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  • Quit Like a Woman

  • The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol
  • By: Holly Whitaker
  • Narrated by: Holly Whitaker
  • Length: 10 hrs and 8 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (272 ratings)

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Quit Like a Woman

By: Holly Whitaker
Narrated by: Holly Whitaker
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Publisher's Summary

Bloomsbury presents Quit Like a Woman by Holly Whitaker, read by Holly Whitaker.  

We live in a world obsessed with drinking. We drink at work events, lunches, book clubs and weddings. Yet no one ever questions alcohol's ubiquity. In fact, the only thing ever questions is why people don't drink. It is a qualifier for belonging. As a society, we are obsessed with health and wellness, yet we uphold alcohol as some sort of magic elixir. It is anything but.   

When Holly Whitaker started to look for a way to recover, the support systems she found for recovery where archaic and patriarchal. Urging drinkers towards a newfound humility is great if you're a man, but if you're a woman and not in a position to renounce privileges you never had, a whole other approach is needed.   

She embarked on a journey that not only led to her own sobriety but revealed the insidious role alcohol plays in our society and in the lives of women in particular. What's more, she could not ignore the ways that alcohol companies were targeting women, just as the tobacco industry had successfully done generations before. 

Honest, witty and trenchant, Quit Like a Woman is at once a groundbreaking look at drinking culture, a call to arms and a celebration of learning how to claim everything life has to offer.

©2020 Holly Whitaker (P)2020 Penguin Random House Audio

Critic Reviews

"I've long suspected that Holly Whitaker is a genius. This book is confirmation. It's a brilliantly clever, meticulously researched, fearless, snort-out-loud funny read that grabs you and won't let go." (Catherine Gray)  

"An unflinching examination of how our drinking culture hurts women and a gorgeous memoir of how one woman healed herself. Quit Like a Woman will change your relationship with alcohol - and it has the power to change your relationship with your entire life." (Glennon Doyle) 

"This thoughtful, moving book will help a lot of people get to a healthier place." (Johann Hari)

What listeners say about Quit Like a Woman

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

The voice and words is all

Audiobooks live or die on the reader’s voice. Holly Whitaker is no voice artist, the repetitive rhythm is dull. Whitaker’s constant use of profanities strip the story of detail and meaning. Profanity can work (e.g. Clementine Ford’s Fight like a Girl) but not here.

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8 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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Way to angry!

I had to leave this book after a few chapters, the author/narrator was just so ANGRY!

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6 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

well researched, honest, passionate

On balance I thoroughly enjoyed Holly’s story. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you’ve read every memoir there is and you have no more ‘space’ for yet another; Holly’s story is different and it’s done extremely well. The only part that had me pulling back (and it’s not that I am opposed to what it said) was the ‘ranty’ twist it took in the final chapter on activism. I’m not opposed to the message here, just don’t like being ranted at - there’s a better way. Great book and likely well worth your time.

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6 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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Women are rubbish

Would be sexist if it was quit like a man

This book made me start doing drugs

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Inspiring and real

Resonating thoughts, researched information and humour during a harrowing story and huge social issues. I raced through this book and now cannot un-know the information. Rebellious to be a non drinker...

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Brilliant

For any womxn that has experienced or is experiencing addiction, this is a must. Holly’s writing style is very personal and she’s not afraid to tell a detailed anecdote. This is what makes the book so easy to relate to and be able to practice in real life. I can confidently say this book has changed my life.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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One of the top sobriety books I've read so far.

Loved this book it really resonated with me. It was like yoga class for addiction. Compassionate, non jugdmental and accepting of people to do it at their own pace and in their own way.

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1 person found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

crass, gross, she sounds like a pain in the ass

Hated this. F bombs every few sentences like a teenager who doesn't read. Her no nonsense approach to her health is the one redeeming factor, though her uh-huh moments are really just DUH moments for the listener. A cleverly marketed product sold on controversy not substance.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

self gratifying narrative

heavily experiential which is fine, to a degree. very light on beneficial advice or narrative

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Life changing

Really cannot recommend this book enough, it will change the way you see alcohol and also honestly, your place in the world. It will leave you feeling inspired.

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