by James Brown
This is the heart-breaking story of the author and his brother and sister, all of whom struggled with multiple addictions and tragedies.
Both of Brown’s siblings, Barry and Marilyn Brown, were aspiring actors. Against the sparkling promises of Hollywood, the Browns’ struggles seem particularly dark and hopeless.
Ultimately, Brown’s brother and sister decide they can’t go on and commit suicide. Brown also decides he can’t go on, but he, with the help of the woman who becomes his second wife, stops using drugs and alcohol.
Brown moves from past to present, changing the focus of the story from his mother to his siblings and to their father. Stories of addiction so often become hopeless treadmills of denial and self-destruction. Brown portrays his family with hopes, goals, frustrations, connections and disappointments. Alcohol and drugs help fill the emptiness and fears, but ultimately betray them all.
Brown is sympathetic but open-eyed and realistic in his story-telling.
About the Author: James Brown (1957 – )
