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Truths from an Unreliable Witness: Finding laughter in the darkest of places
A fiercely honest and wryly funny memoir from one of Australia's most loved comedians shows us that no matter how far down you get, there is always a way back.
Fiona O'Loughlin was raised in the generation of children who were to be seen, but not heard ... unless there were guests in the house. Then she'd watch everyone, telling stories, making each other laugh. This was where she discovered the rhythm of stories and the lubrication that alcohol leant the telling. Years later, as a mum of five, Fiona would become one of Australia's most-loved comedians, performing gigs in New York, Montreal, Singapore, London, Toronto and Edinburgh. Fiona looked like she was living her dream - but she was hiding a secret in open sight, using alcoholism as material for her comedy and using comedy as an excuse for her alcoholism.
Truths from an Unreliable Witness is a fiercely honest and wryly funny memoir of melancholy, love, marriage, the loss of love and marriage, homelessness, of hotel rooms strewn with empty mini-bar bottles of vodka, of waking from a two-week coma, of putrid drug dens and using a jungle to confront yourself. It is about hitting rock bottom and then realising you are only halfway down. Ultimately, it's about hanging on to your last straw of sanity and finding laughter in the darkest of times. You may want to sit down for this...
Fiona O'Loughlin was raised in the generation of children who were to be seen, but not heard ... unless there were guests in the house. Then she'd watch everyone, telling stories, making each other laugh. This was where she discovered the rhythm of stories and the lubrication that alcohol leant the telling. Years later, as a mum of five, Fiona would become one of Australia's most-loved comedians, performing gigs in New York, Montreal, Singapore, London, Toronto and Edinburgh. Fiona looked like she was living her dream - but she was hiding a secret in open sight, using alcoholism as material for her comedy and using comedy as an excuse for her alcoholism.
Truths from an Unreliable Witness is a fiercely honest and wryly funny memoir of melancholy, love, marriage, the loss of love and marriage, homelessness, of hotel rooms strewn with empty mini-bar bottles of vodka, of waking from a two-week coma, of putrid drug dens and using a jungle to confront yourself. It is about hitting rock bottom and then realising you are only halfway down. Ultimately, it's about hanging on to your last straw of sanity and finding laughter in the darkest of times. You may want to sit down for this...
307 pages, Paperback
Published October 27, 2020
26 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
November 10, 2020
When I read Fiona O’Loughlin’s first book, Me of the Never Never in 2012, it was as a fan of her comedy routines. I knew very little about her life other than what I’d gleaned from her stand-up, I just knew she made me laugh. I enjoyed the memoir which largely focused on her childhood, and her life as a young wife and mother of five in Australia’s outback. I remember her having recently admitted to her alcoholism, and writing about staying sober, I remember being glad for her, but now I know it was all a lie.
I didn’t really notice that over the next few years Fiona slowly seemed to disappear from the Australian comedy scene. Had I given it a passing thought I likely just assumed that she was busy doing stuff that didn’t make it on to my radar. I wouldn’t have guessed at the hell she was slipping into.
Truths From an Unreliable Witness is a raw, candid account of Fiona’s battle with alcoholism, her repeated failures to curb her addiction over the last decade or so which lead to the end of her marriage, and very nearly her career, multiple stints in rehab facilities, penury, a flirtation with meth, pills, a suicide attempt, and a coma. Fiona makes it clear that her perspective of these events is skewed by her addiction, that her memory is not always reliable, that some details are lost forever to black-outs, but this is the truth she has, and is willing to share.
I missed whatever reporting there may have been on her spectacular fall from grace so all of this came as a surprise to me. I don’t watch “I’m A Celebrity...” on which Fiona appeared in 2018 in the hopes of reviving her career, and won, despite a relapse which led her to drink hand sanitiser stolen from the production crew. It wasn’t her last relapse either, she has experienced several more since, though she now claims she has been sober for almost a year. Alcoholism is a battle never really won. Fiona it seems has come to terms with this, promising not that she is cured, but that she does her best every day not to give in to her addiction.
Fiona hopes that Truths From an Unreliable Witness will be a light in the dark, for others, and herself. Moving, confronting, and powerful, I hope it will be too.
I didn’t really notice that over the next few years Fiona slowly seemed to disappear from the Australian comedy scene. Had I given it a passing thought I likely just assumed that she was busy doing stuff that didn’t make it on to my radar. I wouldn’t have guessed at the hell she was slipping into.
Truths From an Unreliable Witness is a raw, candid account of Fiona’s battle with alcoholism, her repeated failures to curb her addiction over the last decade or so which lead to the end of her marriage, and very nearly her career, multiple stints in rehab facilities, penury, a flirtation with meth, pills, a suicide attempt, and a coma. Fiona makes it clear that her perspective of these events is skewed by her addiction, that her memory is not always reliable, that some details are lost forever to black-outs, but this is the truth she has, and is willing to share.
I missed whatever reporting there may have been on her spectacular fall from grace so all of this came as a surprise to me. I don’t watch “I’m A Celebrity...” on which Fiona appeared in 2018 in the hopes of reviving her career, and won, despite a relapse which led her to drink hand sanitiser stolen from the production crew. It wasn’t her last relapse either, she has experienced several more since, though she now claims she has been sober for almost a year. Alcoholism is a battle never really won. Fiona it seems has come to terms with this, promising not that she is cured, but that she does her best every day not to give in to her addiction.
Fiona hopes that Truths From an Unreliable Witness will be a light in the dark, for others, and herself. Moving, confronting, and powerful, I hope it will be too.
November 29, 2020
A raw and tough read.
Fiona tells it all - the good (not much of), the bad (a fair bit of) and the ugly (LOTS OF). I wanted to reach into the pages of the book and shake her and say don't do it. But Fiona was helpless not to.
A fascinating insight into one person's addiction journey and her struggles (seems such an inane word for what she has experienced).
Thank you for sharing. I wish you all the best.
Fiona tells it all - the good (not much of), the bad (a fair bit of) and the ugly (LOTS OF). I wanted to reach into the pages of the book and shake her and say don't do it. But Fiona was helpless not to.
A fascinating insight into one person's addiction journey and her struggles (seems such an inane word for what she has experienced).
Thank you for sharing. I wish you all the best.
November 21, 2020
Wow.
What a brave, gutsy and beautiful person Fiona is. To open up and bare your soul like this is to be commended. A very raw look into alcoholism and the consequences, it’s harsh at times, brutal and very honest. You are an inspiration, you just keep fighting like the gorgeous warrior that you are. I wish you only the best xx
Bravo.
What a brave, gutsy and beautiful person Fiona is. To open up and bare your soul like this is to be commended. A very raw look into alcoholism and the consequences, it’s harsh at times, brutal and very honest. You are an inspiration, you just keep fighting like the gorgeous warrior that you are. I wish you only the best xx
Bravo.
July 15, 2021
Fiona's story is my story, more or less. If anyone asks me how I survived my alcoholism, or why I did what I did I'll point them in the direction of this book. There are laughs along the way but it is relentlessly bleak too, as it should be. As it was for me. I have been a long time fan of Fiona's, before "Celebrity", before she revealed her alcoholism publicly, simply because she is one of my favourite comics. This book was bought for me by friends who are deeply grateful for my recovery and was generously signed by Fiona after one of her shows. If there is anything I've been more obsessed with in my life than alcohol it's books, and this will stand proudly amongst my treasures.
November 1, 2020
Raw and honest
Such a raw an honest memoir. Fiona really gave her heart and soul in this book and gave an honest insight into the disease that is alcoholism. I've always been a fan of Fiona's comedy but now i have great respect and admiration for her. It's a terrible disease and we as a society need to be less judgemental and not just write off "another drunk" and we need to stop normalising alcohol. It ruins people and tears families apart. Thanks Fiona for being so honest.
Such a raw an honest memoir. Fiona really gave her heart and soul in this book and gave an honest insight into the disease that is alcoholism. I've always been a fan of Fiona's comedy but now i have great respect and admiration for her. It's a terrible disease and we as a society need to be less judgemental and not just write off "another drunk" and we need to stop normalising alcohol. It ruins people and tears families apart. Thanks Fiona for being so honest.
December 22, 2021
I've enjoyed Fiona's comedy routines on tv before but this is the story of the struggles behind the laughs.
Fiona's alcoholism and attempts at recovery are described in gruesome detail.
I found it a bit of a slog towards the end but still a worthwhile read.
Good on her for telling the truth about her dark places.
Fiona's alcoholism and attempts at recovery are described in gruesome detail.
I found it a bit of a slog towards the end but still a worthwhile read.
Good on her for telling the truth about her dark places.
December 31, 2020
I admire Fiona for laying all her cards on the table with this memoir. Her brutal honesty throughout made me feel like I know her.
Her battle with alcoholism allows you to see it from an addict's view. Her experience of being shamed and having the stigma attached to being an alcoholic makes you realize that alcohol is a drug that can be very dangerous for some people and in Australia we drink for all occasions and look at people that have a problem with it badly instead of helping those people.
Fiona felt very alone in her life, which was sad because she had so many people who loved her and her work but couldn't understand her addiction.
This book has left me with lots to think about and I strongly recommend this book. You will laugh and cry along the way.
I wish Fiona all the best in her life. She is an extremely strong lady who deserves happiness and peace in her life.
Her battle with alcoholism allows you to see it from an addict's view. Her experience of being shamed and having the stigma attached to being an alcoholic makes you realize that alcohol is a drug that can be very dangerous for some people and in Australia we drink for all occasions and look at people that have a problem with it badly instead of helping those people.
Fiona felt very alone in her life, which was sad because she had so many people who loved her and her work but couldn't understand her addiction.
This book has left me with lots to think about and I strongly recommend this book. You will laugh and cry along the way.
I wish Fiona all the best in her life. She is an extremely strong lady who deserves happiness and peace in her life.
December 21, 2020
Searingly honest, touchingly tragic, but infused with the self-deprecating humour we’ve all come to expect from Fiona (and, I’m on a first name basis with her, because I feel like she’s now so much more than the ‘left the kids at Liquorland’ lady), this delves into the ‘I thought I hadn’t seen anything from her for a while’ years. No holds barred for her descent into addiction, and the dawning realisation of the damage caused in her life, to those closest to her. Testament to the strength of her children, and her siblings, for their understanding, and a valid wake up call that we all wear a mask, just some are better than others at doing it.
Lost a star for making me sad.
Lost a star for making me sad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2025
Writing a book requires courage, talent, and above all, a story that leaves something with the reader. Fiona O’Laughlin’s memoir, however, could honestly have been written by anyone who can string four words together.
It recounts her own life, seeking sympathy for her struggles with alcohol—or “legal drugs,” as she calls them—and, frankly, it left me with nothing but pity. Pity for someone who chooses the easiest path and even chooses to have children. Yes, plural!
I prefer reading about people who face life’s hardships without relying on substances or despair, people who succeed quietly and without applause.
This memoir, sadly, offers no insight, no inspiration—just a tale of indulgence in misery.
It recounts her own life, seeking sympathy for her struggles with alcohol—or “legal drugs,” as she calls them—and, frankly, it left me with nothing but pity. Pity for someone who chooses the easiest path and even chooses to have children. Yes, plural!
I prefer reading about people who face life’s hardships without relying on substances or despair, people who succeed quietly and without applause.
This memoir, sadly, offers no insight, no inspiration—just a tale of indulgence in misery.
June 24, 2021
I couldn't put it down. A brutally honest memoir. Wish the author the very best
December 31, 2020
This is a deeply truthful and sometimes brutally honest memoir, beautifully written without fear of judgement and with Fiona’s signature storytelling and humour.
The life this woman has lead is remarkable, I knew some of her story through her stand up, but the dark and honest truth about her addiction and the things that happen along the way due to it, opened my eyes to what can occur through addiction and how destructive it can be, not only for the person living with the addiction, but also for those around them.
I admire her courage in telling this story as it would be so easy to sit back and judge her wrongs, but she’s put her story out there for the whole world to read, I certainly do not judge her, we all have our ways of coping with life.
One of my favourite stories was early on in the book when she talks about her husband Chris, and their meeting with the Queen, quite a funny moment, I won’t spoil it for you here, this is definitely a book you should read for yourself, Fiona has certainly lived an interesting life.
The life this woman has lead is remarkable, I knew some of her story through her stand up, but the dark and honest truth about her addiction and the things that happen along the way due to it, opened my eyes to what can occur through addiction and how destructive it can be, not only for the person living with the addiction, but also for those around them.
I admire her courage in telling this story as it would be so easy to sit back and judge her wrongs, but she’s put her story out there for the whole world to read, I certainly do not judge her, we all have our ways of coping with life.
One of my favourite stories was early on in the book when she talks about her husband Chris, and their meeting with the Queen, quite a funny moment, I won’t spoil it for you here, this is definitely a book you should read for yourself, Fiona has certainly lived an interesting life.
September 19, 2021
Whilst I admire the honesty O’Loughlin has displayed in retelling some disastrous moments in her life, it’s not a book I could recommend. As an insight into alcoholism, it creates the voyeur’s satisfaction which comes from the inside view of someone whose success and failure has been so public. Her stated aim is to provide support for other alcoholics but for mine, it provides reasons, even excuses. The writing is a bit haphazard: best in the early stages before the mind bending constant relapses and recovery. A few points which did jump of the page were the patience and love her children have shown in never giving up on their mother and the sadness of the failed marriage. I was left with a great despair for someone so desperate for approval that she could never get enough of the copious amounts she mined from family and audiences.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2021
This is a heart breaking book. Written with warmth and humour, it is nonetheless a raw and dark journey through pain and fear, loneliness and shame. It is in stories such as this that we see starkly the core of so many social ills: violence, both physical and sexual, eating disorders, alcohol and drug addiction. When we have fear, inadequacy and shame in our hearts and seek to fill those vacuums with the fleeting and unknowable approval of others we have a cocktail of misery which cannot help but reach its poisonous hands out into the world. More than this we see the work of true demons who exploit, corrupt and capture the lives of so so many people, Fiona among them.
March 25, 2023
Unputdownable, challenging, eye opening. Brutally raw, honest, gutsy, heart-rending, humbling, yet entertaining - the story of an incredibly brave woman who has sailed the heights and plumbed the darkest depths, and then uses her life journey as the source of her humour. Her stage performances on, for example, the ABC’s Spicks & Specks didn’t prepare me for the privilege of meeting her. How she can create amazingly funny stories from her experiences… and share them so openly… May the remainder of her career, and indeed life, be full of richness and joy.
January 11, 2021
As a huge fan of Fiona O'Loughlin I was shocked to learn of the real extent with which alcohol had consumed her life.
I have heard many of these stories told on stage and on podcasts but they are always softened for comedic purposes in those environments. This book details the shocking reality of living with alcoholism and does not hold back on any of the grim and devastating sadness.
That being said, there is still a great deal of humour and beautiful self reflection throughout.
I have heard many of these stories told on stage and on podcasts but they are always softened for comedic purposes in those environments. This book details the shocking reality of living with alcoholism and does not hold back on any of the grim and devastating sadness.
That being said, there is still a great deal of humour and beautiful self reflection throughout.
August 18, 2021
Can't say I knew who she was when I bought this book, but the review said she was a comedian so I thought I would be in for some laughs. Wow I was wrong but I'm glad I read it because the reason I love to read is because I like learning from others experiences in life (I'm a non fiction reader).
I definitely learnt something's about alcoholism which previously I knew very little about. This was a bit of an eye opener for me and I would recommend this book.
I definitely learnt something's about alcoholism which previously I knew very little about. This was a bit of an eye opener for me and I would recommend this book.
December 7, 2020
Stories like this illuminate the struggles faced by alcoholics. O’Loughlin does not attempt to sugar coat her story, instead cataloguing the ways in which she has tried to deal with her many falls off the wagon, and what she has learned along the way. It’s unflinchingly honest, and it doesn’t seem that she has everything sorted out in her life yet.
Read
January 19, 2021In what is probably a first for me, I'll leave this one un-rated and generallly un-reviewed, at least for now.
For the benefit of those who look at reviews when deciding what to read, I will just say that this is a raw autobiography about the demon of alcoholism and drug-addiction with a billion relapses. Don't expect a lot of laughs.
For the benefit of those who look at reviews when deciding what to read, I will just say that this is a raw autobiography about the demon of alcoholism and drug-addiction with a billion relapses. Don't expect a lot of laughs.
February 16, 2021
Wow, wow, wow - what a life!! To overcome what Fiona has in her life and the fact that she is still alive is simply amazing. She doesn’t hold back in this incredible book. I started reading this 3 hours ago and couldn’t stop reading until I’d finished. Simply amazing and definitely a must read for everyone!!!
July 20, 2021
Listening to the audiobook performed beautifully by Fiona herself, was an amazing insight into the harsh realities of addiction. The truths may be unreliable, but this book is chockablock full of wit, absolutely heartbreaking moments and ultimately hope that recovery, whilst being an ongoing journey is possible if you are willing to change. 4.5stars
June 8, 2022
Taught me a lot about alcoholism, but gee, it’s a selfish disease. All the “I want but was never given” and “but I worked so hard, where’s my money” (hint, you pissed it away in the gutter and on drugs). As someone who never watched I’m a Celebrity, the last quarter was somewhat tedious, highlighting the shallowness, purposeless, and selfishness of celebrity.
November 13, 2020
I hadn’t known about Fiona’s personal life and addictions before reading this memoir. It made me feel very sad for her and kept hoping she wouldn’t have a relapse. It really made me feel like I was getting to know her.
February 12, 2021
I loved listening to Fiona tell her story. I had no idea her problems had stretched on for so long. This story made me laugh, and cry and feel the empathy and compassion for those who struggle truly need.
April 12, 2021
Sad: Fact Faceing for every reader. I had no idea what this ladies family and her life was like. Always love her comedy (so relateable) but did not know of her pain. She has always made me laugh and meanwhile she was really crying. So so brave!!!!
November 15, 2020
I just felt incredibly sad for her and wish her the very best in the future.
November 16, 2020
Brutally raw and honest
Wow- Fiona really gets real here . So raw and bare about how booze can hijack your life , how important family is and resilient humans can be.
Wow- Fiona really gets real here . So raw and bare about how booze can hijack your life , how important family is and resilient humans can be.
January 11, 2021
This is a beautiful, harrowing read.
Fiona is incredibly brave and owns her bullshit. I applaud her and wish her all the deliciousness in the world.
Fiona is incredibly brave and owns her bullshit. I applaud her and wish her all the deliciousness in the world.
January 14, 2021
When I got to know Fiona through watching Im a Celeb, I found her insights and personal story with alcoholism very interesting. Listening to this book on Audible and hearing her tell the story of her struggles and life was very compelling and heart-wrenching.
I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn about, wanting to support someone or struggling with addiction. For me, it developed my empathy and understanding of alcoholism and the people living with this illness, but it also provided deep insight into the impact on her family, relationships and career.
Highly recommend!
I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn about, wanting to support someone or struggling with addiction. For me, it developed my empathy and understanding of alcoholism and the people living with this illness, but it also provided deep insight into the impact on her family, relationships and career.
Highly recommend!
April 6, 2024
Don’t normally give 5 stars but I felt the rawness, & brutal, painful honesty deserved it. The story didn’t heed to be shared, it’s not one society likes to know about but Fiona told it anyway & in doing so gave a bit more clarity about the disease from an addict’s perspective. I thought it was written as well as it could be for someone who said herself, couldn’t remember a lot of the details particularly due to a 15 day coma.
But P.S. I would watch that chat show!
But P.S. I would watch that chat show!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2021
This was a challenging read. Gutsy, honest, raw, disturbing. You realise what a fine line there is between social drinks or even looking forward to your one or two drinks at the end of the day and the descent into alcoholism. How easily it could start controlling you. I hate to say it, but this book is quite sobering. Thank you Fiona for such brutal honesty about your life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews