds as Grant seeks these answers from a cast of misfits who are his institutionalized patients.
This memoir concludes with the answer, that the vacuum, the hole created by the removal of an abused substance, must be filled with "life". This is an excellent book of inspiration and consequence for anyone going though recovery, who knows someone going through recovery, or anyone who enjoys a rollicking adventure of comedy, tragedy, love, rebirth and life's lessons learned.
Meet a host of unforgettable, quirky characters that help float Grant over the undertow of substance abuse, and its horrible consequences. Witness the rediscovery the meaning of life in this memoir entwined with comedy, drama and the affirmation of love and recovery.
Following substance abuse's aftermath of destruction and despair, the central struggle for the main character is to fill the void left by the cessation of alcohol. The tension for resolution is driven by the alcohol related death of Grant's best friend and the nagging question, “if no addiction, then what?” Hilarity abounds as Grant seeks these answers from a cast of misfits who are his institutionalized patients.
This memoir concludes with the answer, that the vacuum, the hole created by the removal of an abused substance, must be filled with "life". This is an excellent book of inspiration and consequence for anyone going though recovery, who knows someone going through recovery, or anyone who enjoys a rollicking adventure of comedy, tragedy, love, rebirth and life's lessons learned.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 2, 2012
12 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 13, 2013
I LOVED this book. It was harrowing to read, but I'm glad I did... the author has a wonderful sense of humour, and managed to describe his addiction in a way that didn't leave me feeling I was studying a lab animal - but rather, I managed to find a lot of ways that I thought he sounded a lot like me.
I read a review somewhere where the reviewer was irritated that Arboro didn't go into great detail about what a horrible person he was and how much he hurt everyone around him, etc. ... I think the book is of greater value as it is. Grant obviously DOES realize the pain he caused others, but the book is written from more of an 'as it happened' perspective rather than looking back and explaining it all to death, if that makes sense.
Awesome book. Seriously. READ IT.
I read a review somewhere where the reviewer was irritated that Arboro didn't go into great detail about what a horrible person he was and how much he hurt everyone around him, etc. ... I think the book is of greater value as it is. Grant obviously DOES realize the pain he caused others, but the book is written from more of an 'as it happened' perspective rather than looking back and explaining it all to death, if that makes sense.
Awesome book. Seriously. READ IT.
January 26, 2014
Good read for any current or former alcoholic
I found Grant 's story of alcoholism, sobriety, and the hells of healthcare to be both hilarious and heartfelt. This book is particularly beneficial for anyone who struggles with self control. The reader is able to gain insight into the mind of an alcoholic as well as some disgusting truths about our nation's healthcare industry. I felt a swarm of emotions reading the book: compassion and empathy for Grant, even fear and bewilderment at times. Overall, this was a good read. However it must be said that there were A LOT of typographical/grammatical errors. I doubt this book went through any editing at all. In fact, I actually thought it could have been done deliberately, being written by a heavy drinker. Maybe he was trying to put a creative spin on the book? Who knows?
I found Grant 's story of alcoholism, sobriety, and the hells of healthcare to be both hilarious and heartfelt. This book is particularly beneficial for anyone who struggles with self control. The reader is able to gain insight into the mind of an alcoholic as well as some disgusting truths about our nation's healthcare industry. I felt a swarm of emotions reading the book: compassion and empathy for Grant, even fear and bewilderment at times. Overall, this was a good read. However it must be said that there were A LOT of typographical/grammatical errors. I doubt this book went through any editing at all. In fact, I actually thought it could have been done deliberately, being written by a heavy drinker. Maybe he was trying to put a creative spin on the book? Who knows?
August 3, 2014
Wow!
Grant Arboro's story resonates with humor, honesty, and gut-wrenching emotions. As a reader, I took the roller coaster ride from the "fun" drinking with his friend Andy to the depths of his reality and despair when he realized the enormity of his disease, and how it controlled his life. In the end, he learned much about himself, and the true gift of his sobriety.
Grant Arboro's story resonates with humor, honesty, and gut-wrenching emotions. As a reader, I took the roller coaster ride from the "fun" drinking with his friend Andy to the depths of his reality and despair when he realized the enormity of his disease, and how it controlled his life. In the end, he learned much about himself, and the true gift of his sobriety.
December 23, 2014
Great read I couldn't put it down until I had finished it to the end.
It was,well worth five stars.
An eye opener to addictions.
A look into the life of an addict and how professionals succumb to the pressures of their careers. Amazing.
It was,well worth five stars.
An eye opener to addictions.
A look into the life of an addict and how professionals succumb to the pressures of their careers. Amazing.
April 26, 2014
I loved this book, it was brutally honest and very inspirational. We all have demons to slay regardless of what type, addiction to depression. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is going through a tough time.
May 11, 2014
A brutally honest romp through the struggles of addiction and the subsequent triumph over it. A quick read that celebrates what a human being can do when faced with the consequences of a wasted life.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews