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.
Praise for The Art of Losing It
As much as the first half of the painfully candid memoir is heart-rending; the beginning of the second half is terrifying. Keevil’s drinking was out of control. She commonly mixed alcohol with prescription drugs and, for a while, cocaine. . . . The author, who is working as a reporter again, writes with a novelist’s sense of drama.
I cried through The Art of Losing It as Rosemary’s story of tough situations and raw emotions digs deep into the soul. This book can support each of us as we face challenges and encourage us to believe in ourselves and help others as life tries to smack us down. Rosemary proves one can not only survive but find joy.
The Art of Losing It … is a powerful reminder that what looks perfect on the outside may be crumbling on the inside. Faced with tragedy and an ensuing downward spiral, Rosemary Keevil finds the strength to change, for herself and her daughters. Beautifully written, there is no self-pity here. Her story and her family are an inspiration to those who feel alone in their struggles.
Raw. Honest. This is a story about unhealed grief and addiction…This book tells the truth! I loved it!