Title: All Fall Down
Author: Jennifer Weiner
Narrator: Tracee Chimo
Unabridged Length: 12 hrs, 44 mn.
Here is a summary of the book from the publisher's
website:
Allison Weiss got her
happy ending: a handsome husband, an adorable daughter, a job she loves,
and the big house in the suburbs. But while waiting in the
pediatrician's office, she opens a magazine to a quiz about addiction
and starts to wonder: Is a Percocet at the end of the day really
different from a glass of wine? Is it such a bad thing to pop a Vicodin
after a brutal Jump & Pump class, or if your husband ignores you?
She tells herself that the pills help her make it through her days; but
what if her increasing drug use, a habit that's becoming expensive and
hard to hide, is turning into her biggest problem of all?
My Review:
Do you ever pick a book without knowing anything about it? That's what happened with this one, and it turned out to be a winner in my book! I've always liked rollercoasters so maybe that is what attracted me to this novel. This audiobook turned out to be a rollercoaster ride of Allison's life that was non-stop, from beginning to end.
As the book opens I thought Allison to be your average mother/housewife, taking her daughter to the pediatrician. It doesn't take long to catch on to her abuse of prescription painkillers, as with every little crisis in her day, she finds herself needing to pop a pill to get her through the next couple of hours.
Wiener did a wonderful job of of relaying the thought process of someone addicted to painkillers. I've heard of people seeking prescriptions from various doctors, and this method is explored in this novel. She even goes so far to cover up her abuse that she opens another bank account to transfer funds, allowing her to keep an ample supply through the mail.
It's easy to see Allison's life spinning out of control as she makes her downward spiral. When she no longer can complete daily tasks it doesn't take her family long to figure out what is transpiring. When they confront her with their discoveries, of course she tries to pass it off as if no problem exists, but finally, she concludes that her daughter deserves more than this. This decision starts Allison on a new rollercoaster ride as she is admitted into a treatment center.
This book turned out to be so much more than I expected and Tracee Chimo did a great job of narrating Allison's character. There was no doubt of Allison's need and desire of her painkillers with Chimo's narration. With themes of addiction, family, and perseverance, you may enjoy this book as much as I did. I don't hesitate in recommending this book for personal leisure or as a book club selection.
My Rating: 4/5
Disclosure: This audiobook was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
