Smashed

Story of a Drunken Girlhood

By: Koren Zailckas

Narrated by: Ellen Archer

Length: 10 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

From earliest experimentation to habitual excess to full-blown abuse, 24-year-old Koren Zailckas leads us through her experience of a terrifying trend among young girls, exploring how binge drinking becomes routine, how it becomes "the usual". With the stylistic freshness of a poet and the dramatic gifts of a novelist, Zailckas describes her first sip at 14, alcohol poisoning at 16, a blacked-out sexual experience at 19, total disorientation after waking up in an unfamiliar New York City apartment at 22, when she realized she had to stop, and all the depression, rage, troubled friendships, and sputtering romantic connections in between.

Zailckas' unflinching candor and exquisite analytical eye get to the meaning beneath the seeming banality of girls' getting drunk. She persuades us that her story is the story of thousands of girls like her who are not alcoholics (yet) but who use booze as a short cut to courage, a stand-in for good judgment, and a bludgeon for shyness, each of them failing to see how their emotional distress, unarticulated hostility, and depression are entangled with their socially condoned binging.

Like the contemporary masterpieces The Liars' Club, Autobiography of a Face, and Jarhead, Smashed is destined to become a classic. A crucial book for any woman who has succumbed to oblivion through booze, or for anyone ready to face the more subtle repercussions of their own chronic over-drinking or of someone they love, Smashed is an eye-opening, wise, and utterly gripping achievement.

©2005 Koren Zailckas (P)2005 Tantor Media, Inc.

Critic reviews

"This raw, eye-opening memoir will deepen readers' understanding of American culture and perhaps their own lives." (Booklist)
"Zailckas is unsparingly insightful and acutely aware of what drinking can and does do to girls....Her book is deeply moving, written in poetic, nuanced prose that never obscures the dangerous truths she seeks to reveal." (Publishers Weekly)

Social outcry

Essential for all teenagers boys and girls.
More important for college policy makers if they can put safety of students ahead of profit

Sort of Interesting

i wasn't quite sure what to expect from this book but gave it a shot. i am in total agreement with Koren's take on the Alcohol Biz but am not willing to let individual responsibility slide as she is. No one Forced Koren or her peeps to get hammered night after night. just like when she stopped drinking it wasn't because booze wasn't advertised any more. one thing still puzzles me is why supposedly smart people kept doing it to themselves? were they all raped by their fathers? or liberated from death camps? what generated the trauma that could only be dealt with by getting smashed. i did think the book dragged a bit after awhile. i mean how many times can you relate drunken episodes without them becoming more of the same. i was glad for Koren her tale didn't get worse and worse and she saw the writing on the wall and wised up. i do have to say this is only a women's issue in the same way Naomi Wolf's Beauty Trap is a women's issue cause you girrls do it to yerselves.
i would be interested if she did a follow up piece. one of those "Where Are They Now" bits on her former bar buddies. how many crashed and burned? got it together and why ? still right where she left them?

Beware

Having grownup in an alcoholic household, I was very interested in listening to this book. How did she live or have a liver was my first question, 2nd question was how did she even remember half of what was written, but what was most disturbing was the fact she felt she could still drink. I became very angry at the author and the lack of intervention by her family that should have been done.

This book could have helped so many kids who think its cool getting drunk or it will solve their immediate problems. Maybe it will if they find this book as sad as I did.

Outstanding

I am a fan of recovery literature of all types. In my opinion, it takes a great author to develop a meaningful and gripping personal story of recovery because so many of them are alike. This one was different. While the author speaks of her experience (which is not all that different than most stories of substance abuse), her style holds the reader's attention and keeps them wanting more. Well done! I would love to hear a follow-on story of Koren's life after abuse.

Perfect Representation of Alcohol Abuse in College

Would you consider the audio edition of Smashed to be better than the print version?

I like to read along in the paper version as the audio plays on a headset. I enjoy this more than just one or the other.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

This book was a perfect representation of alcohol abuse in college. I am sad to say, but this is the fairly common college experience for most students these days. Koren does an excellent job of nailing the emotions that go along with alcohol use and abuse as a growing and developing woman. This is a must read for high-school students about to attend college or those already there and having or seeing others in trouble with alcohol abuse. It pinpoints the obvious and imminent dangers with-in the drinking sub-culture at college.

A must for Parents

Very informative and frigthening at the same time. Talk to your kids about drinking before it's too late.

A Great Read for Anyone in Recovery

Would you consider the audio edition of Smashed to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print, I liked listening to it

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

It was really relatable, even when Koren was talking about something I couldn't directly relate to.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It was much too long for one sitting

Any additional comments?

This is a great book. Koren described a lot of things I have experienced and a lot of things I haven't, but I felt like I was listening to a kindred spirit tell a familiar story.

Awesome Listen

A very insightful look into a woman's journey with alcohol. BOTTOMS UP KOR ! 😎

Self-Centered Navel Gazing

The author has quit drinking because alcohol became a problem for her, but she's not an alcoholic. She spends an inordinate amount of time describing the minute details of her life that fascinate her totally. Koren may not be much, but she is all that she thinks about. It amazes me that this book has sold as well as it has. Just another example from our narcissistic society.

could be used as a self help book

I was hoping that this book would be filled with scandalous,insane booze stories disguised as an attempt to send a message agaist underage drinking. It definitely was not. it brought to light many current statistics about women and drink without being preachy, and told about one to many drunken nights all to familiar to alcohol abusers. I liked that she didn't glorify her drinking, and i think that this book may help someone who has trouble functioning socially without a drink in their hand. The pace was a bit slow though, the narration was great.