I don’t normally read memoirs, but this one sounded too good to pass up. I wouldn’t say I enjoyed it- because it was such a difficult listen with so many trauma filled experiences. But it was insightful. I didn’t particularly like near the end of when the narrator was talking about the history of AA, as I thought it was boring. Overall though it was good and loved that the author did the narration for it as it was so much more impactful hearing her emotion. I will do a review post for this on Saturday and will update this review with the link.

This is a really thought provoking book. The author narrates the book herself, so it really makes the book feel just that much more personal. It was interesting to learn about Jessica, her family, heritage, and journey with addiction. The book got very political at times, which I felt was a bit off putting, but this is the author’s lived experience and I can respect that.

I recommend this audiobook to readers who enjoy memoirs that deal with difficult topics including family, addiction and trauma.

Post on 8/21/24
Jessica’s story was so interesting and hard to listen to at times. She was brave to be the first in the family to make changes that would change the course for all her loved ones for years to come. She endured so much pain and the things that she had to witness and experience left me thinking of my own family. Coming from a large Mexican family on my mother’s side, she is one of nine children who had their battles with drugs and alcohol. Almost everything that I listened to Jessica recount sounded all too familiar.
It’s so easy to let the cycle continue, but it takes someone special to put an end to it all. Jessica is beyond strong and I am so glad she is here to tell her story of how she uncovered her family history to realize that enough was enough; she had to be the one to make the change. She wanted a better future for her nieces and nephews and she provided it taking a deep dive into her family history to figure out the root of the problem, where and when it started, how long it had been happening and what she needed to do to make things better.

"First in the Family" written and narrated by Jessica Hoppe is a bold and very personal account of addiction and recovery, but it is so much more. Thank you to #netgalley and to #macmillan for the loan of the #audiobook (read expertly by the narrator). The fact that I could listen to Jessica Hoppe read her memoir gave the stories within the extra depth of emotion in the telling. The author gives a really excellent and detailed background of her family of origin and how she grew up -- not only the characters who comprise her family tree, but the dynamics from which they emerged. These dynamics included violence, emotional abuse, poverty, and discrimination. All of these factors played an enormous role -- both in her own emerging addiction (and formation of relationships with others) and in her recovery.

Very interestingly, Jessica Hoppe speaks in detail about her experience in recovery (AA/12-step program) as a Latinx woman and how the origins of this recovery program (and others like it) have roots in indigenous culture and how much patriarchal American culture still impacts the principals and writings all these years later. Without adding any specific details or spoilers, I found this a wonderful, eye-opening education while listening to the author's experiences and how she navigated her own strong feelings and emotions. This is even more poignant in our current state of political conflict and all of the injustices that exploded into the public eye -- especially during the pandemic -- and the events which preceded it and came afterward. We could no longer allow old beliefs to remain the reality of the world. I thank Jessica Hoppe for writing this book -- it's going to be very helpful to the people who need these messages the most (who are MANY!!) and no matter what, it's a wonderful telling of a women's resilience and coming to terms with self-acceptance and recovery, and becoming who she really strives to be.

First in the Family is a compelling and emotional autobiography about generational trauma and alcoholism. It was a touching and inspiring portray of the author's life. I listened to the whole audiobook in one day because it had me hooked from the first minute. My only complaint was the voices that the audiobook narrator would do for other women. The voices when the other was trying to portray someone they did not like were petty and unkind. It did not seem respectful or necessary.

I think it takes a lot of courage and vulnerability to write a memoir. I enjoyed the part of the book about Jessica's upbringing and what her life was like as a child and her bonds with her sisters. Her struggles as a teen/young adult with alcohol were shared honestly and could be relatable to many people who gradually find their consumption habits getting out of control. Her dedication to sobriety and hope she found through the comradery of Alcoholics Anonymous is commendable. I think the book is written well and her narrative voice is authentic.

I personally did not enjoy the parts of the book that seemed more of a political platform or social commentary. I can respect other peoples perspectives even if they are different from my own and I am open minded to try to understand other realities, but it may turn away a portion of her reading audience.

Me 🤝🏼 Addiction memoirs.

In First in the Family, Hoppe reflects upon her own personal experience with addiction and how it affects Latinx families differently, how it is viewed differently within the Latino community, and how addiction research and narratives often gloss over the experience of people of color. She also examines cultural assimilation for the sake of The American Dream, the role oppression plays in addiction, and generational trauma. It’s an average size book—272 pages—that packs a punch.

I am blown away by Hoppe’s intimate storytelling and shattering honesty. With clear, straightforward prose, Hoppe investigates the history of abuse and addiction in her family. It is a rich account of one Latina woman’s experience with substance abuse and proves to be a captivating story of hope and redemption.

And who better to narrate the story than the author herself. You can hear the emotion and fervor in Hoppe’s voice as she narrates and it really adds another layer of depth to the memoir. My only complaint would be that the sound is slightly inconsistent; you can hear where some pieces were cut together.

Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review! Available 09/10/2024.