Diary of an Alcoholic Housewife [Paperback]

Brenda Wilhelmson (Author)

Book Description

Release date: April 1, 2011

Brenda Wilhelmson was like a lot of women in her neighborhood. She had a husband and two children. She was educated and made a good living as a writer. She had a vibrant social life with a tight circle of friends. She could party until dawn and take her kids to school the next day. From the outside, she appeared to have it all together. But, in truth, alcohol was slowly taking over, turning her world on its side.

Waking up to another hangover, growing tired of embarrassing herself in front of friends and family, and feeling important moments slip away, Brenda made the most critical decision of her life: to get sober. She kept a diary of her first year (and beyond) in recovery, chronicling the struggles of finding a meeting she could look forward to, relating to her fellow alcoholics, and finding a sponsor with whom she connected. Along the way, she discovered the challenges and pleasures of living each day without alcohol, navigating a social circle where booze is a centerpiece, and dealing with her alcoholic father's terminal illness and denial.

Brenda Wilhelmson's Diary of an Alcoholic Housewife offers insight, wisdom, and relevance for readers in recovery, as well as their loved ones, no matter how long they've been sober.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Bronze Star Winner in the Autobiography/Memoir category of the 2012 Independent Publisher Book Awards

About the Author

Brenda Wilhelmson has written for the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Reader, and Advertising Age's Creativity. This is her first book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Hazelden; 1 edition (April 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1616490861
• ISBN-13: 978-1616490867
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.9 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #112,348 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Could be harmful August 31, 2011

By ltanner

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have never written a review before, but after reading this book, I felt compelled to do so. I do understand that this is the author's personal account of her recovery process. I gave the book 2 stars simply because her writing it could come from a place of courage. I do not know her motives, nor will try to understand them. However, I am a recovering person and have been in the program for several years and most of this book scared me. I would not want a new recovering person to pick this book up... period. I have been to meetings all over and do know that each person and group is different, but there are still some basic tenets that are (or should be) the same throughout the program. The first and foremost is that no person new in recovery should expose themselves to as much drinking as the author did when she became sober. She may have been able to do it, but it is such dangerous behavior and many fail. Secondly, we are told to go to 90 meetings in 90 days and the author chose to ignore this and even admitted that she was not commiting to it. And last, never should a recovering person have a sponsor that is of the opposite sex- the reasons being obvious...
Sure, this is just one woman's account and sure, no one is forced to read it. But, as a recovering person with more than a year of sobriety, WE (the author and any of us) have a responsibilty to newcomers and accountability for what we say and do, as anyone could use her as an example. I am afraid of this book and very surprised (and disappointed) that Hazeldon chose to publish it. Please- if you are new in recovery and choose to read this book, proceed with caution. What works for one may not (and, in this case, usually doesn't) work for someone else.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing August 12, 2011

By Koo

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I had high expectations when I bought this book, but I found it hard to read. It felt more like a platform for the author to vent her irritation at her friends and everyone who crossed her path than about her recovery. Halfway I considered not finishing the book but then thought that the author may be staging as part of her recovery a developing tolerance towards others, or at least the ability to walk away from relationships that clearly weren't worth hanging around for. That didn't happen. Very disappointing. I got nothing out of this book at all, other than an icky feeling.

17 of 21 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars blah blah blah August 30, 2011

By irishgirl

Format:Paperback

I purchased this book because a friend of mine was reading it for her book club. She called me a week later to say don't bother with it.....as she had started it and hated it. It was too late. I had already bought it and so I read it. I have always liked stories about people who have overcome adversity. Their humble stories of courage and strength motivate me to be a better person. The first few pages of this book are OK.....somewhat funny and seem honest. About a third of the way into the book you start to see the real personality of Brenda.....and it has nothing to do with alcohol. This woman literally has a problem with every single person in her life. She methodically takes them down hoping you will find her to somehow stand out as a better stronger person. Especially disturbing is her complete disrespect for her parents who she could find nothing good to say about. Its interesting to me that her Mother in law Martha gets a pass for her drinking, yet her Father, who seems to drink about the same, gets thrown under the bus. I also loved her BIG reveal at the recovery meeting. Everyone is telling their painful yet truthful stories and hers is that she had gotten pregnant with her second child to avoid drinking. Not only do I not believe her but I think she threw something as stupid as this out there to say" Hey I'm not nearly as bad as all of you people here". I do think Brenda has a real problem the least of which is drinking. She comes across in this book as spoiled, selfish, fake and immature. I would not bother with this book. If anything it will make you want to drink.