Dear Dad: Letters from an Adult Child

By Louie Anderson

Book Overview

Comedian Louie Anderson grew up in a household held hostage by the unpredictable and violent behavior of an alcoholic father. In letters that are poignant and often angry, yet touched with the humor that characterizes his monologues, Dear Dad chronicles Anderson's hard journey from shame and fear to understanding. Anderson's many appearances on The Tonight Show , his specials on HBO and Showtime, and his concerts across the country have won him wide acclaim. But when he found that, despite his considerable success as a comic, he felt no relief from his pain, Anderson entered therapy and joined an Adult Children of Alcoholics group. Only then was he able to break a lifelong pattern of denial. Includes an introduction by Anderson and a selection of letters from Dear Dad readers about their own experiences. "Compelling, tender, funny, and well-written. . . . I respect Louie's courage for talking so openly. Writing the book may have helped the writer in his healing process, but it will also assist readers in theirs."--Melody Beattie, author of Codependent No More

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140148450
• ISBN13: 9780140148459
• Release Date: March 1991
• Publisher: Penguin Books
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.56 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.2" x 7.6"

Customer Reviews

Dear Dad a Powerful Book

Louie Anderson is my all time favorite comedian. I never thought a book by him would bring me to tears, but it did. Fortunately, I did not grow up with an alcoholic father. However, I did battle gross obesity from elementary school through high school. I understand the pain behind Louie's fat jokes, and that pain is really brought out in this book. This book helped inspire me to lose 150 lbs. And, 14 years later, it still inspires me to battle my lingering demons. This book is a must read for anybody who has suffered psychological abuse as a child, whether it was the result of an alcoholic father, personal obesity, or any other reason.

not alone

This book was not only funny but really hit home for me. Louie, are you sure we weren't from the same family? Anyone scarred from a dysfunctional family due to addiction of any kind, will find this book very healing. I found that talking about your traumatic childhood helps you as an adult. I buried by memories of my father's drinking for many years, til my kids saw him once very intoxicated at my doorstep begging for money. I had him arrested and soon after sought Al-Anon for help with my guilt, shame and all other feelings I was carrying around. The sooner you talk about the past the better you will feel about yourself. Get this book. Makes you know that you are not alone. Thanks Louie.

recommended for everybody, anybody, and those in between

An exquisitely powerful book that I just couldn't put down. I'm a grown man not prone to emotional outbursts, but when I was done with this book I had tears rolling down my face. I don't know what else to say. If you're even remotely capable of being inspired and experiencing emotions, you owe it to yourself to read this book. Life-altering is not an understatement.

A must read for anyone who has a father

I picked this book up in a library in college and couldn't put it down. Louie Anderson describes his relationship (or lack thereof) with his alcoholic, abusive father. The stories he relates are heart-wrenching and real. The book is a collection of letters Anderson wrote to his father after his father died. This book was of particular benefit to me after my own father died, though he was neither an alcoholic nor abusive. The book finishes with letters Anderson has received from readers that relate their stories of a need for resolution or closure with their own fathers. It's an easy read, dripping with painful irony (you'll laugh while you cry--I promise), and will help just about everyone gain a new appreciation for the impact fathers can have on children.

Brings Dysfuntion to a whole new light

I read this book because someone recommended it to me. I'm not an adult child of alcoholism. I'm and adult child of child molestation. This book really helped me deal with the pain of growing up "different." I recommend it to anyone who felt different growing up. I started writing letters to the person who I am most angry at and it's really helping me to become more comfortable with myself. Thank you Louie Anderson for bringing such a painful experience out in the open.