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The Art of Losing It: A Memoir of Grief and Addiction
When her brother dies of AIDS and her husband dies of cancer in the same year, Rosemary is left on her own with two young daughters and antsy addiction demons dancing in her head. This is the nucleus of The Art of Losing It: a young mother jerking from emergency to emergency as the men in her life drop dead around her; a high-functioning radio show host waging war with her addictions while trying to raise her two little girls who just lost their daddy; and finally, a stint in rehab and sobriety that ushers in a fresh brand of chaos instead of the tranquility her family so desperately needs.
Heartrending but ultimately hopeful, The Art of Losing It is the story of a struggling mother who finds her way―slowly, painfully―from one side of grief and addiction to the other.
Heartrending but ultimately hopeful, The Art of Losing It is the story of a struggling mother who finds her way―slowly, painfully―from one side of grief and addiction to the other.
- GenresMemoirGriefNonfiction
328 pages, Paperback
Published October 6, 2020
1 person is currently reading
1521 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 6, 2020
The first part of "The Art of Losing It" tells the story of the worst year of Rosemary Keevil's life; and the second part takes place ten years later as she's still struggling to recover.
The first part is both beautiful and heartbreaking. I can't imagine how difficult it must have been to live that situation; and I think Keevil should be commended for her honesty and bravery.
Unfortunately, the second part wasn't as good. We don't really get to understand how things spiralled for Rosemary in the time since her husband's death; and her recovery just suddenly somehow happens.
Despite this, I did enjoy this read. Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for the chance to read this one!
The first part is both beautiful and heartbreaking. I can't imagine how difficult it must have been to live that situation; and I think Keevil should be commended for her honesty and bravery.
Unfortunately, the second part wasn't as good. We don't really get to understand how things spiralled for Rosemary in the time since her husband's death; and her recovery just suddenly somehow happens.
Despite this, I did enjoy this read. Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for the chance to read this one!
October 15, 2020
Q: Do you read memoirs by people you aren't familiar with, meaning a non-celebrity? I love memoirs in both audio book & physical book fashion, & I have really enjoyed some fascinating ones this past year. This debut book & new release is one of those.
Raw with brutal & brave honesty, this heartbreaking, powerful & often intense with candor memoir reminded me so much of someone I know. That person lost loved ones & struggled with keeping their battle with a past addiction at bay, for the sake of their kids, & hopefully for their sake as well.
The book is divided into two-parts as Rosemary Keevil shows us in her own words the mother, wife & sister she was, & who she became when she lost so much of herself after losing two loved ones within 6 mos. She eventually found the courage & strength to get her act together for her daughter, but also for herself. 'The Art of Losing It' is a very thought-provoking & poignant memoir & is available now.
Raw with brutal & brave honesty, this heartbreaking, powerful & often intense with candor memoir reminded me so much of someone I know. That person lost loved ones & struggled with keeping their battle with a past addiction at bay, for the sake of their kids, & hopefully for their sake as well.
The book is divided into two-parts as Rosemary Keevil shows us in her own words the mother, wife & sister she was, & who she became when she lost so much of herself after losing two loved ones within 6 mos. She eventually found the courage & strength to get her act together for her daughter, but also for herself. 'The Art of Losing It' is a very thought-provoking & poignant memoir & is available now.
February 17, 2021
This is a well-written and at times heart-breaking book. The author has a lot of courage both to tell this story and to explore some tough questions. Well-done!
August 27, 2021
Just as I was feeling sorry for myself because of a physical ailment, I read this book and was whisked away from my pain into that of the author. This heart-felt and brutally honest story took me into the anguish of the Keevil family as they struggle to survive. The author fights to overcome her young husband’s death, her drug abuse, and her difficulties in raising her two daughters. Most of the scenes take place in hospitals, therapy sessions, or driving between them. We learn about treatments that work and some that don’t. The descriptive first-person narrative plunges the reader into the emotions of this young wife and mother as she attempts to take care of her dying husband, her failing brother, and her young daughters. The book is sometimes difficult to get through but worth it.
October 13, 2020
This is a memoir of Rosemary Keevil and her journey with grief, addiction and eventual healing.
This book is broken up into two parts.
Part one address Rosemary’s journey as her husband, Barry is diagnosed with cancer and dies within a year of finding out he is sick. Rosemary’s older brother dies 6 months after Barry from complication of AIDS. Barry is 41, Rosemary is 37 and they have two young girls Willow and Dixie (5 and 2) when Barry dies.
Part two of this memoir addresses Rosemary’s addiction to cocaine, alcohol and prescription pills. This part is 10 years after Barry dies and 6 years after Rosemary becomes addicted . Rosemary goes to rehab for a month to become sober and then must figure out how to live a sober life with the teenager girls. The end of the memoir has the three Keevil girls going to a family retreat to address how to have a new normal now that Rosemary is sober.
My thoughts..
I enjoyed this book and I read it in two sittings. I read part one in one sitting as we travel with Rosemary as she deals with the diagnosis and rapid decline of her husband. I appreciate Rosemary’s honesty as she talks about being at odds and feeling guilty as she struggles with her daily life taking care of a sick husband, two little girls and trying to check on her dying brother. As she literally is just treading water trying to survive, while dealing with the world of health care and the in and out of hospital visits.
I read part 2 in a second sitting and really appreciated the growth that Rosemary achieves during her rehab while at the same time feeling guilty about not being with her kids as she tries to get sober.
In a memoir such as this, I hate to say I have favorite parts but I liked the way every chapter is titled with a song lyric. I also liked the end of the memoir when Rosemary and the girls go to group counseling for a week and how that really begins the true family healing process. The idea of dysfunctional equilibrium at the end of the book makes total sense. I’ll let you grab this book and find out for yourself what that is.
October 6, 2020
This book is spilt into two parts...The first half features a happy time. A time when Rosemary was married to a great guy, Barry. Sadly, Barry gets diagnosed with cancer. Yet, he is not the only man in Rosemary's life that gets bad new. Rosemary's brother gets handed a death sentence. Rosemary finds herself having her life turned upset down. She has to learn how to navigate caring for both her husband and brother as well as being a mom to her two girls. Both Barry and Rosemary's brother, pass away within six months of each other.
The second half of the book, explores a bit into Rosemary's spiral downhill into addiction, rehab, and second chances. Rosemary's addiction shows just how easily anyone could fall down the dark rabbit hole. Although, I did feel like the latter half of the story was a bit light on details. Overall, though this was a good read. I applaud Rosemary for sharing her story.
The second half of the book, explores a bit into Rosemary's spiral downhill into addiction, rehab, and second chances. Rosemary's addiction shows just how easily anyone could fall down the dark rabbit hole. Although, I did feel like the latter half of the story was a bit light on details. Overall, though this was a good read. I applaud Rosemary for sharing her story.
September 29, 2020
This was a very intense memoir following Rosemary Keevil's life and her children as they were going through multiple traumatic and life-changing moments. Although I have not been in the same circumstances as Rosemary, I have been in situations that have resulted in PTSD, anxiety, and depression feeling as though everything that could be going wrong is all at the same time. This is a book for people that are struggling and have lost a loved one. This book may help people understand that other people have gone through the same things, and although things have changed there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. I cried, laughed, and smiles through many parts of this book and would recommend this memoir.
July 21, 2020
This one was a very interesting memoir. I felt so much for Rosemary and what he had gone through. I haven't been in her shoes per say but I have been in a situation where it looked like the world was crashing around you. And there was just no way out. This is the book for all struggling people. I think that this tale would help them.
October 15, 2020
Such a powerful book! So honest!
October 6, 2020
Book review: The Art or Losing It by @rosemarykeevil ✨
Wow. What a memoir. This was a heavy read. Initially, I was drawn into this book because of the location and how I could relate to the space in which this took place. I grew up just outside of Vancouver and would head to Whistler on occasion. The author and her family lived in West Vancouver and would go to Whistler on the weekends. After experiencing those similarities, l was captured by the author’s tale. She went through hell and back as a young mother in such a short time. This memoir details her husband’s devastating battle with cancer, losing her brother to AIDS 6 months after losing her husband and her subsequent alcohol and cocaine addiction while single parenting her two young daughters.
This book was honest, raw and emotional. The author did not shy away from the truth, even when it did not paint her in a positive light. She also checks her privilege throughout the story and always focuses on things to be grateful for. What a profound memoir to share with us. I hope this was helpful on her healing journey.
By the end of the book, the author gets sober and works on repairing her relationships with her daughters which is absolutely admirable.
Thank you @booksparks @shewritespress and @rosemarykeevil for this #gifted copy for the #indiebookbox. This great book is out today!
Wow. What a memoir. This was a heavy read. Initially, I was drawn into this book because of the location and how I could relate to the space in which this took place. I grew up just outside of Vancouver and would head to Whistler on occasion. The author and her family lived in West Vancouver and would go to Whistler on the weekends. After experiencing those similarities, l was captured by the author’s tale. She went through hell and back as a young mother in such a short time. This memoir details her husband’s devastating battle with cancer, losing her brother to AIDS 6 months after losing her husband and her subsequent alcohol and cocaine addiction while single parenting her two young daughters.
This book was honest, raw and emotional. The author did not shy away from the truth, even when it did not paint her in a positive light. She also checks her privilege throughout the story and always focuses on things to be grateful for. What a profound memoir to share with us. I hope this was helpful on her healing journey.
By the end of the book, the author gets sober and works on repairing her relationships with her daughters which is absolutely admirable.
Thank you @booksparks @shewritespress and @rosemarykeevil for this #gifted copy for the #indiebookbox. This great book is out today!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2024
In the depths of despair at losing her husband and brother, a young mother (Rosemary Keevil) struggles to meet the demands of her two kids and her high-profile job. She falls into the chaos of addiction but somehow manages to keep everything going. In reality, she is barely hanging on. At the darkest moment, she tries to make a turnaround...
Keevil's writing is candid, engaging, and surprisingly funny, given the book’s difficult topics. The memoir will be of value to anyone who has struggled with addiction or has lost loved ones.
Find out more: The Art of Losing It
Keevil's writing is candid, engaging, and surprisingly funny, given the book’s difficult topics. The memoir will be of value to anyone who has struggled with addiction or has lost loved ones.
Find out more: The Art of Losing It
January 26, 2022
I was captivated from the moment I picked up Rose Mary Keevil's, The Art of Losing It. Refreshingly honest and a must-read for anyone who can't imagine how to keep moving forward in times of acute distress. I have shared this book with several co-workers who all came back to say, "thank you for sharing this with me; I couldn't put it down." From grief to addiction to recovery, a remarkable story of the power of the human spirit.
Read
November 6, 2020Gripping and heartrending but ultimately hopeful, the recently released memoir THE ART OF LOSING IT is the story of a struggling mother who finds her way ― slowly, painfully ― from one side of grief and addiction to the other.
Read an excerpt of Rosemary Keevil's memoir here:
https://booktrib.com/2020/11/04/the-a...
Read an excerpt of Rosemary Keevil's memoir here:
https://booktrib.com/2020/11/04/the-a...
November 26, 2020
This is one of the most vivid and compelling memoirs I’ve read. Rosemary Keevil takes us on a riveting journey through the untimely and heartbreaking death of her husband and brother, and then through her own struggle and recovery from addiction. I found her story extremely relatable for anyone who has suffered the death of a spouse, and particularly with young children at home. The Art of Losing It is a hopeful story of healing from family tragedy.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews