Review: not ready for publication
Rating: 1 out of 5
Date: 02 26, 2014
High Functioning Alcoholic is intended to be an informative read for those seeking self-help. I think that if you are looking for information on HFA (it has an abbreviation), there are resources out there, but this book isn’t it.Let’s start with the positives: The authors draw the reader in with a fictionalized story that could very well parallel real life and then asks a question to see if you are paying attention. And I can appreciate how the author puts herself into the work as a means to give relatable examples. Oh and the section on Orson Welles (and hoaxes) is interesting, but has absolutely nothing to do with this proposed self-help book (unless the author is portraying this book as a hoax on the reader?). That’s it for the positives.The negatives: NEEDS AN EDITOR (but you knew this was coming from me). This book has the potential to be an important resource for those with HFA or family members. But there are fundamental issues with language and grammar that anyone who ever finished a run in primary/secondary school would understand. I find it even more puzzling given that the author page indicates that this author is a writer and should therefore know better. Issues include run-on sentences, misuse of subject/verb tense (much), incorrect use of verb tense and downright poor editing and writing.Examples:“Few people are not concerned that the risk of acquiring Alzheimer’s as they age yet are unaware their HFA would give them the same symptoms as the condition the fear and bring on an earlier onset.” (Now, while I can surmise that the author is telling us that drinking alcohol can mimic the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and I THINK that they are also saying that it can bring on the disease earlier, but I can’t be sure. And this is important. Does drinking alcohol increase my likelihood of Alzheimer’s or does it only mirror the symptoms? Clarify)“Measured how many mils your drink glasses contain and understand that if you fill two wine glasses”…”Decide in advance how much you chose to drink.”…“Be aware that cocktails may contain to six standard alcoholic serves in one drink.” (What?)“I am not suggesting any program for recovery being open about HFA and asking for professional advice if you require it for yourself or someone else. However here a a few practical tips I gave a fried who was a HFA and did not want to stop,” (Multiple issues with this paragraph.)There are 10 chapters starting with Frosted Angels and then abruptly transitioning to Orson Welles and hoaxes that have absolutely nothing to do with high functioning alcoholics. The short story (Frosted Angels) is poorly constructed and the sections on Orson Welles and hoaxes are a complete nonsequitor. Granted, these sections are written much better than the rest of the book and read somewhat like a college essay. I’m completely puzzled as to its purpose.The “Summery” (yes, she spelled it THAT way) has a section that says, “Rather than leave a list of contacts here that might or might not be useful to you in your situation and location, I would rather suggest you make enquiries with your own family doctor,…” and I find myself wanting to shout at the author as I shake my head. That is exactly what you should be doing. The category for this book is: Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness > Injury Prevention and this book is NOT that. Who picked that category? Moreover, by failing to provide even the minimum number of resources available online, you are doing a disservice to any potential readers who might actually pick up this book in search of…actual help!I don’t see any potential for this book as a resource to anyone without a complete overhaul and I do not under any circumstances recommend it. And that’s unfortunate. Particularly since I’ve read some of her other work and I find this digression from the quality of work she is capable of producing a puzzle.