Going Down Swinging

by Billie Livingston

A remarkable debut novel and bittersweet tale of the unflinching love and devotion between a mother and daughter.

Razor sharp and darkly funny, Going Down Swinging chronicles two years in the life of the Hoffmans. Eilleen Hoffman has just told Danny, her con-artist lover and father of her youngest daughter Grace, to get out—for good. Once a teacher, Eilleen lived a middle-class life, but her taste in men coupled with a predilection for pills and booze has brought her down. Desperate to prevent her family from sinking deeper into poverty, Eilleen reluctantly goes on welfare.

Eventually she turns to the only friends she has left, hustlers and hookers, to learn how a woman makes fast money, no investment necessary. With Eilleen on welfare and her older daughter Charlotte a teenaged runaway, child welfare authorities descend on the Hoffmans. As Eilleen trails through several attempts at drying out, the well-intentioned Children's Protection Society finally intervenes to apprehend Grace. With the threat of prolonged separation now a stark reality, Eilleen and Grace must rally to confront their demons with grit, determination and humour.

Unblinkingly observed and brilliantly written, Going Down Swinging is about the powerful bond between mother and child. And with her skilful narrative interplay, Billie Livingston illustrates poignantly how the truth of our stories lies not so much in the black and white, as it does in the grey.

Genres: Fiction, Canada, Book Club

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 18, 2000

About the author

Billie Livingston is a fiction writer, poet, and essayist. Born in Hamilton, Ontario, she grew up in Toronto and Vancouver, and has since lived in Tokyo, Hamburg, Munich, Los Angeles and London, England. Her first employment was filling the dairy coolers in a Macs Milk. She went on to work varying lengths of time as a file clerk, receptionist, cocktail waitress, model, actor, chocolate sampler, and booth host at a plumber’s convention.

Livingston's writing has been nominated for a National Magazine Award for journalism, the Journey Prize for fiction and the Pat Lowther Award for poetry. Greedy Little Eyes, a collection of short stories, was cited by The Globe and Mail and The Georgia Straight as one of the year's best books and the collection went on to win the CBC's Bookie Award as well as the Danuta Gleed Literary Award for Best Short Story Collection. Her 2012 novel, One Good Hustle, was long-listed for the Giller Prize and became a year’s best book selection for several publications including The Globe and Mail, Now Magazine and January Magazine. In 2014, her story, “Sitting on the Edge of Marlene,” was adapted to film by director, Ana Valine and starred Suzanne Clément, Paloma Kwiatkowski, and Callum Keith Rennie.

She lives in Vancouver, BC, with her husband, actor Tim Kelleher.

Reviews

[Susan L. Greig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on the description on the back I was interested to read this book when it was picked by our book club. By the time I got to the part about the knives though I was nauseated, devastated and crying--it was just too close to home after going through some similar experiences while growing up. I really had to do some soul-searching about whether it was healthy for me emotionally to continue reading the book.
In the end I decided I wanted to finish it. I had to detach myself though and basically speed read the rest. There were definitely many nuances and other things I missed and that is sad, because after doing research it is at least 50% auto-biographical and comes from place of authencity--and it is always those kinds of books that are the best.

If you do not have a background filled with alcoholism or drug abuse, neglect and the things that comes along with that like the threat of social services hanging over your head then it will be an enjoyable read and you'll gain insight into the reality of a family plagued with disfunction. If however, you come from this sort of background be prepared for the emotions it may bring up and make plans to be supported if you choose to read it.

At book club I let everyone else speak first and I got to hear about the great writing and quotes everyone liked and I'm so very happy I did because it allowed me to see the book through others eyes. When it came my time to speak I couldn't say alot at first except to tell everyone through tears that they had just read my life story growing up (albeit different causes & circumstances). We all cried together and I was able to tell some of my story to people I trust. This experience has reminded me of one of my favorite quotes: Grief knits two hearts in closer bonds than happiness ever can; and common sufferings are far stronger links than common joys." I'm grateful to Billie Livingston for first having the courage to share these parts of her life and secondly for being so honest about her suffering in Going Down Swinging--as hard a read as it was me, it was a good reminder I am not alone in my experiences. This book provided me an opportunity to tell others something of my story which was healing and that in itself is a blessing.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Going Down Swinging a second time this week and fell in love all over again. The subject matter is difficult and yet there is such tenderness and binding love between Grace and her mother Eilleen that I find it hard to look away. I love the way the characters use black humor to get through the most awful situations. It feels real and resolute. The story is about alcoholic and prescription drug addicted Eileen and her little girl, Grace. Eileen is a former teacher but substance abuse and crappy taste in men have left her in a mess, on welfare and selling sex periodically to support Grace and her own habits. It's darkly funny and heart wrenching at the same time.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

“She kept telling me not to make her into a villain through all this, but I couldn’t help it. Cuz as soon as you let people go, even for a little, they just don’t come back.”

“Mum wanted us to keep moving. Like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. She didn’t say that and I never saw the movie, but I heard that’s what they did. And plus, I really wanted to be called The Sundance Kid.”

[Denise MacDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be a very emotional book. I don't know how anyone who hasn't been a part of the child protection system could write such an accurate portrayal of it. Every character in this book was real, you can find people similar to them in any town. The author developed each one perfectly- emotionally, psychologically and physically. She also told the same story from every side- the parent, the child, the social worker, the family friends and even the police. I felt like I was reading the other side to the case history of any child I could potentially work with someday. It is an excellent book to teach empathy, meaning making and point of view. It is also a great example of how our experiences impact how we see the world around us. I loved it!

[Tricia Dower · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eilleen is one of the most memorable literary characters I've ever read. If you read this book for her alone you won't be disappointed. And there's so much more.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the book well enough. I liked that it was based in Canada and seemed realistic enough in regards to the foster care system. I did not care for the ending. I wanted to hear how the foster family, social worker and Eilleen/ Grace ended up. Charlie kind of disappeared from the book too. There were many loose ends. Although I thought it was written pretty well.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read but wow, so much emotion. This is a family in crisis/chaos with so many problems and so much love among them. Livingston is so good at telling this type of story and making it non-voyeuristic. Great read.

[Nick · Rating 2 out of 5]

A gritty, tough story of an addicted Mother, her family and how things go downhill and keep going.
Kinda depressing and hard to read.

[Jessi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is written from both the mother and daughter's perspective. She does a great job capturing both characters personalities and emotions through her writing. The story relates the love and torment of a codependent relationship. It's about mom's struggle with alcoholism, daughter's coping with the disease and surviving it all through foster system and public assistance. Despite moms inadequacies it was clear how much the author wanted to convey the love felt by both. There's lots to love about both too they are funny and quirky.

[Zoom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book so much I immediately ordered all the other books Billie Livingston has written. It was interesting and touching and the characters were terribly flawed yet likable and believable. It's about how a person can fail miserably at the most important thing in their life, yet still offer something of value that nobody else can. An alcoholic mother, a child who is both neglected and loved...I liked how the author was able to present the story without imposing either judgement or excuses for Eilleen.

[Janet Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Sad and funny at once. Like Billie Livingston's other work, this one is full of bite and honesty while still imbued with great soul.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Difficult to read since I can relate to it so much. I thought it clever that it was written from two perspectives: the mother and daughter characters. Again, favourite author.

[Tracey Knowlton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very difficult book to read due to its emotional content and intensity. Only someone who has been through " The System" could write so passionately.....