Trying to become sober for the rest of my life because in short alcohol has ruined me, can I have recommendations where the main character struggles with drinking and gets sober? Also about the dangers of alcohol, I wanna get scared into stopping.
by joeletaxiii
7 Comments
It’s not fictional, but I honestly thought it was until halfway through because of the style of writing. The Outrun by Amy Liptrop is an autobiographical account of someone with a drinking problem moving into recovery and moving to her native Orkney. It describes the nature of the islands brilliantly, interspersed with flashback memories from when she was in active addiction and when she was in recovery groups. Lots of introspection about the highs and lows of addiction and recovery. (And I very rarely read fiction/autobiography but found it very readable).
If it must be fiction:
I think Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is an obligatory mention at this point.
Also half of Irvine Welsh’s work addresses addiction in the least glamorous ways possible.
And if you want an inspirational character, Terry Pratchett’s Sam Vines is a fantastic example of someone who dragged themselves out of alcoholism.
I’ll try to think of some more, it’s a subject close to my own heart.
The absolutely most terrifying depiction of late-stage alcoholism that I have ever encountered in literature is “Leaving Las Vegas” by John O’Brien. It’s brutal. Amazingly well written, but brutal. The main character does not get sober. There is no light at the end of the tunnel. Everything turns to shit. 10/10, highly recommend.
I mean the shining, the main character is a child who was abused by his alcoholic father and it’s a main part of the story
Matt Scudder series, Lawrence Block, Sins of the Father’s is first.
If alcohol is a danger, you will see it in the eyes in the mirror.
I don’t have a suggestion for a book, but I wanted to congratulate you on the beginning of your sobriety. I’m approaching my 4 year sober birthday and it’s most assuredly one of the best choices I’ve ever made.
And how did I forget The Shining? And its sequel, Doctor Sleep. The Shining focuses on the father’s struggles with alcoholism, Dostor Sleep with the son’s.
Dry, Augusten Burroughs