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  • Blackout

  • Remembering the Things I Drank to Forget
  • Written by: Sarah Hepola
  • Narrated by: Sarah Hepola
  • Length: 7 hrs and 35 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (127 ratings)

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Blackout

Written by: Sarah Hepola
Narrated by: Sarah Hepola
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Publisher's Summary

A memoir of unblinking honesty and poignant, laugh-out-loud humor, Blackout is the story of a woman stumbling into a new kind of adventure - the sober life she never wanted.

For Sarah Hepola, alcohol was "the gasoline of all adventure". She spent her evenings at cocktail parties and dark bars where she proudly stayed till last call. Drinking felt like freedom, part of her birthright as a strong, enlightened 21st-century woman. But there was a price. She often blacked out, waking up with a blank space where four hours should be. Mornings became detective work on her own life. What did I say last night? How did I meet that guy? She apologized for things she couldn't remember doing, as though she were cleaning up after an evil twin. Publicly, she covered her shame with self-deprecating jokes, and her career flourished, but as the blackouts accumulated, she could no longer avoid a sinking truth. The fuel she thought she needed was draining her spirit instead.

Shining a light into her blackouts, she discovers the person she buried, as well as the confidence, intimacy, and creativity she once believed came only from a bottle. Her tale will resonate with anyone who has been forced to reinvent or struggled in the face of necessary change. It's about giving up the thing you cherish most - but getting yourself back in return.

©2015 Sarah Hepola (P)2015 Hachette Audio

What listeners say about Blackout

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Exceptional

Sarah has candid and clever writing style. I loved every minute of it! Thanks Sarah for sharing your story.

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Powerful

A powerful, emotional story of a woman’s alcoholism and finding sobriety. A great read for support or if you know someone who may be going through something similar.

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  • 2022-03-29

Great memoir, superb narration

Superb narration by the author adds another dimension to this memoir. You don't have to relate to the story to appreciate this book. At least you don't have to think that you might relate to appreciate it.

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Heartfelt

I laughed,
I cried,
I didn’t feel like I was alone,
Love this book, I also bought the book to read!

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a good recovery book

as someone who has struggled with addiction to alcohol, I found this to be an interesting listen and a helpful reminder of the daily struggle of this affliction. the content was sometimes difficult to listen to in a powerful, impactful sort of way, but it was told in a very open and honest way that I appreciate.

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yes! finally! something relatable

Maybe it's a tmi, but I felt this book deeply. Almost autobiographical. I'm so happy to have selected the audible version. Gripping, funny, engaging and heartbreaking. Enough to make a moderate drinker sober-curious.

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authentic, honest, and raw

Sarah's recollection of her journey leading up to sobriety is powerful. I cried and struggled and laughed and just.... felt with her along the way. Excellent narration as well.

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Couldn't put it down!

Thank you for writing such a heartfelt and honest book about your struggles with alcohol. Your words have given me hope and strength.

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I could relate

I could relate to so much in this book. It helped me look at aspects of my drinking in a whole new light. If you are ready and open to this topic, I highly recommend this book.

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Great book

Sarah's story reminds me so much of my own story. The memory loses, the struggles, and finding a way out in the end.

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