I remember the first time I came across Kristi Coulter’s essay, “Enjoli,” the second essay in her book, “Nothing Good Can Come From This.” It took me right back to when the Enjoli commercial debuted on television. I was only thirteen then, and I couldn’t help but dream of becoming a version of the twenty-four-hour woman portrayed in the ad – flashy, skilled in the kitchen, and oozing with sex appeal. I’d watch the commercial, then unfairly compare the glamorous model to my mother, who took us to the grocery store in curlers. I figured out quickly which woman I wanted to be and then spent decades trying to achieve the unachievable.
After reading “Enjoli,” I did the only reasonable thing to do. I found the commercial on YouTube and watched it again, with Kristi’s words ringing in my ears: “I blame that bitch for a lot. For spreading the notion that women should have a career, keep house, and fuck their husbands when the only sane thing to do is pick two and outsource the third.” I had an epiphany at that moment. Like so many women, I realized that I had harbored deep feelings of inadequacy in various areas of my life, particularly my perceived inability to embody the ideal of a “twenty-four-hour woman.” My next move? I devoured the rest of Coulter’s collection of essays in her book, “Nothing Good Can Come of This.”
Coulter’s writing contains a sharp wit and unflinching honesty that I was instantly drawn in. Her book of essays explores the many complexities of sobriety with humor, vulnerability, and grace. Each chapter is an essay that can stand on its own or be read one right after the other. Her work fearlessly exposes the ups and downs of her journey, from indulging in a $1700 purse to commemorating fifty days of sobriety to falling in love with a man who isn’t her husband to her painful childhood. At one point, she writes that her dad used to ask her, “Who do you think you are?” To which she answers, “Just a girl” or “Just a person.” It left me wondering if we were raised in the same house. She bares all and not only confronts her alcohol dependency but delves into the broader issues of women and the drinking culture.
The book helps to smash the romanticized facade of alcohol consumption perpetuated in media and society. What makes Coulter’s essays so easily digestible is her ability to take such heavy subjects and create a refreshing blend of levity and insight, making them relatable for those who are newly sober or who have been sober for a while.
Overall, “Nothing Good Can Come of This” is a compelling read that resonates on multiple levels. Coulter’s fearless honesty and sharp intellect make this book a must-read for anyone grappling with addiction, identity, or the pursuit of authenticity. It is a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the human experience and inspire empathy and understanding.
RESOURCES:
- Kristi Coulter Website
- @kristicccoulter on IG
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