The Sun is Gone: A Sister Lost in Secrets, Shame, and Addiction, and How I Broke Free

by Jodee Prouse

This is not a partial glimpse of addiction--it is the whole story. It begins with a violent childhood that bonded two children together forever, perhaps setting the stage for what was to come. Jodee's younger brother Brett became an alcoholic. And she the sister of an alcoholic.
As he walked the thin line between life and death, she experienced gut-wrenching highs and lows, obsessively doing everything she could to get his life back on track, sacrificing her own young children, marriage, career, and personal health. Her love for him and his dependence on her would last them a lifetime and almost destroy them both. Like the millions of people worldwide who love someone addicted to drugs or alcohol, Jodee believed she was doing all the right things.
Written with extreme candor, no shame, and in the hope of helping other families get help for themselves as well as their loved ones, The Sun is Gone sheds a bright light on the often-disturbing reality of the progression of alcoholism and what goes on behind closed doors.

Genres: Nonfiction

272 pages, Paperback

Published March 20, 2017

Reviews

[Kari Beasley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing, heartfelt, and heart wrenching story. I was hooked from the beginning. Yes, this is a memior, yes, it is honest, yes, it is a painful read; butbworth it. You can't help but get sucked into Jodee and Brett's lives, even if you have no experience with addiction.

It is sad there is still suchna stigma attached to addiction, despite all the gains medically that have been made showing it is an illness, not just someones decision, even if it begins innocently enough.

Thank you Jodee for writing the story of your and your brother's lives. I am honored to have read this book.

[Susan Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is n honest and heartbreaking look at addiction. The book shows what its like to be a relative of an alcoholic. The Author does a great job and describing all the heart break she has gone thru.

[Vera Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So hard to be in a home where alcohol takes over. Many a night when things got so bad, Mom would take the 2 small kids and leave. Sometime ends up in a low rate motel, her Mom's house, or just part car out of sight so husband couldn't see them. After years of this, finally seperated.

Most would think a child going thru this would stay away from alcohol. But he become very hooked on this. When you don't admit problem, can make it hard on you and your family. Times and times out of hospital and detox. Right back and even worst.

Very heartbreaking book. But makes the reader think.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank You Goodreads for my free copy of The Sun Is Gone
Thank You Jodee for sharing your story with the world. It must have been a hard story to write
Exposing yourself and your family to your life with an addict. The ups and downs and how living with
an addict can tear the whole family apart
God Bless You Jodee

[Lori Byrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartbreaking book about a sister trying everything she knows to help her brother through alcohol addiction. My heart goes out to the family and especially Jodee who lost so much more. This book was about Jodee's journey too to understand family dynamics about what works and what doesn't in certain circumstances. Heartbreaking.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A painful, heartfelt telling of one sister’s journey through her brother’s alcohol addiction. The story is raw and real, the love beautiful. I highly recommend this book.

I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hard to read story.

[Terri Bond · Rating 3 out of 5]

a must read for anybody living with addiction.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a heartfelt yet heart wrenching tale. Truly enjoyed this book

[Samantha Winchester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning and raw account of life with an addict. I have been reading more about co-dependence and Jodee's story is truly a two roads taken tale.

[Crystal]

Never had I read a book from an authors point of view in which I felt as many emotions as I had from the beginning until the end. It is the progression that causes shame, blame, denial, dysfunction, unhealthy family relationship, heredity, environment, codependency, trauma, mental illness, hope, love forgiveness (Prouse, 2016). The haunting fact remains too, that much of what may appear to be an innocent ritual for mental escape or a relief from day to day realities, can result in turmoil. Each page provokes anticipation and a wealth of health related knowledge. The tales of debate or arguments around the spirit of truth can no longer wait. I too agree with the overall purpose to publish works around a conversation that needs the world's attention. I am sure reader's would be mentally on edge yet boggled by the relentless cycle of pain in silence that stems from real life relatable experiences mentioned. I love how the author notates in the book, advice given to her children : I am not for perfection but to live each day to make for practice toward perfection as a great role model. It is so much more important to practice what we may chose to one day perfect in this life as none are perfect but we are all EQUAL.The Sun Is Gone: A Sister Lost in Secrets, Shame, and Addiction, and How I Broke Free

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very moving memoir about the author and her alcoholic brother that follows them from childhood until his tragic end. A very clear look at substance abuse and the effect it has on the addict and also all those around him or her. This book stands as a warning and a lesson for anyone dealing with a family member or friend suffering from substance abuse, not just alcohol but any type of substance abuse. A moving and important read that comes from the author's heart.

I received this book as part of a goodreads giveaway but the opinions expressed are solely my own.

[Geraldine Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Addiction from a sister's viewpoint: how it affects her, her siblings, her marriage, her children- brutally honest, devastating to read and impossible to put down. So many people have this story- I am grateful Jodee found the strength to tell hers.

I received this book as a goodreads givaway