MY NAME IS DAVY: I'm an Alcoholic

by Anne Snyder ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 24, 1977

When first encountered here, Davy, fifteen, is already far gone into alcoholism, carrying a thermos of scotch to school and hiding his morning drink in the medicine cabinet at home. Liquor stolen from his Dad's supply is an entree to the wild crowd that's previously ignored him and the catalyst for a supportive relationship with Maxi, whose own drinking problem has brought her a reputation as ""everybody's pal."" After evenings of scrounging drinks and mornings of retching, Maxi wrestles with the D.T.'s and drags Davy to AA meetings, but Davy, bored and cocky about his own ability to quit, tempts Maxi with one drink for old times sake at a beach party, she drowns in the surf, and Davy runs away to ""hit bottom"" as a homeless, slobbering lush. ""Bottom,"" where every drinker's commitment to AA is said to begin, could in this case hardly be lower, what with blood guilt added to the bruises and stink of Davy's physical degredation. As a cautionary tale, this is certainly shocking enough to get one's attention. However, as Snyder gives barely an outline of how Davy and Maxi's troubles started, readers might have a hard time connecting beyond the level of morbid allure.

Pub Date: March 24, 1977

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Holt, Rinehart & Winston

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1977

Categories: FICTION