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The Liberty Tree: Drunk to Sober Via Love, Death, Disintegration & Freedom
A touching and brutally honest memoir, painful yet ultimately life affirming in its humor, warmth, and candor Suzanne Harrington did all the thing that adults do, long before she'd grown met Leo, married, had babies. She also partied, was homeless for a while, and drank—and drank. She headed toward disintegration, with Leo at her side, locked deep in himself. Then, waking to the wreckage of yet another lost weekend, she stopped drinking—and Leo, her companion and enabler, became a stranger. They separated. Newly sober, and freed from her demons, Suzanne embraced life. Leo chose escape. Early one morning the police arrived. A body had been found hanging from a tree. When it was all over, and Suzanne had buried Leo, and helped her children to grieve, she sat down and wrote the story of their father's life. This is for them. It is for the memory of Leo. It is also for anyone who has partied too hard, found life unbearable, or avoided the truth. It is touching, hilarious, brutally honest, and utterly compelling.
- GenresNonfiction
286 pages, Paperback
First published July 4, 2013
1 person is currently reading
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 25, 2013
The Liberty Tree was a bit of a risk for me as I hadn't read a memoir before and usually stick to the fantastical or humorous, yet I took the risk and accepted this memoir about the relationship between an alcoholic and the husband she's not entirely sure she's in love with.. and do you know what? I loved it. It was completely outside of my comfort zone and I could hardly put it down.
Once I'd finished reading The Liberty Tree, I noticed that I was the only person who had added this book to my Goodreads so of course I had to fix this and proceeded to recommend it to as many of my friends who I thought might possibly enjoy reading it as I could, and if I missed you: I recommend this book. Here's why.
If you enjoy the kind of writing that draws you in and makes you feel as though you know the people you're reading about deeply, you will love The Liberty Tree. And it's not a misery-fest either, as much as you might expect from the blurb. Suzanne has written this memoir to her children to tell them what their dad was like before they came along and I think this has a lot to do with the charm of this book, but don't think that this is a memoir for children either. This is a book about the paranoia and behaviour caused by drug taking and hard partying, about alcohol abuse, and fundamentally about suicide and how it turns your life upside-down. The way Suzanne describes this portion of her life absolutely blew me away.
I found myself utterly swept up by the narrative only to find a couple of hours had passed. I've learned a lot about addiction, the effect of drugs, and how easy it is to miss something so huge. And I genuinely enjoyed reading about Suzanne and Leo's relationship. Keep your eye out for this one. I'm off to find more memoirs.
Once I'd finished reading The Liberty Tree, I noticed that I was the only person who had added this book to my Goodreads so of course I had to fix this and proceeded to recommend it to as many of my friends who I thought might possibly enjoy reading it as I could, and if I missed you: I recommend this book. Here's why.
If you enjoy the kind of writing that draws you in and makes you feel as though you know the people you're reading about deeply, you will love The Liberty Tree. And it's not a misery-fest either, as much as you might expect from the blurb. Suzanne has written this memoir to her children to tell them what their dad was like before they came along and I think this has a lot to do with the charm of this book, but don't think that this is a memoir for children either. This is a book about the paranoia and behaviour caused by drug taking and hard partying, about alcohol abuse, and fundamentally about suicide and how it turns your life upside-down. The way Suzanne describes this portion of her life absolutely blew me away.
I found myself utterly swept up by the narrative only to find a couple of hours had passed. I've learned a lot about addiction, the effect of drugs, and how easy it is to miss something so huge. And I genuinely enjoyed reading about Suzanne and Leo's relationship. Keep your eye out for this one. I'm off to find more memoirs.
July 3, 2013
Finally, I've finished this book! I'm honestly so relieved because for a while there, I didn't think I'd be able to even get to the end. I don't mean that I hated it or that the subject matter was too controversial, it was that shockingly, I found this memoir quite boring. I wasn't expecting this at all. I just didn't experience the warmth, or the humour, or the life affirming account that was promised in the blurb. I think this was mainly because I didn't empathise with Suzanne's narration which while was 'honest', I often found to resemble a babbling that'd drone on and on and on with no apparent direction.
Please click for here the full review posted on my blog.
The narrative was very colloquial, and lacked the eloquent prose that would subtly convey to the reader that the author wasn't actually a unstable nut case. I found it unusual that the memoir starts with her as an addict, there doesn't seem to be a "pre-alcohol" Suzanne, so the addiction to alcohol doesn't just come to define her - from the beginning, it does define her. That being said, she obviously had a rough life, and I thought did quite a good job of explaining the mindset of an addict. My favourite passage was probably:
"It's not as if I don't realize I have a drink problem. Of course I fucking know, I'm not daft. But knowing it isn't enough to make you stop. Junkies are more than aware that they are junkies when their arms are falling off from gangrene, yet they still stick a dirty needle in. Drunks will drink even they are desperate not to. Self knowledge affords us nothing." -p210
I found the memoir got a lot more interesting when it caught up to the year 2011 (last quarter of the memoir). It had a lot more detail into her psyche, which I think is attributed by her being able to write from her (then) current thoughts, instead of trying to recount her thoughts, where memory of course is not as accurate. As a memoir, I think I also would've preferred maybe some pictures, or something to make it more personal, to involve the reader a bit more. There were too many assumptions made since the reader is supposed to be the 'children'. We are not even told the names of the children which I found absurd when she'd make comments like, oh that song is what we named you after etc. I found it hard to be sympathetic, to engage in her narrative because I felt too much like an outsider; I wasn't her, nor was I her children, I was confused for a lot of the novel until the end where she finally explains why she wrote the memoir (pro tip: that would've been useful in the intro).
For more reviews, please visit my blog Looking for the Panacea.
Please click for here the full review posted on my blog.
The narrative was very colloquial, and lacked the eloquent prose that would subtly convey to the reader that the author wasn't actually a unstable nut case. I found it unusual that the memoir starts with her as an addict, there doesn't seem to be a "pre-alcohol" Suzanne, so the addiction to alcohol doesn't just come to define her - from the beginning, it does define her. That being said, she obviously had a rough life, and I thought did quite a good job of explaining the mindset of an addict. My favourite passage was probably:
"It's not as if I don't realize I have a drink problem. Of course I fucking know, I'm not daft. But knowing it isn't enough to make you stop. Junkies are more than aware that they are junkies when their arms are falling off from gangrene, yet they still stick a dirty needle in. Drunks will drink even they are desperate not to. Self knowledge affords us nothing." -p210
I found the memoir got a lot more interesting when it caught up to the year 2011 (last quarter of the memoir). It had a lot more detail into her psyche, which I think is attributed by her being able to write from her (then) current thoughts, instead of trying to recount her thoughts, where memory of course is not as accurate. As a memoir, I think I also would've preferred maybe some pictures, or something to make it more personal, to involve the reader a bit more. There were too many assumptions made since the reader is supposed to be the 'children'. We are not even told the names of the children which I found absurd when she'd make comments like, oh that song is what we named you after etc. I found it hard to be sympathetic, to engage in her narrative because I felt too much like an outsider; I wasn't her, nor was I her children, I was confused for a lot of the novel until the end where she finally explains why she wrote the memoir (pro tip: that would've been useful in the intro).
For more reviews, please visit my blog Looking for the Panacea.
June 14, 2013
Suzanne Harrington's The Liberty Tree was written for her children. Those two children no longer have a living father, but by writing this book she has made sure that they will always know him - and her.
The Liberty Tree is not just the story of Leo, but the story of Suzanne Harrington too, and at times it makes for some very difficult reading. Not difficult in the sense that the writing is bad, far from it, but difficult emotionally. This is a powerful, raw and startlingly honest story that has been bravely written.
Suzanne Harrington was an alcoholic, and a drug user. Her husband Leo liked to party, but knew his limits. Leo was a small, worried man, Suzanne was a larger than life, devil-may-care type of person. As Suzanne slowly disintegrated into the blurry life of the seasoned drinker, Leo disintegrated into himself. They produced two children, they tried to provide a happy home, despite finding themselves homeless, despite the drink and despite the fact that deep-down they didn't love each other.
If I'd met Suzanne Harrington years ago, when she was a drunken wreck, I probably wouldn't have liked her, she was rude, she was selfish and she cared little for anything else except drink. If I met Suzanne Harrington today, I'd want to hug her. She has exposed every little part of herself in this memoir, she doesn't try to justify her actions, she is honest - with herself and with her children.
The Liberty Tree is a wonderful, wonderful read - I laughed, I gasped and yes, I cried. I cried for Suzanne and for Leo and for their two children. The story is not all sobbing and sadness though, it is also warm and funny and touching and I grew to love all of the players in this amazing story.
Suzanne Harrington's children are lucky. Lucky to have a mother who has faced up to her failings, turned herself around and written this amazing account for them, something that they can treasure and be proud of for ever.
The Liberty Tree is not just the story of Leo, but the story of Suzanne Harrington too, and at times it makes for some very difficult reading. Not difficult in the sense that the writing is bad, far from it, but difficult emotionally. This is a powerful, raw and startlingly honest story that has been bravely written.
Suzanne Harrington was an alcoholic, and a drug user. Her husband Leo liked to party, but knew his limits. Leo was a small, worried man, Suzanne was a larger than life, devil-may-care type of person. As Suzanne slowly disintegrated into the blurry life of the seasoned drinker, Leo disintegrated into himself. They produced two children, they tried to provide a happy home, despite finding themselves homeless, despite the drink and despite the fact that deep-down they didn't love each other.
If I'd met Suzanne Harrington years ago, when she was a drunken wreck, I probably wouldn't have liked her, she was rude, she was selfish and she cared little for anything else except drink. If I met Suzanne Harrington today, I'd want to hug her. She has exposed every little part of herself in this memoir, she doesn't try to justify her actions, she is honest - with herself and with her children.
The Liberty Tree is a wonderful, wonderful read - I laughed, I gasped and yes, I cried. I cried for Suzanne and for Leo and for their two children. The story is not all sobbing and sadness though, it is also warm and funny and touching and I grew to love all of the players in this amazing story.
Suzanne Harrington's children are lucky. Lucky to have a mother who has faced up to her failings, turned herself around and written this amazing account for them, something that they can treasure and be proud of for ever.
August 2, 2013
This was sent in exchange for an honest review.
This has been the first memoir I have read and I must say it's taken me completely out of my comfort zone. I was interested in this book for that reason. I am finding this really hard to review as this is someone's life and not made up, I feel like I'm judging it, something I don't feel comfortable with doing.
I was surprised with this read, I didn't think I was going to enjoy it, mainly because of the content, however I would say I was intrigued to continue reading to find answers along the way.
The Liberty Tree begins with description of finding a person hanging from a tree in a wood/forest, this I must say had me hooked right from the beginning. The narration of the book is by Suzanne, she is telling her and her husbands story to her kids, she states she wanted to tell his life. This is the only thing I think that does not ring true, it's mainly about her life and during the memoir I find you develop a feeling of dislike towards the woman, she comes across as uncaring and insensitive sometimes towards her husband Leo.
The story goes right back to the beginning when Suzanne met Leo and takes us on a journey of their lives together. I particularly enjoyed the sections of the book where they are travelling in India, I am a keen traveller myself and India is a place to visit high on my list, I felt that I joined them on their journey there and really enjoyed this part, I found out new things about India and beaches I didn't expect to be there. I thought this section in the book was written especially well.
Although I did enjoy it, I still maintain this was not a story about him, it was a story about her and her life. Throughout the memoir I also feel sympathy is wanted, this however I could not give, there was never a time when she accepted responsibility, there was always an excuse and someone/ something to blame.
I did feel I was reading someones diary at times and felt that I was always on the outside, somethings we never find out such as her children's names, even though there are references in the book to why they are named the way they are. I would have loved this book to have some photographs in of their travels as I feel it would have helped with the connection and made you feel not such an outsider.
Like I said I enjoyed aspects of the book, I think it being so far out my comfort zone is something I had to personally battle with, saying this it didn't take me long to finish the book I read it in two sittings.
This has been the first memoir I have read and I must say it's taken me completely out of my comfort zone. I was interested in this book for that reason. I am finding this really hard to review as this is someone's life and not made up, I feel like I'm judging it, something I don't feel comfortable with doing.
I was surprised with this read, I didn't think I was going to enjoy it, mainly because of the content, however I would say I was intrigued to continue reading to find answers along the way.
The Liberty Tree begins with description of finding a person hanging from a tree in a wood/forest, this I must say had me hooked right from the beginning. The narration of the book is by Suzanne, she is telling her and her husbands story to her kids, she states she wanted to tell his life. This is the only thing I think that does not ring true, it's mainly about her life and during the memoir I find you develop a feeling of dislike towards the woman, she comes across as uncaring and insensitive sometimes towards her husband Leo.
The story goes right back to the beginning when Suzanne met Leo and takes us on a journey of their lives together. I particularly enjoyed the sections of the book where they are travelling in India, I am a keen traveller myself and India is a place to visit high on my list, I felt that I joined them on their journey there and really enjoyed this part, I found out new things about India and beaches I didn't expect to be there. I thought this section in the book was written especially well.
Although I did enjoy it, I still maintain this was not a story about him, it was a story about her and her life. Throughout the memoir I also feel sympathy is wanted, this however I could not give, there was never a time when she accepted responsibility, there was always an excuse and someone/ something to blame.
I did feel I was reading someones diary at times and felt that I was always on the outside, somethings we never find out such as her children's names, even though there are references in the book to why they are named the way they are. I would have loved this book to have some photographs in of their travels as I feel it would have helped with the connection and made you feel not such an outsider.
Like I said I enjoyed aspects of the book, I think it being so far out my comfort zone is something I had to personally battle with, saying this it didn't take me long to finish the book I read it in two sittings.
August 24, 2017
This book moved me. It was so open, funny and angry, it felt like a conversation with a really good friend. I hope Suzanne writes more memoirs. I would love to know her and River's story. I am in awe of her sticking it out with AA and growing through the process. Made me think again about Al-Anon.
January 30, 2019
Read it in less than 24 hours, I was blown away by this book. I am only disappointed I have not found a heap more similar books to read. Loved it.
June 3, 2014
Suzanne Harrington has led an uncompromising life and details it in brutal honesty in The Liberty Tree. Personally, I loved the book - I demolished it in two days, laying on my couch, completely absorbed in the author's antics. The book is about alcoholism and addiction, but it is also about friendships, love, parenting, hope and redemption.
The author certainly makes no effort to portray herself in a positive light. She continually explains away her self-destructive actions by stating that she was immature, lacked any insight, was emotionally unstable/unavailable, drugged up and occasionally psychotic. She takes pains to keep reminding us how unstable she was (as if it wasn't blindingly obvious.) What we never find out is why she was so completely crazy in the first place. If we knew, it would help us as readers to have more empathy with her plight. Was her craziness hereditary? The author's family, when they are momentarily discussed, seem to be 'normal'.
The story of the author's marriage to Leo leaves a lot of questions unanswered. Leo remains a mystery to the reader - he is polite and gentle and can hold down a job but he seems incapable of voicing an opinion or having any identity at all, outside his role as the author's enabler. I find that by the end of the novel I am wanting to know much more about Leo, and I find it strange that the author doesn't appear to share my craving - especially since he was her husband and the father of her children. Leo dies and is buried and remains as unknowable in death as he was in life. If the purpose of the book was to tell the author's children all about their father, then I think the book fails.
The beauty of The Liberty Tree is that it tells us how not to live a life. It's searing, uncomfortable honesty is absorbing and repelling at the same time. I commend the author for having the courage, and the obvious talent, to write so unashamedly of her life.
The author certainly makes no effort to portray herself in a positive light. She continually explains away her self-destructive actions by stating that she was immature, lacked any insight, was emotionally unstable/unavailable, drugged up and occasionally psychotic. She takes pains to keep reminding us how unstable she was (as if it wasn't blindingly obvious.) What we never find out is why she was so completely crazy in the first place. If we knew, it would help us as readers to have more empathy with her plight. Was her craziness hereditary? The author's family, when they are momentarily discussed, seem to be 'normal'.
The story of the author's marriage to Leo leaves a lot of questions unanswered. Leo remains a mystery to the reader - he is polite and gentle and can hold down a job but he seems incapable of voicing an opinion or having any identity at all, outside his role as the author's enabler. I find that by the end of the novel I am wanting to know much more about Leo, and I find it strange that the author doesn't appear to share my craving - especially since he was her husband and the father of her children. Leo dies and is buried and remains as unknowable in death as he was in life. If the purpose of the book was to tell the author's children all about their father, then I think the book fails.
The beauty of The Liberty Tree is that it tells us how not to live a life. It's searing, uncomfortable honesty is absorbing and repelling at the same time. I commend the author for having the courage, and the obvious talent, to write so unashamedly of her life.
June 15, 2013
This book took some guts to write.
Because it can’t be easy writing a book directed to your kids about the sometimes very dark days in your life and how their (then ex-husband to the author) father, Leo, commited suicide. The Liberty Tree is in part an ode to Leo and in part a very revealing and emotionally heavy autobiography.
Thankfully, Suzanne Harrington has the writing skills to make a sad story compelling and somewhat entertaining to read. You get the feeling nothing is spared in the pages, no secret is left unrevealed. And for that: big kudos to the writer.
Read the rest of my review here: The Liberty Tree - a Review
Because it can’t be easy writing a book directed to your kids about the sometimes very dark days in your life and how their (then ex-husband to the author) father, Leo, commited suicide. The Liberty Tree is in part an ode to Leo and in part a very revealing and emotionally heavy autobiography.
Thankfully, Suzanne Harrington has the writing skills to make a sad story compelling and somewhat entertaining to read. You get the feeling nothing is spared in the pages, no secret is left unrevealed. And for that: big kudos to the writer.
Read the rest of my review here: The Liberty Tree - a Review
February 16, 2015
This starts off sounding pretentious and self-absorbed. The literary equivalent of a selfie. The kind of boastful crap you'll hear as drunken table conversation at any backpackers hostel on any given night of the week. Then, just like the author's life, it reaches a tipping point, taking you on an emotional journey through deterioration, loss, confusion, re-adjustment, and recovery. The last few chapters are some of the most compassionate, loving, wise, honest, and heart-felt statements you'll ever read. Truly a gift for those willing to receive it.
September 30, 2013
I was attracted to this book because I've lived in some of the same places, and some of her experiences are familiar to me. It's a very honest book, and despite its bleakness often funny. At times, though, I felt the chatty writing style threatened to unbalance its more serious side.
October 28, 2014
loved this gave me great insight into drink and drugs and how it effects everyone physically and mentally. excellent book
August 2, 2014
about one woman's struggle to free herself from the shackles of drug and alcoholism
February 5, 2014
booooooring
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews