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Down the Rabbit Hole: A Memoir of Abuse, Addiction and Recovery
A B.R.A.G. medallion winner and Independent Author's Network finalist for book of the year, “Down the Rabbit A Memoir of Abuse, Addiction and Recovery” chronicles the life of Kate Russell as she journeys from abused child of alcoholics, to recovering addict. Exploring the triggered state, a.k.a. “rabbit-holing,” Kate details how escaping into her mind went from a coping mechanism to a self-destructive pattern of negative thinking. Told in short story format, “Down the Rabbit Hole” is 62 chapters of true stories which detail how Kate survived her abusive parents, started to become them, then chose recovery and broke the cycle. Heartbreaking, darkly humorous and inspirational, “Down the Rabbit Hole” is a must read for child abuse survivors, addicts, or anyone who is interested in exploring how broken minds work.
206 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 17, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 13, 2023
*I received a free DRC of this book, with thanks to the author. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
A harrowing memoir of the author’s childhood, raised by two alcoholic parents, that doesn’t shy away from any of the raw emotions or painful details.
This makes for somewhat bleak reading at first, until the author manages to begin the healing process against tremendous odds and start to work her way through recovery from her past and a more hopeful future.
While a searing indictment of her parents, Kate Russell shows utter honesty as she lays out her own issues with anger and addiction too, not sparing herself from the litany of destruction that her upbringing embroiled her in.
As an outsider reading, what struck me most was how difficult it is to separate out and impartially process our feelings for the people who are supposed to love and protect us. Again and again, we read the author’s pain and anger at the failings of her mother; the same failings she finds herself able to excuse and understand in her father. There are even moments in which her mother is blamed for inciting or deserving her father’s violent actions, which made for hard and uncomfortable reading, and really made me think about how we adapt our thinking to survive horrific situations.
This is certainly not an easy book to read, but it is an important story for anyone suffering from addiction issues themself or in a loved one, and I appreciate how difficult it must have been for the author to open her heart and her darkest memories for us, to prove that these cycles CAN be broken.
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
A harrowing memoir of the author’s childhood, raised by two alcoholic parents, that doesn’t shy away from any of the raw emotions or painful details.
This makes for somewhat bleak reading at first, until the author manages to begin the healing process against tremendous odds and start to work her way through recovery from her past and a more hopeful future.
While a searing indictment of her parents, Kate Russell shows utter honesty as she lays out her own issues with anger and addiction too, not sparing herself from the litany of destruction that her upbringing embroiled her in.
As an outsider reading, what struck me most was how difficult it is to separate out and impartially process our feelings for the people who are supposed to love and protect us. Again and again, we read the author’s pain and anger at the failings of her mother; the same failings she finds herself able to excuse and understand in her father. There are even moments in which her mother is blamed for inciting or deserving her father’s violent actions, which made for hard and uncomfortable reading, and really made me think about how we adapt our thinking to survive horrific situations.
This is certainly not an easy book to read, but it is an important story for anyone suffering from addiction issues themself or in a loved one, and I appreciate how difficult it must have been for the author to open her heart and her darkest memories for us, to prove that these cycles CAN be broken.
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
December 16, 2022
Zero self awareness. Comes across as extremely unlikable. Whiny throughout the book as she complains about her parents being whiny. There were lots of instances of horrible abuse (mostly her mom), so it just seemed more negative than necessary when she whines about the petty things. She excuses and forgives her mom, and yet doesn't do the same with her dad at the end. Was his last letter to her perfect? No, but he was obviously trying. He admits wrongdoing and regret but because he doesn't say the words "I'm sorry" without excuse, she cuts him out of her life. Also, I read a lot of memoirs and know that you have to breach other peoples' privacy somewhat, but it felt gross when she read the last correspondences between her and her father word for word. It was vulnerable and obviously something that was meant to be only for her. She comes off as extremely self-righteous, especially at the end. She can't even hide her condescension for random people who hold political views opposite of her own. She divulges the worst things that everyone else around her ever did, but chooses to portray herself as almost perfect. It would have been more realistic and relatable if she would have been a little more vulnerable and honest about the mistakes she made in her life, especially as a result of alcohol and pot (she very lightly touched on yelling at her sister and a one-night-stand that wasn't really a one-night-stand), especially since she is so harsh to everyone else around her. I find it hard to believe that she didn't make any mistakes or do anything bad as an addict if that's what she was. She's even condescending about things as petty as the run-on sentences in her dad's last letter to her. I listened to the audiobook, and her voice was whiny, nasally, and annoying to listen to.
Edit: it's perfectly fine for an author to review their own book, it's embarrassing when they leave a glowing review while pretending to be someone else.
Edit: it's perfectly fine for an author to review their own book, it's embarrassing when they leave a glowing review while pretending to be someone else.
August 11, 2022
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Down the Rabbit Hole: A Memoir of Abuse, Addiction and Recovery
Author: Kate Russell
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Number of Readers: 17
Stats
Editing: 7/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Content: 9/10
Cover: 2/5
Of the 17 readers:
16 would read another book by this author.
8 thought the cover was good or excellent.
17 felt it was easy to follow.
17 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 9 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘subject knowledge’.
Of all the readers, 3 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
Of all the readers, 5 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘clarity of message’.
17 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
17 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“A gripping story of a woman who survived childhood with alcoholic parents and how she escaped the downward spiral of being an addict. Very sad, but with an element of there´s light at the end of the tunnel.” Male reader, aged 44
“Not an enjoyable read in any way, but it is educational. I would recommend it to anybody who is traumatised by childhood and is battling addiction. The writing style is simple and easy to follow. The editing is poor with several small errors, but not difficult to fix.” Female reader, aged 51
“I think many people who are in recovery from addiction will find this book interesting and possibly even comforting. There´s a chatty sort of feel to it, and the honesty of the author is there on every page. There´s even a little humour here and there! Thoroughly compelling.” Male reader, aged 67
To Sum It Up:
‘A gripping memoir of a woman´s harrowing upbringing and her battle with addiction. A FINALIST and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: Down the Rabbit Hole: A Memoir of Abuse, Addiction and Recovery
Author: Kate Russell
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Number of Readers: 17
Stats
Editing: 7/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Content: 9/10
Cover: 2/5
Of the 17 readers:
16 would read another book by this author.
8 thought the cover was good or excellent.
17 felt it was easy to follow.
17 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 9 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘subject knowledge’.
Of all the readers, 3 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
Of all the readers, 5 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘clarity of message’.
17 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
17 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“A gripping story of a woman who survived childhood with alcoholic parents and how she escaped the downward spiral of being an addict. Very sad, but with an element of there´s light at the end of the tunnel.” Male reader, aged 44
“Not an enjoyable read in any way, but it is educational. I would recommend it to anybody who is traumatised by childhood and is battling addiction. The writing style is simple and easy to follow. The editing is poor with several small errors, but not difficult to fix.” Female reader, aged 51
“I think many people who are in recovery from addiction will find this book interesting and possibly even comforting. There´s a chatty sort of feel to it, and the honesty of the author is there on every page. There´s even a little humour here and there! Thoroughly compelling.” Male reader, aged 67
To Sum It Up:
‘A gripping memoir of a woman´s harrowing upbringing and her battle with addiction. A FINALIST and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
August 17, 2020
Down The Rabbit Hole is a heartbreaking journey of self-discovery through pain and addiction that will make you appreciate your childhood, no matter how difficult.
Kate describes in stunning detail her turbulent childhood and young adulthood riddled with alcohol and drug abuse at first by her abusive parents and then repeated by herself. An easy read – because you won’t want to put it down – told through short stories and vignettes that will have you visually putting together the pieces of Kate’s life, as she has so valiantly done for herself.
Her unwavering dream to become an actor is as inspiring as it is gut-punching. Kate’s story is terrifying and triumphant. Frankly, it is a flat-out miracle she not only survived, but broke the cycle and appears to be thriving. Bravo, Kate. We support you.
Kate describes in stunning detail her turbulent childhood and young adulthood riddled with alcohol and drug abuse at first by her abusive parents and then repeated by herself. An easy read – because you won’t want to put it down – told through short stories and vignettes that will have you visually putting together the pieces of Kate’s life, as she has so valiantly done for herself.
Her unwavering dream to become an actor is as inspiring as it is gut-punching. Kate’s story is terrifying and triumphant. Frankly, it is a flat-out miracle she not only survived, but broke the cycle and appears to be thriving. Bravo, Kate. We support you.
February 28, 2024
Wow!
Awesome book of survival. Different circumstances but I have still so many things I can relate to in this author’s own personal story. I lived through the same traumatic experiences for the most part & I too went down a road of self-destruction. Then I became sober & got the right type of help I needed. I had no idea how broken I was. When I first read the title , “Down the Rabbit Hole”, I automatically thought about my years of dissociating or those many times after traumatic chaos & I would be in my own head trying to pretend the chaos didn’t exist. This book is so inspiring & I am glad I found it!
Awesome book of survival. Different circumstances but I have still so many things I can relate to in this author’s own personal story. I lived through the same traumatic experiences for the most part & I too went down a road of self-destruction. Then I became sober & got the right type of help I needed. I had no idea how broken I was. When I first read the title , “Down the Rabbit Hole”, I automatically thought about my years of dissociating or those many times after traumatic chaos & I would be in my own head trying to pretend the chaos didn’t exist. This book is so inspiring & I am glad I found it!
April 9, 2021
very disappointing.
very poor grammar and spelling. For example koolats for coulottes.. Stating numerous times how her mother did nothing but sleep all day and then talks about her working. Claims how poor tney were but still got music, acting and dance lessons and a house with a pool?. seems to not realize that due to her abuse and abandonment issues she resorted to using her body to keep from being alone. Her wounds are still bleeding and my heart goes out to her.
very poor grammar and spelling. For example koolats for coulottes.. Stating numerous times how her mother did nothing but sleep all day and then talks about her working. Claims how poor tney were but still got music, acting and dance lessons and a house with a pool?. seems to not realize that due to her abuse and abandonment issues she resorted to using her body to keep from being alone. Her wounds are still bleeding and my heart goes out to her.
March 25, 2021
We are proud to announce that DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE by Kate Russell is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells readers that this book is well worth their time and money
April 25, 2020
Impossible to put down. Both drily funny and yet often terrifying, this is a raw, unflinching account of a chaotic and abusive childhood overcome by inner strength and an enduring sense of humor.
Just reading the first chapters of the book I had to put it down because of how real and intense it felt. Then I just had to keep reading to know what happened next. The childhood that Kate had gone through is disturbing but also shows the resiliency of the human spirit and overcoming the pain of the past. It's a fantastic read!
When we think of addiction, we often only think of the addict. This book opens your eyes to all sides of addiction, especially the impact that parents have on their growing children and the paths the go down as they become adults. The author certainly tumbled down the rabbit hole - and takes us there with her to understand the experience!
This book was very close to my own life, having had alcoholic parents and then becoming one. I love an honest story of redemption and overcoming trauma and abuse (sometimes self inflicted). The author's words may some day help many who struggle and think they're alone. There is help, if you want it. A great read, highly recommended!
This book is very easy to read. The sincerity of the author to expose the trials and tribulations she endured kept me enticed. The terror she experienced as a child growing up with drug/alcohol addicted parents. A Violent Father who worked on Tour in Broadway productions and a Mother who went from Jeckle to Hyde -the insanity switch. In the end, Kate wins. A touching, inspiration she becomes.
It is a memoir written by the person who lived these experiences. I was drawn into the story.. and read a long book quickly. Then I had to read it a second time.
I won't lie; this is a hard book to read. There are moments when you want to reach into the narrative, and positively shake one of the participants. "Can't you see what's happening?", your mind screams. The payoff, though is that the author survived. We cheer for her throughout - even during some bad decisions. We go down the rabbit hole with her... thankful that we'll all come back out.
As a child of an addict, I found comfort in this story and journey. Kate is an incredible writer and her humor is a perfect way to deliver such a moving message.
Kate's journey is interesting and a inner study of ones quest to free themselves of the addiction that comes from a hard up bringing. I recommend this read as it a raw reading of her journey to find strength and the victory at the end of the road.
Just reading the first chapters of the book I had to put it down because of how real and intense it felt. Then I just had to keep reading to know what happened next. The childhood that Kate had gone through is disturbing but also shows the resiliency of the human spirit and overcoming the pain of the past. It's a fantastic read!
When we think of addiction, we often only think of the addict. This book opens your eyes to all sides of addiction, especially the impact that parents have on their growing children and the paths the go down as they become adults. The author certainly tumbled down the rabbit hole - and takes us there with her to understand the experience!
This book was very close to my own life, having had alcoholic parents and then becoming one. I love an honest story of redemption and overcoming trauma and abuse (sometimes self inflicted). The author's words may some day help many who struggle and think they're alone. There is help, if you want it. A great read, highly recommended!
This book is very easy to read. The sincerity of the author to expose the trials and tribulations she endured kept me enticed. The terror she experienced as a child growing up with drug/alcohol addicted parents. A Violent Father who worked on Tour in Broadway productions and a Mother who went from Jeckle to Hyde -the insanity switch. In the end, Kate wins. A touching, inspiration she becomes.
It is a memoir written by the person who lived these experiences. I was drawn into the story.. and read a long book quickly. Then I had to read it a second time.
I won't lie; this is a hard book to read. There are moments when you want to reach into the narrative, and positively shake one of the participants. "Can't you see what's happening?", your mind screams. The payoff, though is that the author survived. We cheer for her throughout - even during some bad decisions. We go down the rabbit hole with her... thankful that we'll all come back out.
As a child of an addict, I found comfort in this story and journey. Kate is an incredible writer and her humor is a perfect way to deliver such a moving message.
Kate's journey is interesting and a inner study of ones quest to free themselves of the addiction that comes from a hard up bringing. I recommend this read as it a raw reading of her journey to find strength and the victory at the end of the road.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews