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Mother Noise
A poignant, “raw[,] and tender” ( The New York Times Book Review ) memoir told in essays and graphic shorts about what life looks like twenty years after recovery from addiction—and how to live with the past as a parent, writer, and sober person—from a regular opener for David Sedaris.
In the opening of this “unexpectedly uplifting...masterfully crafted memoir” ( Shelf Awareness , starred review) Cindy, twenty years into recovery after a heroin addiction, grapples with how to tell her nine-year-old son about her past. She wants him to learn this history from her, not anyone else; but she worries about the effect this truth may have on him. Told in essays and graphic narrative shorts, Mother Noise is a stunning memoir that delves deep into our responsibilities as parents while celebrating the moments of grace and generosity that mark a true friendship—in this case, her benefactor and champion through the years, David Sedaris.
This is a powerful memoir about addiction, motherhood, and Cindy’s ongoing effort to reconcile the two. Are we required to share with our children the painful details of our past, or do we owe them protection from the harsh truth of who we were before?
With dark humor and brutal, clear-eyed honesty, Mother Noise is “a full-throated anthem of hope, [that] lends light to a dark issue” ( Publishers Weekly , starred review).
In the opening of this “unexpectedly uplifting...masterfully crafted memoir” ( Shelf Awareness , starred review) Cindy, twenty years into recovery after a heroin addiction, grapples with how to tell her nine-year-old son about her past. She wants him to learn this history from her, not anyone else; but she worries about the effect this truth may have on him. Told in essays and graphic narrative shorts, Mother Noise is a stunning memoir that delves deep into our responsibilities as parents while celebrating the moments of grace and generosity that mark a true friendship—in this case, her benefactor and champion through the years, David Sedaris.
This is a powerful memoir about addiction, motherhood, and Cindy’s ongoing effort to reconcile the two. Are we required to share with our children the painful details of our past, or do we owe them protection from the harsh truth of who we were before?
With dark humor and brutal, clear-eyed honesty, Mother Noise is “a full-throated anthem of hope, [that] lends light to a dark issue” ( Publishers Weekly , starred review).
240 pages, Hardcover
First published May 17, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
March 4, 2022
I had been wanting to read "Mother Noise" for a long time, since I'd first heard about it many months ago. I received an advanced copy recently and opened it right away, in the middle of a busy morning, thinking I would start with the first couple of essays, and then get back to work. By mid afternoon however, I was still reading, having the kind of experience I’ve been craving but haven’t had in so, so long; complete transportation. I lost track of time, of where I was sitting, forgot that I was reading words. I have felt that way just a handful of times, while reading books that felt like sustenance, like life support. This is one of those books. "Mother Noise," goes right to the deepest, most painful, most vulnerable mothering places. But just as often it goes to the most glorious ones too.
This book isn't just about parenting in the face of enormous obstacles however. It is also about the often brutal experience of being a person of tremendous sensitivity, in a world that doesn't easily make room for that. It is about being brought to your knees, over and over again, with no idea of how or if you will make it back up to standing.
By sharing her unique experience in a these hyper honest, pared down, often devastating yet exquisite essays, we see how Cindy House manages it.
Read this book. It is heart breaking. It will knock you out. It is gorgeous. It will lift you up, up, up.
This book isn't just about parenting in the face of enormous obstacles however. It is also about the often brutal experience of being a person of tremendous sensitivity, in a world that doesn't easily make room for that. It is about being brought to your knees, over and over again, with no idea of how or if you will make it back up to standing.
By sharing her unique experience in a these hyper honest, pared down, often devastating yet exquisite essays, we see how Cindy House manages it.
Read this book. It is heart breaking. It will knock you out. It is gorgeous. It will lift you up, up, up.
February 27, 2022
An excellent, engaging, sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes funny debut essay collection (with pictures!). I'm not a big essay reader, but I flew through this book, which tackles a big theme: Cindy House's many years of addiction. Although her heroin use ended some 20 years ago, the memory of her life as an addict affects how she thinks about every aspect of her life. This sounds like a really heavy group of stories, but somehow House's honest, clear prose makes some very harsh realities ingestable without diminishing the shame and pain she experienced.
Although the memories of addiction are found throughout Mother Noise, it's also (as the title suggests) about motherhood and family — the joys and terrors of parenting, dealing with an unstable ex-husband, and getting to know your kid.
And lest I forget, this book is also a little bit about David Sedaris, who it could be said is the reason this book exists. As a long-time friend of House's (dating back to when she was deep in her addiction) and an ardent supporter of her work, he appears in one of the best and most beautiful essays in the collection.
Highly recommend this one.
Although the memories of addiction are found throughout Mother Noise, it's also (as the title suggests) about motherhood and family — the joys and terrors of parenting, dealing with an unstable ex-husband, and getting to know your kid.
And lest I forget, this book is also a little bit about David Sedaris, who it could be said is the reason this book exists. As a long-time friend of House's (dating back to when she was deep in her addiction) and an ardent supporter of her work, he appears in one of the best and most beautiful essays in the collection.
Highly recommend this one.
May 16, 2022
"If you shake me, the past still rattles around inside. I close my eyes and an old zipper from a favorite pair of pants shivers over my skin. The weightlessness of a wooden hummingbird sits in my palm. Old letters twist and stretch themselves out of their envelopes like snakes shedding their skin, revealing loopy, girlish handwriting that says I want to live, please survive this."
This past winter David Sedaris did a few readings in Seattle for his not-yet-released book Happy-Go-Lucky and he brought his former student and lifelong friend Cindy House to read an excerpt from Mother Noise to open for him. Luckily for me this event series took place within walking distance of my humble abode, so I snagged tickets and meandered to the event. When the audience was told an unknown author would be opening for Sedaris, I was less than thrilled. Who is this House lady, I thought. Well, fortunately for me, when House started reading I was blown away. I jotted down her name and crossed my fingers hoping I could snag an ARC of her upcoming memoir. Fast forward to today, where not only was I luckily enough to acquire said ARC (thanks, NetGalley!) but I've devoured the book and will share my thoughts with you, dear reader.
As my opening quote demonstrates, House has a beautifully poetic way with words. I simply adore the way she stitches together her thoughts and ideas to tell her story. And man, does House have an interesting story to tell. From her time in a psych ward due to severe depression to overcoming a heroin addiction to going through a custody battle with a truly awful ex, House has lived through some things. Additionally, a lovely little surprise I wasn't expecting was the comics dispersed throughout the story. Not only can House write, she can draw too!
While I found this memoir to be thoroughly enjoyable, I also found a few things I wasn't the biggest fan of. The first one is probably a me problem, but I have a hard time when memoirists jump around in time when they're telling their life story - especially if it's someone whose story isn't well known to the public to begin with. Since House was in and out of college, in and out of rehab, on and off drugs, and has been married more than once, it was slightly difficult for me to correctly arrange her life story in my wee brain since her essays weren't arranged chronologically. The second gripe is how much of her book was about David Sedaris and her friendship with him. Look, I'm a huge Sedaris fan, so it was a thumbs up in my book that he made an appearance in this tale. And it's very clear he's been a long standing positive influence in House's life. I just felt House's story is so interesting on its own I would've liked to see more pages of this book devoted to how she managed to finally overcome addiction or anecdotes of her terrible ex husband and fewer pages of letters she received from David over the years.
This past winter David Sedaris did a few readings in Seattle for his not-yet-released book Happy-Go-Lucky and he brought his former student and lifelong friend Cindy House to read an excerpt from Mother Noise to open for him. Luckily for me this event series took place within walking distance of my humble abode, so I snagged tickets and meandered to the event. When the audience was told an unknown author would be opening for Sedaris, I was less than thrilled. Who is this House lady, I thought. Well, fortunately for me, when House started reading I was blown away. I jotted down her name and crossed my fingers hoping I could snag an ARC of her upcoming memoir. Fast forward to today, where not only was I luckily enough to acquire said ARC (thanks, NetGalley!) but I've devoured the book and will share my thoughts with you, dear reader.
As my opening quote demonstrates, House has a beautifully poetic way with words. I simply adore the way she stitches together her thoughts and ideas to tell her story. And man, does House have an interesting story to tell. From her time in a psych ward due to severe depression to overcoming a heroin addiction to going through a custody battle with a truly awful ex, House has lived through some things. Additionally, a lovely little surprise I wasn't expecting was the comics dispersed throughout the story. Not only can House write, she can draw too!
While I found this memoir to be thoroughly enjoyable, I also found a few things I wasn't the biggest fan of. The first one is probably a me problem, but I have a hard time when memoirists jump around in time when they're telling their life story - especially if it's someone whose story isn't well known to the public to begin with. Since House was in and out of college, in and out of rehab, on and off drugs, and has been married more than once, it was slightly difficult for me to correctly arrange her life story in my wee brain since her essays weren't arranged chronologically. The second gripe is how much of her book was about David Sedaris and her friendship with him. Look, I'm a huge Sedaris fan, so it was a thumbs up in my book that he made an appearance in this tale. And it's very clear he's been a long standing positive influence in House's life. I just felt House's story is so interesting on its own I would've liked to see more pages of this book devoted to how she managed to finally overcome addiction or anecdotes of her terrible ex husband and fewer pages of letters she received from David over the years.
July 5, 2022
Barely started reading this book and I could not finish it....boring, disjointed, made no sense to me.
March 18, 2024
Spectacular. I read it in one sitting.
Read
February 1, 2024I read this cause of David Sedaris and addiction but I fear our girl is a lil codependent with her son which checks out with the single parent of it all. It was fine
May 27, 2022
A once student, and long-time friend of my beloved David Sedaris? Hell yes, I’m in! This memoir in essays covers House’s life post-addiction, openly discussing what it’s like living in recovery as a parent and writer. Of course, my favorite moments were about her close friendship with Sedaris. She often opens for him on tour. Sadly, of the three times I’ve seen him, she hasn’t been there. Maybe next time!
Note: I listened on audio but it sounds like the print version has some graphic shorts worth checking out.
Note: I listened on audio but it sounds like the print version has some graphic shorts worth checking out.
May 2, 2022
Quick Take: A mother struggles with parenting after a life of addiction.
Mother Noise by Cindy House is part memoir, part musing about what it means to parent through trauma. House always felt big, even as a child her emotions were powerful. Unfortunately, she was taught not to let them out and to suppress them. In time this took its toll and she felt like she was drowning in her own emotions. As she transitioned into adulthood, she found alcohol and pot could sooth the pain which eventually transitioned into harder drugs like heroine.
Even though I’ve never struggled with drug addiction, I empathized so much with House in this story. Her writing made me feel like I was living through the pain with her. While this sounds unpleasant, it is one of the greatest joys of reading - to experience life with others. She eventually got married and had her first child, leaving drugs behind. Unfortunately, her marriage was abusive and ended in divorce.
Parenting is hard, parenting while sharing custody with an abusive parent is even harder. Her ex-husband remarried as soon as they got divorced. His new wife was very abusive to her stepson, purposely feeding him things he was allergic to prove he wasn’t allergic. I really saw how messed up our child custody system is
House does an excellent job drawing you into her story and I appreciated her vulnerability. At times, her story did feel a little disjointed, but I assume it was by design. I would recommend this book to anyone who this story resonates with or likes memoirs.
Rating: 4/5
Genre: Memoir
Mother Noise by Cindy House is part memoir, part musing about what it means to parent through trauma. House always felt big, even as a child her emotions were powerful. Unfortunately, she was taught not to let them out and to suppress them. In time this took its toll and she felt like she was drowning in her own emotions. As she transitioned into adulthood, she found alcohol and pot could sooth the pain which eventually transitioned into harder drugs like heroine.
Even though I’ve never struggled with drug addiction, I empathized so much with House in this story. Her writing made me feel like I was living through the pain with her. While this sounds unpleasant, it is one of the greatest joys of reading - to experience life with others. She eventually got married and had her first child, leaving drugs behind. Unfortunately, her marriage was abusive and ended in divorce.
Parenting is hard, parenting while sharing custody with an abusive parent is even harder. Her ex-husband remarried as soon as they got divorced. His new wife was very abusive to her stepson, purposely feeding him things he was allergic to prove he wasn’t allergic. I really saw how messed up our child custody system is
House does an excellent job drawing you into her story and I appreciated her vulnerability. At times, her story did feel a little disjointed, but I assume it was by design. I would recommend this book to anyone who this story resonates with or likes memoirs.
Rating: 4/5
Genre: Memoir
May 28, 2022
Cindy House’s essays cut to the heart of being human: the joy, the difficulty and the pain. Her honest, wonderfully crafted essays will make the reader pause and consider their own relationship to their past. The most valuable aspect of this entertaining work, for me, is House’s effort to unearth shame—to bring it to light and examine burdens she has carried. This book does the heroic work that I look for in memoir—it entertains, teaches, and connects. And with House’s considerable drawing skills, there is a second layer of communication through her graphics in a work that is expertly structured.
I was kindly gifted an ARC for a podcast episode where we discussed Cindy’s work. I was not asked to review her work but chose to do so as I felt very connected to the piece.
I was kindly gifted an ARC for a podcast episode where we discussed Cindy’s work. I was not asked to review her work but chose to do so as I felt very connected to the piece.
March 30, 2022
An open and intimate memoir told in short stories, essays & graphics.
As a mother in recovery, I really appreciated this book! So many highlights and nuggets of wisdom on life, addiction, recovery and motherhood.
Cindy House beautifully and bravely puts all of life's struggles on paper in an honest and moving perspective.
This is why I love and will always read great books on overcoming addiction, struggling with motherhood or life in general - it makes you feel 'seen'; less alone. As she point out- books can really save your life!
Many thanks to Netgalley & Scribner / Marysue Rucci Books for my advanced copy!
As a mother in recovery, I really appreciated this book! So many highlights and nuggets of wisdom on life, addiction, recovery and motherhood.
Cindy House beautifully and bravely puts all of life's struggles on paper in an honest and moving perspective.
This is why I love and will always read great books on overcoming addiction, struggling with motherhood or life in general - it makes you feel 'seen'; less alone. As she point out- books can really save your life!
Many thanks to Netgalley & Scribner / Marysue Rucci Books for my advanced copy!
March 20, 2022
**Recieved an Advanced Reader copy from the bookstore where I work!
Memoirs are really exempt from star ratings in my mind -- how can I rate someone else's life and stories?
But as with all memoirs about mental health and personal struggles with family, I feel a special warmth and connection with the writer.
House wrote a passage about how stories can show us that we are not alone, and she is absolutely right -- that's why I read, if I'm honest. To know that I, too, can survive the darkness and live to tell the tale, because others have done the same.
Memoirs are really exempt from star ratings in my mind -- how can I rate someone else's life and stories?
But as with all memoirs about mental health and personal struggles with family, I feel a special warmth and connection with the writer.
House wrote a passage about how stories can show us that we are not alone, and she is absolutely right -- that's why I read, if I'm honest. To know that I, too, can survive the darkness and live to tell the tale, because others have done the same.
August 29, 2022
i am definitely not the target audience for this book.
it started out as the author talking about her drug addiction recovery and ended with her oversharing her son's life
it started out as the author talking about her drug addiction recovery and ended with her oversharing her son's life
July 17, 2022
I loved this memoir! I loved the way she told the story. I listened to the audio while following along physically. I loved the pictures. I really appreciate how much vulnerability it takes to write such a personal story.
November 28, 2022
Recommended by Natalie. Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore...
June 17, 2022
David Sedaris raved about this book and usually brings the author on tour to open for him. She wasn’t at the reading we attended unfortunately - but I’m so glad I picked up the book.
May 31, 2022
An outstanding essay collection. Cindy House writes with so much heart, clarity, and humor about her addiction, her relationship with David Sedaris (spanning three decades!), and reconciling her troubled past with her present, as a sober mother, writer, and artist. House's prose is smooth as marble and warmly invites the reader into her world. Every essay here is unforgettable and filled with so much genuine emotion and unique, complex insight. My favorite pieces include "We Waitresses," "Heartworks," and "I'm Here To See David Sedaris." "I Went From Phoenix, Arizona" is one of the most devastating yet sincere and loving explorations of the mental health crisis in America.
Sedaris, on his cover blurb, says of House, "This is her time." I couldn't agree more.
Sedaris, on his cover blurb, says of House, "This is her time." I couldn't agree more.
August 6, 2022
Mothering is a tough gig.
That is the most understated statement ever.
You worry alot. You pray even if you don't believe.
Your joy in, for, and about your child/children is endless also, and cushions the hard times.
Cindy House writes about it all honestly.
Her custody situation is a
separated/divorced parent's nightmare.
Her longtime friendship with and mentoring from writer/humorist David Sedaris is a priceless gift.
Is there ever an equal balance in life?
Mother Noise is a quick read, although heavy on the negative situations of coparenting. I felt very sad for her and her child.
Oh, BTW, House was also a heroin addict for several years before having her son. She says that the point of this book was to figure out how to tell her son about her past drug use, but that effort seems a secondary story to her anxiety about her child's issues from the above mentioned custody experiences.
House's writing style is simple and I struggled to find the brilliance seen by the brilliant David Sedaris. I will keep looking for it in subsequent writing by House because I trust Sedaris.
That is the most understated statement ever.
You worry alot. You pray even if you don't believe.
Your joy in, for, and about your child/children is endless also, and cushions the hard times.
Cindy House writes about it all honestly.
Her custody situation is a
separated/divorced parent's nightmare.
Her longtime friendship with and mentoring from writer/humorist David Sedaris is a priceless gift.
Is there ever an equal balance in life?
Mother Noise is a quick read, although heavy on the negative situations of coparenting. I felt very sad for her and her child.
Oh, BTW, House was also a heroin addict for several years before having her son. She says that the point of this book was to figure out how to tell her son about her past drug use, but that effort seems a secondary story to her anxiety about her child's issues from the above mentioned custody experiences.
House's writing style is simple and I struggled to find the brilliance seen by the brilliant David Sedaris. I will keep looking for it in subsequent writing by House because I trust Sedaris.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2023
Bummer. I thought the writing here was beautiful but ultimately the book didn’t deliver on its premise about grappling with how much/what to tell her son about her past. That honestly took up maybe 15% of the book. For me it never really went deep enough into different aspects of her life that would be most interesting AND related to the premise of the book (addiction, the recovery house, how she got back on her feet, how she reconciled her past and present, and so on). I agree with other reviewers who say it felt very disjointed. It’s heavy on the “essay” format, mostly about random things in her life, and far less like a true memoir. Also, it was really weird how much of the book is devoted to David Sedaris. Really really weird.
June 1, 2022
I loved this collection of essays/stories. This lucky woman studied under David Sedaris, of whom I am more a fan for the support he continues to give her as a former teacher. This book is beautiful, sad, and heartwarming all at once.
January 30, 2023
me not knowing who david sedaris is the entire book: 😀👍🏻
July 30, 2025
Beautiful. Loved it. A story that needs to be told.
Rank: A
Rank: A
September 20, 2025
David Sedaris was right about Cindy House!!
October 25, 2022
Interesting story of one mom’s addiction and trauma and how it affects her motherhood. All she wants is to protect her son from going down the same path she traveled.
September 2, 2023
I really liked this book! I'm normally not a memoir girl but the story was engaging , relatable and I enjoyed the pictures as well. I really related with the author laying you that when you meet people you have no idea what the person might have gone through or struggles with and sometimes there isn't just one big event in life that can push someone to addiction.
July 9, 2022
Cindy's writing seems at once effortless and accessible - and also poetically moving. This is a beautiful offering of love and raw honesty.
May 28, 2022
The writing is wonderful; the story is real. Cindy House opens up about her life through essays that can be described as clever, refreshing, and seemingly effortless. Her memoir is not only a story of addiction and recovery, it's a story of motherhood, family, regret, loss, and determination.
While reading, I felt truly invested in her story; every misstep, various trips to rehab, interactions with her son, each and every personal thought that she so generously shares...Her writing is unlike anything I've read. And, I find that her reflections are quite relatable. I believe that everyone who reads this unique memoir will find morsels that apply to them, specifically. I absolutely loved reading this book and am sure that I will read it again!
While reading, I felt truly invested in her story; every misstep, various trips to rehab, interactions with her son, each and every personal thought that she so generously shares...Her writing is unlike anything I've read. And, I find that her reflections are quite relatable. I believe that everyone who reads this unique memoir will find morsels that apply to them, specifically. I absolutely loved reading this book and am sure that I will read it again!
November 11, 2024
I loved her writing style.
July 7, 2022
It’s called a memoir, but I’m confused because it’s really a collection of personal essays with some graphic narratives thrown in. They’re about the author’s addiction, recovery, career and motherhood. I liked her writing style, and the stories were interesting. There were a few parts that jumped out at and spoke to me. I’m glad I read it, but I wouldn’t say it’s a must-read by any means.
May 22, 2022
A book of essays written by a woman who suffered addiction and relapses and has been clean for 20+ years. I love essays by recovering addicts. They are so self aware of their weaknesses and flaws and it's refreshing. We all have our stuff. We are all helpless at certain point. But Cindy is also a mother so it's about being a parent and dealing with bringing up your child in the face of the scary terrible but also joyous world. She also is a student of and is friends with David Sedaris so there's a bit about him too which if you're a fan you'll like this.
I appreciated the humor here and there and the candid details of struggling.
I appreciated the humor here and there and the candid details of struggling.
July 3, 2022
Some parts very well written. I felt the book jumped all over the place. Just not my favorite read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews