Title: The Alcoholic
Author: Jonathan Ames
First published September 9, 2008
136 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781401210564 (ISBN10: 1401210562)
Rating: 3.77
Overview
Renowned author Jonathan Ames takes on his first graphic novel with THE ALCOHOLIC, featuring the stunning illustrations of THE QUITTER’s Dean Haspiel. This powerful, yet humorous tale delves into the life of a struggling writer, fresh off a disastrous relationship and desperate for meaning.
But when his quest for purpose leads him to the depths of alcoholism, he finds himself lost in a series of bizarre and unpredictable experiences. With heart and humor, THE ALCOHOLIC is a beautiful exploration of one man’s journey to find himself amidst the chaos.
About the Author
Jonathan Ames is a renowned author who has written several books, including The Double Life is Twice As Good, I Pass Like Night, The Extra Man, What’s Not to Love?, My Less Than Secret Life, Wake Up, Sir!, I Love You More Than You Know, and The Alcoholic, which was illustrated by Dean Haspiel. He has also edited Sexual Metamorphosis: An Anthology of Transsexual Memoirs.
Mr. Ames is an accomplished writer who has been recognized with a Guggenheim Fellowship and has worked as a columnist for New York Press. Some of his books have been adapted into films, which he wrote the screenplays for.
He even played himself in a TV special for the Showtime network, which aired in 2007 and 2008.
In addition to writing, Mr. Ames is a talented storyteller and has performed frequently, often with The Moth. He has also written a TV pilot for the HBO network, which will be filmed in the fall of 2008 and will star Jason Schwartzman as “Jonathan Ames.” The pilot was originally a short story published in McSweeney’s #24 (fall 2007).
Mr. Ames has had a varied career, having had two amateur boxing matches under the name “The Herring Wonder.” He also had a one-man show off-off-Broadway, entitled Oedipussy. He even had the lead role in the IFC film and was a porn-extra in the porn film.
Editoral Review
In his memoir, “The Alcoholic,” Jonathan Ames presents a raw, poignant, and often darkly comedic exploration of life as an alcoholic. With a narrative style that is at times meandering, poetic, and sharply observed, Ames delivers a powerful account of addiction, family dynamics, and the human condition.
The novel follows the life of the eponymous alcoholic, who is an aspiring writer grappling with his addiction while trying to make sense of his past and navigate his present. The novel is structured as a series of vignettes, each detailing an episode in the protagonist’s life, from his childhood to his adulthood.
One of the strengths of the book is its vivid portrayal of the protagonist, who is a complex and nuanced character. Ames has a gift for creating characters that are flawed, sympathetic, and deeply human.
The protagonist’s struggles with addiction are rendered with an unflinching honesty, and Ames does an excellent job of conveying the desperation, shame, and self-loathing that often come with alcoholism. Another strength of the book is Ames’s writing style, which is both poetic and raw.
The prose is lyrical and evocative, and Ames has a gift for finding beauty in the mundane details of everyday life. At the same time, the author does not shy away from the darker aspects of the protagonist’s life, and the novel is laced with a grim humor that is both unsettling and cathartic.
Despite its many strengths, “The Alcoholic” is not without flaws. The episodic nature of the narrative can be a bit disorienting at times, and there are moments when the story feels like it is shuffling in place.
Additionally, some readers may find the protagonist’s self-destructive tendencies to be frustrating or difficult to relate to, which could detract from their overall enjoyment of the book. Overall, “The Alcoholic” is a thought-provoking and deeply affecting memoir that will resonate with readers who have experienced addiction or struggled with mental health issues.
While not without its flaws, Ames’s novel is a powerful and poignant meditation on the human condition and a testament to the healing power of storytelling. I would recommend this book to readers who are looking for a raw and heartbreaking exploration of addiction, family, and identity.
4/5 stars.
