Author: Mary Forsberg Weiland with Larkin Warren

Publisher: Harper Collins

ISBN #:   978-0-06-171915-8

 Type:  Non-Fiction:Memoir

 Pages: 292 Hardback

Published:  November 10, 2009

Website:  CLICK HERE 

Purchase:  $16.50 (HERE) 

Publisher’s Summary

To the outside world, Weiland had led what seemed to be an enviable life. A successful international model in the nineties, she married her longtime sweetheart—famed lead singer of Stone Temple Pilots and, later, Velvet Revolver, Scott Weiland—in 2000. Mary was the sane one, went the story—it was the tempestuous, unpredictable Scott who was crazy. In her gripping memoir Fall to Pieces, Mary Weiland reveals that the truth is somewhere in between.

From her earliest days in San Diego, Weiland displayed signs of trouble: a black depression that sometimes left her immobile for days, a temper that sent her into wild rages she didn’t understand, an overdose. But her fierce determination to “have more” led to early success as a model. At sixteen, she fell in love at first sight with Scott Weiland, then an aspiring musician who was hired to drive her to and from modeling gigs. Slowly, her casual relationship with beer and pot grew into an affair with cocaine and heroin that rivaled her love for Scott, who was addicted as well. From rehab to rehab, from breakup to reconciliation to eventual marriage, the couple fought their way back, welcomed the babies they’d dreamed of, and hoped their struggles were behind them. Then came the bonfire breakdown and the full onset of Mary’s bipolar disorder, a widely misunderstood and misdiagnosed mental illness that affects more than five million Americans and had been, in fact, stalking Mary Weiland since her teens.”

(Summary provided by www.HarperCollins.Com)

The Review

Memoirs always grab me.  Reading about how others handle the ups and downs of their lives rivets me.  This story, in particular, held a special interest for me.  Here is a gorgeous woman with the entire world at her grasp… including an international modeling career.  However, the sufferance of the mental illness of bipolar disorder, coupled with an addiction to drugs and alcohol led her to a life full of challenges.  Despite the challenges, Mary Forsberg Weiland is eventually able to discover success in finding sobriety and proper treatment for her mental illness. 

Coming from a family, and subsequent marriage, in which addiction was the center of, I can completely relate to Mary’s story.  For many, it is a train that, once one is on-board, they are destined for one of two outcomes: death or recovery.  Fortunately for me, some of the addicts in my life have discovered recovery.  Unfortunately, others are still on that self-destructive road to death.  I pray for those still suffering that God will bring them to recovery and a renewed life. 

It’s devastatingly difficult to stand-by and witness somebody you love destroy their one lifetime by not getting the help they need for their addiction.  But, addiction is a “cunning and powerful disease” that many cannot overcome.  Despite my attempts at Al-Anon and counseling, I still struggle with codependency issues with the addicts in who I still hold so much love for.   

This book was so relatable to me that I feel inspired to write Mary and share with her my own personal experiences.  Perhaps, one day, I shall.  Mary is currently pursuing educational and career goals in which she will work with addicts in a counseling and aid capacity.  That, to me, is taking your life experience and turning it around for the betterment of others.  What a testament to making the most of the hand that life dealt you.  Kudos to Mary!

The Rating

On Sher’s “Out of Ten Scale,” I am giving Fall to Pieces a rating of 8.5 out of 10.  Again, my connection to the story kept me tethered to the book.  I wanted to see her find her way to recovery and a more peaceful existence.  I am saddened, however, by the fact that she is separated from her soul-mate… the great divide is his continued battle with his addiction.

Giving Thanks

I wanted to thank Meryl L. Moss Media Relations for sending me this review copy… even though I was so slammed with homework and unable to commit to a review.  I needed to read this book to remind me… of many things… most to personal to share.

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