Lit

by Mary Karr
Lit cover
Good Books rating 4.33
Biography and Memoir
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Paperback • £12.99
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  • ID: 1833
  • Added: 2025-10-10
  • Updated: 2025-10-10
  • ISBN: 9780007549160
  • Publisher: HarperCollins UK
  • Published: 2013-12-12
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

In 'Lit: A Memoir,' Mary Karr takes readers on a harrowing journey through her descent into alcoholism and madness. With unflinching honesty, she recounts her struggles and the desperate measures she took to escape her own self-destruction. The memoir is not just a story of addiction but also a testament to the power of faith and the possibility of rebirth. /n/nKarr's vivid and poetic prose brings her experiences to life, making the reader feel every moment of her pain and triumph. This is a powerful narrative of resilience and the human spirit's capacity for transformation.

Reviews
Kate Hanley's Blog · Kate Hanley · 2025-10-10
uplifting 4.50

The memoir evokes heart-warming and fuzzy feelings, leaving a lasting positive impression on the reader.

Kate Hanley from her personal blog finds Lit to be a heart-warming and uplifting read. She mentions that the good and fuzzy feelings from the book have kept a smile on her face for some time. Hanley appreciates Karr's ability to evoke such positive emotions while dealing with heavy subjects. She finds the memoir to be a beautiful and inspiring journey that leaves a lasting positive impression on the reader.

Quick quotes

    It is heart-warming and creates a lot of good fuzzy feelings.

    The good and fuzzy from this book has kept a smile on my face for some time.

    Karr's ability to evoke such positive emotions while dealing with heavy subjects.

The Cresset · 2011-04-01
powerful 4.00

The book is challenging to read due to its raw and unflinching portrayal of Karr's struggles, but it is ultimately a powerful and moving memoir.

The reviewer from The Cresset acknowledges that Lit is a tough read from start to finish, much like Karr's previous bestsellers. They appreciate the raw and unflinching portrayal of her struggles, which makes the memoir both challenging and deeply moving. The reviewer finds that Karr's ability to confront her demons head-on is both inspiring and heart-wrenching. Despite the difficulty of the subject matter, they find the book to be a powerful exploration of human resilience and the journey towards redemption.

Quick quotes

    The book is tough to read, from start to finish, albeit nowhere nearly as tough as The Liars' Club (1995) and Cherry (2000), both bestsellers, in which Karr...

    Karr's ability to confront her demons head-on is both inspiring and heart-wrenching.

    The reviewer finds the book to be a powerful exploration of human resilience and the journey towards redemption.

The New York Times · Susan Cheever · 2009-11-15
profound 4.50

The memoir beautifully intertwines the struggles of recovery with the complexities of motherhood and divorce. It is praised for its raw honesty and poetic prose.

Susan Cheever from The New York Times highlights how Mary Karr's third memoir masterfully layers the pangs of recovery with the challenges of motherhood, divorce, and the act of creating art. They appreciate the raw and honest confessions that Karr shares, making it a deeply personal and relatable read. The prose is poetic, yet it never shies away from the harsh realities of her experiences, making it a compelling journey for the reader. Cheever finds the book to be a profound exploration of human resilience and the transformative power of art.

Quick quotes

    Mary Karr's third memoir layers the pangs of recovery with those of motherhood, divorce and making art.

    It is a beautiful book, very well written, and beautifully told.

    Karr's accomplishment as a writer in this inspiring memoir and moved by her journey as a human.

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