04 Oct 2010 23:10:03
This book is talking about how the author began binge drinking when she was just 14, with a sequel titled, "Fury." Zailckas is now sober, but she still has internal demons to contend with, which is what drives her story.
Zailckas has just been dumped by her boyfriend (she refers to him as "the Lark"). She'd gone to England to live with him and is now on her way back to the United States. She moves in with her parents in Massachusetts and finds herself in a downward spiral of depression. Zailckas begins examining her feelings and uses that research as a way to cope. (It's not all serious; her observations are quite funny.)
One lesson learned is how her repressed anger shows itself in different ways. She grew up in a household where aggressive behavior-like anger was frowned upon, particularly by her mother. Arguments were swept under the rug.
Zailckas deconstructs the meaning of anger to make it less intimidating. She quotes experts and other books on the topic. This is when "Fury" gets a bit "heady" and the reader might start to lose interest. This is Zailckas' style. She's a student of her own behavior.
Those who enjoyed "Smashed," or who enjoy psychology and being self-aware, will likely want to read "Fury."
Zailckas has just been dumped by her boyfriend (she refers to him as "the Lark"). She'd gone to England to live with him and is now on her way back to the United States. She moves in with her parents in Massachusetts and finds herself in a downward spiral of depression. Zailckas begins examining her feelings and uses that research as a way to cope. (It's not all serious; her observations are quite funny.)
One lesson learned is how her repressed anger shows itself in different ways. She grew up in a household where aggressive behavior-like anger was frowned upon, particularly by her mother. Arguments were swept under the rug.
Zailckas deconstructs the meaning of anger to make it less intimidating. She quotes experts and other books on the topic. This is when "Fury" gets a bit "heady" and the reader might start to lose interest. This is Zailckas' style. She's a student of her own behavior.
Those who enjoyed "Smashed," or who enjoy psychology and being self-aware, will likely want to read "Fury."
