Lit
Mary Karr
2009
386 pages
Published by Harper Perennial
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FTC divulgation (yes, I’ve resorted to the thesaurus): I received a copy of this book from the publisher, because I am participating in a TLC book tour. Thank you Harper Perennial and TLC!
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I’m a big fan of The Glass Castle, and when people talk about The Glass Castle they often mention Mary Karr’s The Liar’s Club as another memoir that is highly readable and not full of woe-is-me. So I’ve been meaning to read The Liar’s Club for ages, but, well, you know how it goes. There always seems to be another book that pushes its way forward.
So when Trish asked if I’d be interested in reading Lit for a TLC tour, I figured it was meant to be. I’d finally get to experience Mary Karr, and the tour would force me to read her sooner rather than later. Sometimes I like a little push to get me to read something or someone I’ve been meaning to read.
But then I read that in Lit, Karr discusses how she found religion. And I’ll confess that I was suddenly leery, because I usually avoid religion, religious proselytizing and religious conversions of any kind. Church and gods are just something I do not do.
However, I needn’t have worried. Lit kicks ass. And so does Karr (I’m not exaggerating…I figure she could easily kick my ass in those wicked black stilettos she seems so fond of). She readily admits that she’s a doubting bitch (heck, she admits to just being a bitch in general) and even after her conversion, a bad Catholic. But she’s a helluva writer. Seriously, people…talk about being held in thrall.
Let me back up a bit, though. The Liar’s Club, for those of you (like me) unfamiliar with the book, tells of Karr’s childhood. The Karr’s are definitely not the Cleaver’s, and Karr’s childhood is rough, to put it mildly (she summarizes it in Lit for those who have not read The Liar’s Club…for those who have, she tells you to skip ahead). Her next book, Cherry, chronicles her adolescence. Lit picks up Karr’s story after high school, when she wimps out on college and decides instead to bum a ride to California from friends. After a few months of working in a factory and living in a hovel, she decides college just might be the better option. But after two years of feeling incredibly out of place in a Midwestern college she drops out and goes to work as a bartender, writing poetry in her spare time. Karr eventually enrolls in a poetry program, graduates, sells a book of poems, gets married, has a baby boy, gets divorced, and finally lands a contract to publish a memoir. And she finds God. I’m giving nothing away here, as those are just the bare bones of the story. And it sounds like such a banal story. What makes it so compelling is Karr’s honesty. For a good many years, she was a raging alcoholic. Alcohol becomes her obsession, and it makes for a harrowing, often uncomfortable, read. Karr holds no punches, talking about how she justified her drinking, and what led her to it. After years of therapy, she’s able to give a fairly good account of her actions and reasons, but she is also brutally honest and that’s what makes this book so fascinating. There are also a few surprises along the way (like finally realizing who David was…I finally put it together during the coffee table scene, but only because there was mention of him in one of her bios. Don’t worry, if you read the book, it’s made clear in the interview at the end). Anyways, that’s a trivial detail, and it has no bearing on the story. There are a few unexpected things that I won’t mention, because they’ll probably make your eyebrows raise higher than they’re already raised.
I read almost the entire book in one day…I would’ve finished it, but I had to get up and go to work the next day. Which makes me sound like a total wimp, but I don’t function well on minimal sleep. This is an amazing read, in a number of ways.
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For more info on Mary Karr and Lit, as well as a listing of the other tour stops, check out the TLC tour page for Lit.
Karr has been on my radar for quite some time. Wonder if I should start at the beginning with The Liars Club… I have this thing about reading a series out of order.
JoAnn´s last [type] ..Wordless Wednesday- July 14
Also really enjoyed this and posted on it yesterday. Had not read her previous two memoirs and was leery of the conversion angle like you so this was a really pleasant surprise. And one more like you – I devoured it. Could not put it down.
I am so glad you got a chance to read something by Karr. I loved all her memoirs and actually probably thought Lit was the weakest, so I would definitely suggest reading both The Lair’s Club and Cherry.
Stephanie´s last [type] ..Q&A with Erin McCahan
I am an idiot for passing this one up – twice! Must check it out from the library. I’m a bad cradle Catholic, so I’m sure I’ll enjoy what she has to say about being a bad convert. LOL!
Thanks for the great review!
Literate Housewife´s last [type] ..Tuesday’s Temptation July 13
I don’t usually like memoirs, but after your endorsement, I might give this one a try. After all, there was that divulgation and all…
rhapsodyinbooks´s last [type] ..Review of “A Northern Light” by Jennifer Donnelly
I am a memoir junkie and cannot wait to read this!
That’s it! I’m dedicating tomorrow to just reading this book! I think one of the best things about Karr period is her honesty. It’s refreshing after reading so many memoirs. She was recently interviewed in the Paris Review and cracked me up about writing and being Catholic. Great review. I hope you read The Liar’s Club soon.
I am on this tour as well, and I loved the book. I think it was just beyond cool that Karr is so honest about her behavior, both good and bad, and she has a way of chronicling her life that makes everything seem very immediate. I loved your review and am so glad that you loved the book! I am going to have to go back and read her others as well!
zibilee´s last [type] ..Sugar by Bernice McFadden — 240 pgs
I dislike anything religion/god-mentioning, as well….but I loved this book. Karr came as close as anyone ever will to making a dent in my in the religion department. That woman can WRITE!
Michele@ A Reader’s Respite´s last [type] ..A Literary Edu-ma-cation
I’ve meant to read Liar’s Club for ages but haven’t managed it. This sounds really good. I can’t stand the woe-is-me memoirs. I’ll have to keep my eye out for this one and maybe it will get me to read Liar’s Club too, finally!
Stefanie´s last [type] ..New Library for Ghent
I’ve been meaning to read Mary Karr for years too. When Lit came out, I pondered reading it, but I worried not having read The Liar’s Club would hinder my understanding and enjoyment. I’m glad to hear you loved it, and I’ll get to it sooner rather than later (I hope).
OK, you got me. I was steering clear of this one because of the hype, which is just what I do (unless Justin Cronin is involved). That whole “bitch” bit got me, though. I’m totally onboard because your review kicks ass! Stiletto ass!
Andi´s last [type] ..PS – Save the Libraries!
I’ve read both The Liar’s Club and Cherry and I absolutely LOVED The Liar’s Club!
I’m so glad she’s got another book out and that you enjoyed it. It’s definitely going on my TBR list!
I read this when it came out in HC and appreciated her honesty and wit. Being a recovering Catholic and alcoholic myself, it was really easy to relate to. (Yes, I purposely said recovering Catholic)
Religion is subject that usually makes me head for the hills, but Karr made it so funny.
Gwen´s last [type] ..Review Triangle- The Fire that Changed America by David Von Drehle
I just started this one yesterday (also on the tour) and have been tearing through it. I’ve read Karr’s other two memoirs, but I have a feeling I may end up like this one best.
Florinda´s last [type] ..Weekly Geeks 2010-23- The Tale of the Trailer
I’m a bad reader – I haven’t even read The Glass Castle let alone The Liar’s Club. But now I want to read this, and my readerOCD will force me to read The Liar’s Club and the book that’s like The Liar’s Club first.
Trisha´s last [type] ..Serious Gaps in My Reading
Jill, you make this sound so good! I think I’d prefer reading her first two memoirs, though, before getting to “Lit” — even if she summarizes “what happens before” at the beginning..
Valerie´s last [type] ..A Show and Tell- and Sharing Some Mid-Week Thoughts
I have 50-50 luck with memoirs, especially inspirational — I overcame my problems — type memoirs. But you have certainly made these sound worth the read.
Beth F´s last [type] ..Featuring Everything Here Is the Best Thing Ever by Justin Taylor
Liar’s Club is a tough read and it was good but I’d hesitate to say I really liked reading it. I was reading it for a special topics class on memoir-writing. I still keep in touch with the professor of that class and he was excitedly mentioning Lit, so I will probably get to reading it. I in turn recommended that he read The Glass Castle, which I adored.
Christy´s last [type] ..Buying Time by Pamela Samuels Young
I read “Liar’s Club” ages ago and it was the book that really hooked me on memoirs. I read “Lit” when it came out last year. She is brutally honest … and her conversion is so utterly believable that I felt she made a better case for religion than any other Christian I met who has tried to convert me. Make time for LIar’s Club too .. it is superb.
Jenners´s last [type] ..Recommending Books- Part 2 Plus A Mini Wrap-Up
I love your reviews.
I read The Liar’s Club years ago and thought it was excellent- I preferred it to The Glass Castle, and anytime someone raves about the Wells book, I’m one of those annoying people who says, “Yes, but have you read The Liar’s Club?”
Lisamm´s last [type] ..I’m Not Dead
I love a memoir, and I also kind of like books where Catholicism isn’t put in an utterly bad light–the Church has been getting a lot of bad press lately, and it deserves it of course, but it’s nice to see a better side of my own religion.
Jenny´s last [type] ..Review- The Latin Letters of C S Lewis- ed and trans Martin Moynihan
Wow, an almost-one-day read?! That is really saying something!
Thanks for being a part of the tour – I’m thrilled that you enjoyed this one so much.
Oh this sounds good. I have not read Liars Club either.
Sheila (Bookjourney)´s last [type] ..The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold book- audio- and movie – a love hate relationship
So I’m trying my hardest to be more picky about what I read. And in your review, when you mentioned religion I almost stopped reading. But something told me to continue on and I’m glad I did. Because this actually sounds really interesting. And if the writing is as amazing as you say it is, I think it’s something I should read. I’m trying to read more works by better authors hoping that some of their writing skill will hopefully rub off on me.
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