And the Monkey Lets Go

by Scott J. Hunter

Drug-addled and college-educated, Scott Hunter set off from Amherst College in 1967 to find the meaning of life. On a journey that took him from a Christian seminary to Thailand, from an antiquated state school for developmentally challenged children to hitchhiking throughout the U.S., from living in a teepee to homelessness, Scott discovered drugs, poetry, politics, and many interesting characters—but not happiness, joy, or inner peace. Twenty years later, when his travels finally brought him to AA and NA, long-distance running, and philosophical gardening, he discovered insights that help him understand his own demons—but will they be enough?

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

337 pages, Paperback

Published April 7, 2020

About the author

Scott J. Hunter is the author of And the Monkey Lets Go: Memoirs Through Illusion and Doubt released on April 7th, 2020 from Mascot Books.

Scott J. Hunter graduated from Amherst College with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and dramatic arts and McCormick Seminary with a Master of Divinity. He has a Masters in rehabilitation services with a concentration in substance abuse counseling from Springfield College. The grandson of Matthew Albert Hunter, inventor of the Hunter Process for producing titanium, Scott channeled his creativity through his boutique landscaping company Philosophical Gardening—the earth is my canvas.

Scott is currently working on a handbook for emotional development for children and young adults, and a piece of fiction.

Check out his thrice weekly posts on meditation, addiction and emotions, and serendipity on Instagram and Facebook. #andthemonkeyletsgo.

Reviews

[N.N. Heaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scott J. Hunter has lived a full life, full of adventures and trials, yet with each tribulation, he’s garnered the strength to dig himself out of the pit of despair. He’s tried every drug imaginable and lived to share his experiences. He’s right, for all the drugs he ingested into his body, he should be dead. But he isn’t. He’s here and wants to help others get out from under the monkey of addiction.

I’ve read quite a few books lately on drug addiction and the one thing I’ve learned is it takes immense strength to move through the rehab process. Drugs are serious addictions and only those with the strength and support system like AA and NA can defeat it. And the Monkey Lets Go illustrates in detail an addict’s struggle. It is eye-opening and my heart goes out to Scott Hunter for all he's been through.

This is not just a cautionary tale for addicts, though. We all struggle with addictions of one kind or another. We all have times when we fall and darkness is all around. Our inner demons fight for control and keep us from moving forward. An inspiring memoir and one I highly recommend!

Disclaimer: I received a copy from the publisher in the hopes I'd review it.

My Rating: 5 stars

Reviewed by: Mrs. N

This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...

[Connie Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, this book came along right when I needed it. My mother, who has been an alcoholic for as long as I can remember, is finally sober. It's been a very frustrating journey. One that has been filled with broken relationships, lots of tears and anger. This book helped me understand what my mother has been going through trying to get sober. My mother almost died recently, and that was the wake up call.



I have come from a long family history of alcoholics. I choose not to drink often because of it.



Reading this book, the author takes us on his journey. He shares his struggles with various addictions, the brokenness of his past, the hurt, the flaws, the demons he has battled. It is also a story of hope - to how he overcame the battle and how his life turned around and fell into place. I enjoyed this book. I will be sharing this with my mother to aide in her journey.



I received a copy of this book through the publisher, Mascot Books, all thoughts are my own.

[william mcnamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read and a great story!! I read it before the Corona event and have been thinking about the book a lot. People have been struggling with all kinds of problems since time began and this book helped me remember that. Inspiring to see Mr. Hunter get pulled into the rabbit hole, then manage to get back out!!

[Linda Seidman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a page-turner. It is an engrossing read, full of a remarkably wide array of life experiences, often seen through the lens of addiction. The book offers readers the satisfaction of coming to understand, along with the author, what drove his seeking and how he emerged. It is full of local color, as well, particularly of Thailand and Western Massachusetts.

[Marcy A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, finished it in record time. Scott is a great story teller, with the most interesting material, his own life story. Great read for the everyday person and helpful for those in recovery. I’m looking forward to reading it a second time.

[Kirsten Einhorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. A tour de force.
The book is so well written and the story is told in a way that makes you feel like maybe you were there.
I have enomous respect for the author and the courageous journey he has taken with his life.
I very highly recommend this book

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a niche book for people who know and respect Scott and definitely for the shelves of AA and NA. Also for people searching to learn about emotional barriers that keep them isolated from intimacy.

Scott has been our gardener for many years and there were hints over the years that would suggest this memoir. He has accomplished so much: Amherst College, seminary, CO teaching in Thailand, etc. while in a haze of drugs and alcohol. His risk level was so scary but he came out a strong, lovely man.

The book is simply written and very readable.The short chapters make it easier to read through the difficult content. It is amazing how candid Scott is in the book.
I recommend this book to anyone who knows Scott and anyone searching to become whole.

[Jayne Pearl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scott Hunter reveals his very personal journey through drugs, inner demons and a search for meaning and purpose. An alternately hilarious and horrifying, the suspense builds as the reader wonders if he will finds answers to inner and outer questions that haunted him since childhood!

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scott Hunter writes a page turner. His coming-of- age auyobiography seems to ride the cusp of the wave of social and cultural changes from the early sixties onward. He is witness and story teller!

[Jade Aldrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written stories about meditation, serendipity, and the author’s struggles woven together with insight, humor, and courage.

[E. P · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a nuts-and-bolts and unsentimental way, Scott tells how he climbed out of a death spiral, faced his demons and became the person he wanted to be. The book is compelling.

[Agatha Glowacki · Rating 2 out of 5]

written like a stream of consciousness, focused more on facts that on meaning making