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30 Rooms to Hide In
320 pages, 2014
Six brothers grow up in the ’50s and ’60s amid an alcoholic father whose sanity slowly erodes. For a journalist, Luke Sullivan had quite an unusual childhood, but it taught him many lessons that would help him later as he reported on local news events and traveled the world to write true-life adventure stories.
In his memoir Thirty Rooms to Hide In, he tells the story of his alcoholic father’s slow descent into insanity, from one of the world’s top orthopedic surgeons at the Mayo Clinic to someone who is increasingly abusive and finally dies alone on the floor of a Georgia motel room.
Sullivan doesn’t sugarcoat the details; in fact, he admits that some of them are “dark enough to make your skin crawl. ” But at the same time, he says that there were also many good times during those years—and the book contains lots of darkly funny memories.
In 30 Rooms to Hide In, Luke Longstreet Sullivan paints a vivid picture of the devastating effects of alcoholism on a family. He shows how his father's addiction tore their family apart, leading to a chaotic and unpredictable home life. This book is a stark reminder of the importance of addressing addiction issues head-on.
Despite the dark themes, Sullivan uses humor as a coping mechanism throughout the book. He shows how laughter can be a powerful tool in dealing with difficult situations. It's a great reminder to find humor in life, even when things seem bleak.
One of the key takeaways from 30 Rooms to Hide In is the importance of sibling bonds. Despite the turmoil at home, Sullivan and his brothers stick together, supporting and protecting each other. This book will make you appreciate the value of family ties.
Sullivan finds solace in art and creativity, using it as an escape from his troubled home life. He encourages readers to explore their own creative outlets as a form of therapy and self-expression. So, take a look at your own artistic side, it might be a great way to cope with life's challenges.
30 Rooms to Hide In is a testament to Sullivan's resilience. Despite the hardships he faced, he managed to build a successful career and life for himself. This book is a great source of inspiration for anyone going through tough times, reminding us that we can overcome adversity.
Quotes 5
A deeply moving and darkly humorous memoir that is both a poignant love letter and a harrowing survival guide to life in a house filled with madness and creativity.
Robert Olen Butler - Pulitzer Prize NovelistA hauntingly beautiful memoir, a terrifyingly insightful exploration of a family's madness, and a profoundly moving testament to the power of love, memory, and the will to survive.
Tom Franklin - Crime Fiction WriterA riveting, heartbreaking, and ultimately healing journey into the heart of darkness and back out again, filled with insight, humor, and a deep, abiding love for the human spirit.
Beth Ann Fennelly - Poet LaureateA powerful, poignant, and often hilarious memoir that reads like a novel, a raw and brutally honest exploration of a family's descent into madness and the author's struggle to escape.
John Dufresne - Literary Fiction WriterA deeply moving and darkly funny memoir that is both a love letter to the human spirit and a survival guide for anyone who has ever lived in the shadow of mental illness.
Michael Martone - Experimental Prose WriterRecommendations
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30 Rooms to Hide In found in libraries
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