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5 Minutes for Books: Lit

December 7, 2009 by Jennifer Donovan

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

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Lit is a memoir by Mary Karr. It’s one of those books that grabbed a hold of me as soon as I started reading it, but one which I can’t quite put my finger on why. This is Mary Karr’s story of following in her alcoholic mother’s footsteps, and her very long recovery to get sober. It’s the story of how a woman is changed by work, her dreams, marriage, and motherhood. It’s a story of fractured families who somehow hold together.lit

Mary Karr is a poet, and while this memoir is all prose, she definitely demonstrates a mastery of language and the ability to tell a story. She shares all her missteps in a way that is at once detached and honest — almost as if she’s a reporter telling her story in a detailed, yet objective way.

Her observations about people (and herself) are absolutely dead-on:

“Don’t think he spoke to me this way often. He didn’t, which is why — unfairly — it sticks” (p. 138 ARC).

“The other couples look so blithe. They plead academic poverty but drive swanky cars and live sweatered in cashmere” (p. 167 ARC).

After several attempts at recovery, Karr finally takes the advice of AA to get help from a higher power. She reports this transformation in the way of the skeptic that she was, without any presupposition that everyone should follow her path. Even while sharing her encounters with God, she uses a heathen’s language that would be shocking to any “church lady” reading her story. I think it’s somehow this dichotomy and unadorned honesty that makes her story ring so true.

If you enjoy memoir, Lit is a good one. If you are interested in reading about one person’s recovery from addiction, then this is one you’re sure to like.

Watch Mary Karr share her thoughts about writing (and living) Lit on the amazon product page.

One of you (U.S. and Canadian residents) can win one copy of Lit: A Memoir. Just leave a comment here, and check the 5 Minutes for Books column next week for the winner.

The winners of 100 Q&A About Anorexia are #2 Ellen C. and #4 Simone.

Jennifer Donovan, book blogger, manages 5 Minutes for Books and blogs at Snapshot.


**Thanks to the publisher, Harper Collins, for the review copy of the book and the giveaway copy.

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A Curious George Party and Giveaway!
It’s All A Matter Of Perspective

About Jennifer Donovan

Jennifer Donovan has been a part of the 5 Minutes for Mom team since 2007. She writes product reviews, covers events, and manages the 5 Minutes for Books weekly column and website. She lives in Houston and blogs at Snapshot about life with her family.

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34 Comments

  1. Angie says

    December 16, 2009 at 11:17 pm

    Love memoirs and reading about what people learn about themselves and life when they overcome obstacles and addictions.

    Reply
  2. Diane Westerbeek says

    December 15, 2009 at 1:21 pm

    Having had an alcoholic mother this would be an interesting read for me

    Reply
  3. Sarah Pacilio says

    December 15, 2009 at 11:44 am

    This book would be a great gift for my sister she and my mom have kindof the same problems. Even if I dont win it I will be buying this book…maybe it will help them.

    Reply
  4. Sarah Pacilio says

    December 15, 2009 at 11:43 am

    I subscribe to this feed

    Reply
  5. Jaime P says

    December 10, 2009 at 11:19 pm

    I would love to read this one

    Reply
  6. Debbie Lester says

    December 9, 2009 at 11:41 pm

    Please enter me to win… sounds like a very interesting memoir.

    Reply
  7. karenk says

    December 9, 2009 at 10:04 pm

    Have read many positive reviews…please enter me…thanks.

    Reply
  8. Nan says

    December 9, 2009 at 2:11 pm

    Sounds great and thanks for the opportunity!

    Reply
  9. rita says

    December 9, 2009 at 8:43 am

    I am very interested.
    Thanks for great reviews!

    Reply
  10. LaVonne says

    December 8, 2009 at 11:34 pm

    Would love this one. Thanks!

    Reply
  11. Cheryl Bradley says

    December 8, 2009 at 8:20 pm

    I love reading memoirs. Count me in!

    Reply
  12. Beth C says

    December 8, 2009 at 6:50 pm

    I’d really like to read this. Thanks!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    Reply
  13. Melissa Nunley says

    December 8, 2009 at 3:39 pm

    Great giveaway, count me in 🙂

    Reply
  14. Mozi Esmes Mommy says

    December 8, 2009 at 10:30 am

    I’m interested in reading this!

    janemaritz at yahoo dot com

    Reply
  15. Anita Yancey says

    December 8, 2009 at 8:08 am

    Sounds very interesting. I’d like to read it. Please enter me. Thanks!

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

    Reply
  16. Terra Heck says

    December 8, 2009 at 4:54 am

    I’ve been affected personally by alcoholism within the family. I’d love to read this memoir. Thanks.
    partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

    Reply
  17. 2 Toddlers and Me says

    December 7, 2009 at 10:26 pm

    I’ve read a couple of reviews of this book and it sounds interesting. I’m in!

    Reply
  18. Jeannine Miranda says

    December 7, 2009 at 9:55 pm

    Addiction is a horrible thing….whatever the addiction may be.

    Good luck to all! Sounds like a good read.

    Reply
  19. Trudy says

    December 7, 2009 at 7:54 pm

    This sounds like an interesting book. Her addiction might have been alcohol but the process of getting clean is similar for all addictions. Please enter me.

    Reply
  20. Christi says

    December 7, 2009 at 7:45 pm

    Thanks for the chance to win. Would love to read this after reading your review.

    Reply
  21. Sharon Walling says

    December 7, 2009 at 6:41 pm

    I am a big memoir reader. I would love to win this book.

    Thanks for the chance.

    [email protected]

    Reply
  22. susan says

    December 7, 2009 at 5:47 pm

    I have some family members that are alcoholics. I would love to get this book.

    Reply
  23. Benita G . says

    December 7, 2009 at 5:31 pm

    Reading about how someone has overcome hardship strengthens us. I’d like to read this memoir.

    bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Reply
  24. Jennifer says

    December 7, 2009 at 4:32 pm

    I’d love to read it. Thanks for the opportunity!

    Reply
  25. Wendy says

    December 7, 2009 at 4:23 pm

    she’s a great memoirist. i’d love to read this latest one!

    Reply
  26. Just Mom says

    December 7, 2009 at 3:48 pm

    I just saw this on the NEA 2009 recommended list and thought it sounded good – please enter me! Thanks for hosting the giveaway.

    Reply
  27. Linda says

    December 7, 2009 at 2:34 pm

    What an opportunity to understand the mind of alcoholism and a way to help others. Please enter me. Thank you.

    Reply
  28. Rita says

    December 7, 2009 at 11:11 am

    Read an excerpt in a recent issue of O magazine–wonderful writing. Please enter me.

    Reply
  29. Hailey says

    December 7, 2009 at 11:01 am

    Sounds great! Count me in!!

    Reply
  30. edj says

    December 7, 2009 at 7:05 am

    Ok I think I just left a comment but I’m not seeing it. I’m not trying to enter twice…just trying to make sure I’m in at least once 😉 My connection has issues today.
    I love well-written memoir. Please enter me (once) to win!

    Reply
  31. Tina says

    December 7, 2009 at 5:13 am

    Please enter me! I would love to read Lit.
    Thanks.

    Reply
  32. Julie L says

    December 7, 2009 at 12:24 am

    I know several people who have/have had addictions. I think I would enjoy reading her book

    Reply

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