The writer Jowita Bydlowska discusses her memoir Drunk Mom (Doubleday, 2013), and her struggle with alcoholism, with Joseph Planta.

Drunk Mom by Jowita Bydlowska (Doubleday, 2013). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Drunk Mom

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, at TheCommentary.ca.

One of the more powerful books of the year was released this past spring, Drunk Mom. The notices were quite good, and its author was lauded (and sometimes chastised) for being remarkably honest about being a new mother and recalling as best she could her spiral into addiction. She had done something about her relationship to booze prior to the birth of her son—she was clean and sober for three years or so—however it was after her son’s arrival that she started drinking again. It was a glass of champagne at a special occasion with friends and family, and it was the beginning of bouts with binging and blackouts. All during the first year of her son’s life. She’d make regular trips to the liquor store with child in tow. The book’s author Jowita Bydlowska joins me now. I’ll ask her about this book, about why she wrote what she did and when, as well as the response she’s gotten critical or otherwise. Jowita Bydlowska was born in Poland and came to Canada as a teen. Her writing has been published in sundry publications including the Huffington Post and Salon. The website for more is at www.jowitabydlowska.com. Ms. Bydlowska joined me last week while in town for appearances with the Vancouver Writers Festival. Drunk Mom is published by Doubleday. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Jowita Bydlowska; Ms. Bydlowska, good morning.

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