To Hell and back

ISBN: 978-1-84747-175-8 Published: 2007 Pages: 81 Key Themes: alcoholism, mis-diagnosis, grief

Ann's book is the poignant yet accessible memoir of being bought up with an alcoholic father. 'To Hell and Back' documents the effect that this, coupled with her parent's bitter divorce, can have on a yound mind. Throughout Ann searches for ways to explain her own troubled times. This is an excellently written and vividly descriptive narrative, a must read for anybody who has had similar experience to Ann.

Ann was born in 1961 and grew up in Loughton in Essex until her parent's divorce when she was 22, when she moved with her mother to nearby Woodford Green. She now lives in Ilford in East London.

Despite their father's alcoholism Ann and her sister both had horses and enjoyed an idyllic childhood, but things dramatically changed for Ann after her parent's bitter divorce. This set off a series of events that spiralled out of control. After several years of misdiagnosis and tragedies, Ann has now found relative calm in which to tell her story.

Ann is currently studying Life Coaching, Abstract Art and Sculpture and is now embarking on a Foundation Course in Art and Design. She is also a qualified gym instructor and personal trainer, as well as retaining her skills as a secretary and audio typist.

Firstly, I was aware from when I was a teenager that my dad had something 'wrong' with him. Later I was to find out that it was because he was an alcoholic. I first became aware of Alateen (12 step fellowship for teenagers of alcoholics) when I was 16 and went to my first meeting in Chelsea shortly afterwards, I then drove to Enfield when I was 17 (having passed my driving test first time at this age) to attend Alateen, where it was started by two American's - Bonny and George. These meetings were great and gave me the chance to talk about stuff that I couldn't really talk to anyone else about.