Lush

By: Kerry Cohen

Narrated by: Allyson Ryan

Length: 5 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's Summary

"For those of us wrestling with demons - and who isn't? - Lush is a solace as powerful as red wine."(Claire Dederer, best-selling author of Love and Trouble: A Midlife Reckoning)

When Kerry Cohen reached her early 40s, she realized she had a drinking problem - just enough to blur the edges of her life that had become a monotony of working, carpooling the kids to school, and everyday distractions. What she also realized was that she wasn't the only one.

Lush is a gripping memoir that examines Kerry's struggles with alcohol, a struggle that a rising number of middle-aged women are facing today, as alcohol dependency among females drastically increases. A wonderfully poignant and relatable follow-up to her best-selling memoir Loose Girl, Lush follows Kerry as she attempts to rediscover the awe in her life, leaving mistakes, regrets, and the bottle behind her.

©2018 Kerry Cohen (P)2018 Tantor

Excellent Read

Excellent read. I Will definitely purchase Loose Girl. Look forward to reading her other book.

Good read

The only thing I guess I didn’t like is the moderation part. I think it’s hard to moderate. Especially when u dint have the ability to do it. I also agree with her in AA. It’s not for everyone. I think the constant reminder u have a disease is a downer. I think like she said u have to work on yourself and why u r running to drinking alcohol. That’s the key

SAD

She is not an asshole (as mentioned in the book) because that would be an insult to real assholes. She is a narcissistic dry drunk. I was intrigued by her story in the beginning, but she trash talks true recovery. Her cavalier attitude towards 12 step programs and other recovery programs is a disservice to those who still suffer.

Honest

Read Loose Girl in college. This is basically the follow up to that. Really found it easy to get engrossed in bc the author is so honest especially towards her own actions. I found this book helpful as an insight to an period in life that isn’t often written about but people are now staring to tell this interesting life stories which I really appreciate.

Eh

Why the need for the vulgar language? I’m not a prude but it was unnecessary.
I couldn’t really connected with the narrator and so the book didn’t have any impact. Just Eh.

I related to this book a lot.

I agree with the author that the human condition is enough to need a 12 step program . I too have dual addictions .

Much more up to date recovery options.

Very informational about more realistic, up to date recovery options for women. This book discusses AA, which was written for men in 1935 and just doesn't help many of "today's" women trying to maintain sobriety. It discusses other options that are available and more in tune with today's modern woman.

Just Ok

I was expecting more stories and not so much AS / therapy speak. What stories she told were entertaining.

Interesting Perspective

This book presents a very interesting perspective on addiction. The author has several addictions, not just to alcohol as the title suggests, so much is covered from a variety of angles. It is well-written and interesting.

Narrator has an annoying voice and story is tragically horrific and disgusting

Wow - it’s one thing to have a drinking problem and figuring out how to deal with it, as well as struggles with relationships, marriage, parenting, and men.....that is understandable and you wish for repair.....HOWEVER....this is a totally different level!

She had zero standards, is crude, trashy, and has no self respect....at all.....completely destructive, willing to sleep with anyone and do anything....shocking, revolting, and makes you feel gross even listening....but you have to finish the book because it’s like a train wreck you can’t look away from.

She has no remorse and probably no real intent to change....anything

Don’t even start listening....you will be screaming at her to just stop! Stop, stop, stop with her terrible choices, and awful, awful behavior!

All she cares about is drinking, smoking cigarettes, and finding the next man to sleep with (which she crudely and repeatedly describes).

Her poor children, living this life she puts them through....

It’s amazing she even still has friends by the end of the story.....unless there are that many people out there who are just like her.

She gets “better” in the last 20 minutes of the book, but good grief....not sure it will stick.