Drunk Mom: A Memoir

Very well written. Open, honest, REAL account of one’s struggle with addiction. Loved this book and I could relate on so many levels. Thank you Jowita for keeping it real.

Of the women and alcohol memoirs Caroline Knapp's, Drinking, a Love Story, is perhaps the best written and most profound. That said Dydlowska's story of her drinking following the birth of her son is perhaps the most disturbing. While the book is quite readable she does not share Knapp's wit and presents as a wounded and unhappy. Her pursuit of intoxicaton is in the end pathetic. In other words, she sounds like a real alcoholic. And that is the takeaway from this book. The reach of shame that troubles so many women whose drinking is out of control. Recommended.

The book was a memoir. Not a solution for those who are expecting that or angry about it in the reviews. I liked her writing. She was open and very honest. Which is very brave of her. I dont know why people expected something out of her and put down the book bc she didn't meet their expectations. It was very interesting and I appreciate her putting her life and struggles as an alcoholic out there for the world. My mom is an alcoholic and I wanted to get an idea of what life for one is really like. Everyone's story is different obviously but I do appreciate and respect hers!

Arrived on time and was in good condition (bought used). I had a hard time following the book. Her story was good but her writing style is a bit hard to follow. You pretty much read the book as it is her telling it from her point of view. There are no quotations for when people are talking to each other so it is really hard to follow at times. It was a hard read for me and honestly I just wanted the book to end. I gave it three stars because her story and what she went through was powerful and it was brave of her for telling it, but it wasn't very relatable for me.

Incredible, raw account of addiction, mental illness, and guilt. This doesn't read as preachy or trying to rationalize her past transgressions for public approval. This is honest and down-to-earth, making for a book that's difficult to walk away from without reading another chapter, making highlights, or finding wisdom in refreshed, highly original and personal language. This was recommended by my professor in passing, and I do not regret picking this up for a second. Artfully written and honestly captured.

This memoir has done a good job accurately portraying the experience. There is absolutely no glamour in this portrait of addiction and the struggle for recovery.

I'm only 110 pages in - but this book is written wonderfully. Honest and devastating. She writes like she feels. Throughout her book so far, I can feel a sense of guilt that is so modest and under spoken that it pulls at my heartstrings. I know when she refers to her child as "the baby" she's trying to separate from whatever she was feeling at the time and the connection she "should've" felt as a mother at that time. I understand her, and her writing speaks to me. I am very discerning when it comes to writing, especially memoirs, as they are often poorly written and jumbled. I can appreciate her honesty, as sad as her story is. Can't wait to finish. Will update if it strikes me to do so.

This book is the first i decided to read since starting my journey of sobriety... again. This time the end goal is to approach it from a different perspective and putting my first loves at the center, my kids. I used my time sitting in the school drop off and pick up line to read,reflect, and have the quiet time I needed to digest the words in this book. I found so many of the recollections the author mentions to mirror many of my own actions, more than I care to admit. From the liquor store mapping, to the hiding spots, and blackouts I found myself very connected and feeling I’m not alone in this trap of addiction and behaviors. I believe relatable reads, such as this topic around motherhood and alcoholism, can help shed light on some of the darkest secrets. Drunk Mom is a great read and would recommend it to others who may be in the same boat.

Perfezione, fa piangere un po'

I heard about it in a Sunday Times article and once I started reading I couldn't put it down. It was a touching, tragic but uplifting tale of alcoholism and new motherhood... And generally of being human and coping with the rollercoaster of life. I really liked her and really wanted her to find sobriety... and happiness. She deals with drinking and the joys and pitfalls of it incredibly well as well as the rush of love but also pressure fear and isolation that having a baby can bring. Well done... Your story will help others (it has just helped me...) and you are a great writer who surely has lots more to write and share with the world... A great new talent I reckon... Watch this space.

I haven’t devoured a book like that in a very long time. I was completely enthralled and couldn’t put it down. I had low expectations expectations for this due to some of the reviews, but I realize now that the incredibly creative and fascinating artistic choices the author makes in her writing just put this book out of their grasp. Phenomenal read. Highly recommend.

What a brutally honest book about addiction. As a new sober mum, it really helped me to emphasize with the author. Powerful and empowering

Interesting story about addiction with a "twist" - ie, someone brave enough to write about being drunk and a new mother at the same time. I enjoyed hearing about places in my own city where the author went throughout her story, and the fact that "the boyfriend" is a well-known writer for the Globe and Mail. I remember reading about the boyfriend's retina problems in a Toronto Life magazine article and the coming together of two Toronto writers and their stories was interesting.