Lit: A Memoir

TheLiars'Clubbroughttovivid,indeliblelifeMaryKarr'shardscrabbleTexaschildhood.Cherry,heraccountofheradolescence,'continuedtosettheliterarystandardformakingthepersonaluniversal'(EntertainmentWeekly).NowLitfollowstheself-professedblackbeltsinner'sdescentintotheinfernoofalcoholismandmadness--andtoherastonishingresurrection.Karr'slongingforasolidfamilyseemssecurewhenhermarriagetoahandsome,Shakespeare-quotingbluebloodpoetproducesasontheyadore.Butshecan'toutrunherapocalypticpast.Shedrinksherselfintothesamenumbnessthatnearlydevouredhercharismaticbuttroubledmother,reachingthebrinkofsuicide.Ahair-raisingstintin'TheMentalMarriott,'withanoddballtribeofgurusandsaviors,awakenshertothepossibilityofjoyandleadshertoanunlikelyfaith.NotsinceSaintAugustinecried,'Givemechastity,Lord-butnotyet!'hasaconversionstoryrungwithsuchdarkhilarity.Litisaboutgettingdrunkandgettingsober,becomingamotherbylettinggoofamother,learningtowritebylearningtolive.WrittenwithKarr'srelentlesshonesty,unflinchingself-scrutiny,andirreverent,laceratinghumor,itisatrulyelectrifyingstoryofhowtogrowup--asonlyMaryKarrcantellit.