My Name is Amelia, and I'm a Sociopath

by Amy D. Brooks

For nearly a decade, a novelist wrote gripping, scandalous, and often disturbing fiction using her life as a canvas and herself as the protagonist in a massive web of lies.

In this revealing memoir by author Amy D. Brooks, the complex untruths told by the young woman to disguise a tragic mental state declining into drug addiction and alcoholism are deconstructed in shocking honesty. The confessions of a pathological liar who married a stranger, held jobs qualified for with phantom degrees, and found her way into national news and courtrooms alike as the result of her fictional personae are transcribed in this tale of the author's eccentric journey to sobriety, truth, and spiritual salvation.

Genres: Memoir, Mental Illness

207 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was interesting, but I'm not buying all of it. It could be based in reality, but I think there was a lot of exaggeration also. And the ending was predictable. A fair amount of grammatical errors also bothered me. On the other hand, I was interested in it initially; so that's why I gave it a two.

[ken piela]

Sometimes hard to believe

Not a well written book.Seemed to be unbelievable as times, places and stories didn't always make sense.Save your money.I'm glad I borrowed this book

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

She's not a sociopath, but she is a very selfish person with little regard for the people around her. This book was hard to finish because despite her attempting to frame this book as "coming clean" about her dishonesty, it really reads like a bunch of fabrications.

[Izabela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating look into a drugged-up, lie-filled life. Fast-paced and consistently interesting, My Name is Amelia and I'm a Sociopath will stay with you long after you finish it.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book full of what are referred to in recovery circles like AA and Al-Anon as "war stories." The exact type people in recovery are discouraged from rattling off at meetings, for the reason that they accomplish exactly nothing. This is what I was left feeling at times in this book. The stories are graphic and descriptive but left me with so many questions - she never gets to the "why" of her pathological lying and drug abuse. She mentions her father's suicide, her mother's distracted nature, but she never really drills down into these subjects, which I believe are at the heart of Amy's whole story.

She spends hundreds of pages on war stories and less than one on her sobriety.

The title of the book is sensational and misleading. I knew she wasn't a true sociopath, since she does express basic remorse throughout the entire book.

She needs an editor...there were misspellings and the italics were annoying.

Overall...eh. I think she has a really good book in her but she needs to be willing to talk about the meat of these issues, not just rattling off the terrible (and there are many) things she has done with very little introspection.

[SweetAnnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

I have been a dedicated memoir reader since adolescence, reading anything classified as a memoir- whether it was written by a famous person or by a "regular" guy. Never have I read anything so honest and moving.

I would recommend this book to many different types of people- teenagers just starting out on their own in the world, anyone living with addiction, or anyone who loves someone who is living with addiction.

I admire Amy Brooks for her brutal honesty, even when it was unpretty...I know "nice girls from nice families" are encouraged, sometimes wordlessly to tell. "pretty stories"- truth is a secondary issue. Her husband, who remains unnamed throughout this tale, deserves a medal for the most dedication to the til death do the parting section of his marital vows that I have ever witnessed.

I am glad our paths never crossed while Amy was in the throes of her addiction, but I would happily have a Diet Coke with her today.

[Lottaquixotic · Rating 4 out of 5]

The poor reviews baffle me. This was a fascinating personal story and well written. Most of what we read contains its' imperfections, but even with those minor distractions, Ms. Brooks' writing is definitely enjoyable. I had trouble putting this one down, which I can not say for the multitude of books that collect their virtual dust in my digital library. Kudos for the courage to be transparent among the tribes of the self-righteous and unmerciful, Amy. Your story is a worthy read. I look forward to your evolving works.

[Fang Chen · Rating 2 out of 5]

“My Name is Amelia and I'm a Sociopath” revealed the author told a great many lies, more than I would have thought possible, and had a drug, alcohol, and fidelity problem. A self professed sociopath, she is not a very likable character. It was hard for me to read this to the end when I had no sympathy for her.

[Jenn Adams · Rating 1 out of 5]

I skipped the entire epilogue when Amy started talking about her sobriety in terms of years. It is currently July 2013 and has barely been a single year.

This book just wasn't what I thought it would be. Very disappointed. Kind of wanted to smack the author upside her head for how smug she was about herself even at the end.

[Tammy Finch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read. It's about a poor lady who hits bottom several times because of her addiction and finally, on the verge of death, seeks help. 85% of the book is her story of drug and alcohol abuse and some is pretty graphic. This was well written and kept my interest. I would recommend it. I'll probably read more from this author.

[Marjorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Given To Me For An Honest Review

This book is about a young woman who is plague by serious mental illness along with alcohol and drug abuse. She is able to work and obtain things without any valid proof of experience or education. Which is amazing how she does it. This story follows her through her lowest lows and through her healing. Good Read.

[Chris · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is a miserable slog through a miserable person using a miserable writing style and technique.

I suffered through sixteen percent or so before realizing that what's-her-face couldn't write, nor could any of her invented personalities.

Save yourself time and suffering. Give this book a pass.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining and infuriating at the same time. You cannot help but loathe the author after reading this book. I think that she should have mentioned her husband more, and how he could have possibly dealt with her. Also, I have a suspicion that most of this book is bs.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I spent most of this book pacing the floor exclaiming "She did what?!!" and then texting people about how insane her life is. Not the most literary book ever but interesting and stimulating.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Took me ages to get through as a lot of it was repetitive... But it was well written and at times quite interesting.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a ton of potential here. The author's life seems to teem with curious sexual, spiritual, ethical, and historical configuration. An editor will clean this up and make for an easier read.

[BECKY THOMPSON · Rating 3 out of 5]

Powerful,moving story

this is a brutally honest account of the dark road addiction takes you down. I hope this young woman is,able to stay clean and sober.

[Toni Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This can't be true.

Could a person really be that conniving, or are people they stupid to fall for all her lies? Regardless, I enjoyed this book.

[Michael Prendergast · Rating 1 out of 5]

Narcisist

Ugh! I can't take any more of this self promoting book. This is one of the worst books I've ever tried to read.