Books: Note Found In A Bottle: My Life As A Drinker

This may be one of the most frustrating alcoholism memoirs ever written. We hear plenty about the author's fabulous family and friends: Brooke Hayward and Peter Duchin, Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne. The author gushes forth details of her spiked morning coffees, the countless martinis and cases of champagne, and the out-of-control life all the drinking engendered. We even hear about her father's A.A. meetings (Dad is John, for those who have somehow missed all previous Cheeverabilia). But she slides right over what it feels like to give up drinking. Did she have the help of a rehab clinic or A.A.? How has life changed now that she's sober? Still, this oddly gripping account is always good for a few more tidbits about growing up Cheever.

--By Elizabeth Gleick