TAKING ON THE TOPIC of blackout drinking would be brave for anyone, but I would argue that for a woman to do so is a special kind of brave, particularly if she plans to be honest, as well as to do some diligent reporting on the science of the blackout. Apparently Sarah Hepola is both honest and diligent, and in her new memoir, Blackout: Remembering Things I Drank to Forget (Grand Central), she tells it like it once was for her. In the small number of titles of memoir on women and drinking, this is a new wonder.
For me, the very best memoir on drinking — in fact, the very best memoir I know — is the great Caroline Knapp’s, Drinking, a Love Story. My hands-down favorite title ever, as well as the single book I recommend to anyone who is learning to write memoir, this book is flawless. And Hepola agrees with that, but thought that blackout, in particular, needed some dusting off for this new generation. I agree with her assessment.
Hepola is all over the news with her new book. Read this interview in Vogue with the author, as well as this Books column in D Magazine, and see if you don’t want to read the book, as well.
Marie says
Thank you for posting this. Your words hooked me in – “(she) is a special kind of brave, particularly if she plans to be honest…” The subject is too painfully relevant in my family at the moment. I will check out both of these books and see if I can find some bit of understanding. And then, perhaps I’ll write about it. But only if I’m brave enough.