Editorial reviews
Mary Karr’s courageous, enthralling memoir Lit chronicles in unsparing detail her struggle to accept her addiction to alcohol and her truly inspiring resurrection. But like her other best-selling memoir, The Liar’s Club, Karr expertly avoids treading into maudlin, movie-of-the-week territory. That’s because of her keen eye for detail, sharp wit, and expertly-written sentences - all of which sparkle like diamonds in Karr’s no-nonsense performance of her own carefully-chosen words.
Hearing an author read her work always adds a special thrill to the book, especially in this case. Karr is not just writing about a crucial time in her life, a time when she found her voice as a writer, got married, started a family, and everything seemed to be going her way…until her life unraveled. In Lit, Karr confides her inner-most thoughts and fears about actions and events most people would probably never confess to their parish priest. That might explain why her voice sometimes sounds annoyed or irritated. It’s like she can’t believe she actually did the things she did, looking back now as someone sober and stable.
Credit Karr for also dispelling the myth perpetuated by many mainstream movies (sorry, Crazy Heart) that most addicts magically achieve sobriety and never look back. Karr recounts with rigorous honesty one relapse after another and her serious suicidal thoughts after being sober for months and winning a prestigious literary prize. It sounds illogical, but, as Karr explains, “If you live in the dark a long time and the sun comes out, you do not cross into it whistling.” Reading lines like this, Karr reveals a sweet, tender side, often concealed beneath her brassy, Texas twang.
But no matter the tone, Karr’s pitch-perfect choice of words and her sharpshooter’s eye for detail will dazzle anyone who appreciates the fine art of outstanding writing. Karr’s sure-handed voice both literally and figuratively enables Lit to transcend the factual boundaries of confessional memoirs and enter the pantheon of first-class literature. Thank you, Mary Karr, for having the courage and the craft to share with us your truly inspiring story, one spectacular sentence at a time. Ken Ross
Publisher's summary
Lit follows Mary Karr's descent into the inferno of alcoholism and madness - and her astonishing resurrection. Karr's longing for a solid family seems secure when her marriage to a handsome, Shakespeare-quoting poet produces a son they adore. But she can't outrun her apocalyptic past. She drinks herself into the same numbness that nearly devoured her charismatic but troubled mother, reaching the brink of suicide. A hair-raising stint in "The Mental Marriott" awakens her to the possibility of joy, and leads her to an unlikely faith.
Lit is about getting drunk and getting sober; becoming a mother by letting go of a mother; learning to write by learning to live. It is a truly electrifying story of how to grow up - as only Mary Karr can tell it.
Critic reviews
What listeners say about Lit
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Pixie0824
- 04-24-19
Dark and Real
Mary’s voice adds to the exhaustive reality of an all too common life. I resonate so much with her story of a life begun in the American south. Alcohol is insidious and almost impossible to avoid. It colors a life like bright red blood that dries into a dark red, ugly stain.
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- K. Russell
- 07-30-12
Strong Memoir & Fantastic Narration by Mary Karr!
If you could sum up Lit in three words, what would they be?
Compelling. Interesting. Honest.
What did you like best about this story?
I loved how this story didn't just discuss Karr's alcohol addiction, but also how she made her way as a writer and author during this time. You didn't just get "Lit" in regards to being drunk, but also in regards to "literary." I found that aspect of her early life as a writer even more interesting than her addiction.
What does Mary Karr bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
Having Mary Karr read her own story really gave me a sense of place and person. Mary's voice, with its slight southern accent, really added to the nuances of the words and narration. I feel as if I got so much more out of this listening to her read her memoir to me than to read it myself. It was so compelling, I'd find myself doing chores around the house just so I could keep listening to it in on my iPod!
Any additional comments?
If you like a good story by someone who isn't afraid to share it all, to show herself in an unflattering light, and appreciate the writer's life, you'll love this.
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- Bearcat
- 12-05-19
Wow!
I enjoyed this book so much!!! I was not familiar with Ms. Karr prior to listening to this book and as a Syracuse native, I was to find out that she’s practically in my own back yard! I enjoyed her humorous approach, sarcastic candor and just overall real-ness. She tells her story in such a way that it makes you feel like you were there for each situation or encounter that she describes. It’s a long but fantastic listen!
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- Angela
- 11-18-19
moving
wonderfully narrated by the author. thoughtful and funny. one of my favorite reads so far.
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- David O. Cutright
- 04-28-12
I thought it was kinda whiny and fake.
Would you try another book from Mary Karr and/or Mary Karr?
No, I don't think I'll try another book by Mary Karr. I mistakenly thought this was the memoir of an average Jane who overcame struggles with alcoholism, but she is a professional memoirist and a college prof to boot. If you take away all the literary fluff the book would be about 6 or 7 hours long. I actually wish I could personally call her and ask for my money back and tell her I think she is a big fake. Due to the fact that she is a professional I kept wondering if she was just hyping up her alcoholism and after about 3 minutes of her admittance into the mental hospital she is complaining about being there like some angsty kid.
How did the narrator detract from the book?
Her narration was flat and unenethusastic, I thought it was whiny because she doesn't sound thankful at all for her success.
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- mickhez
- 01-16-23
Excellent
Mary Carr’s style of writing and storytelling grabs the readers instantly, taking us from tears to laughter to introspection, all in one short paragraph. Pure joy to have her narrate.
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- Michael J Murphy
- 11-09-23
Excellent
Loved this just as I loved her previous memoirs :) definitely recommend listening to or reading !
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- Mary Beth Kierstead
- 03-08-10
More than just an alcoholic tale
I loved Mary Karr's other two memoirs (which I read in print)and was so excited to see this one out and in her own voice. She explores this time using small moments which she captures so well- Her prose are poetically descriptive. She is brutally honest about her alcoholism without dwelling so much on the gore of her drinking. I found myself identifying with her as a modern mother and wife but you don't have to either to appreciate this story. She does talk about finding god which I thought would be annoying but really wasn't.
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14 people found this helpful
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- jackie
- 12-09-13
Very True Thoughts in the Life of Addiction
Would you consider the audio edition of Lit to be better than the print version?
I enjoyed the audible version
Who was your favorite character and why?
Mary Karrs Mother, She was eccentric and had the biology to make an eccentric child
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
I laughed and cried
Any additional comments?
Beginning was a little slow, the end was marvelous
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- gifts4444you
- 01-24-15
AWESOME! top book to date..audio junkie since '04
Where does Lit rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
top BOOK
What other book might you compare Lit to and why?
very poetic in a modest down to earth way
Any additional comments?
I will buy all her books!
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