Joseph W. Naus's "Straight Pepper Diet" is a harrowing yet hopeful memoir that delves into the depths of addiction and the arduous journey toward redemption. Naus, born in 1971, recounts his life, starting from a childhood marked by poverty, violence, and a mother struggling with heroin addiction and depression, to his rise as a successful attorney. However, his American Dream took a dark turn when his own addictions to sex and alcohol spiraled out of control.
From American Dream to Nightmare
Naus's memoir chronicles his life's dramatic shift. He graduated from Pepperdine Law and passed the Bar in 1997. At age 32, Joseph's American Dream life became a nightmare when his addictions to sex and alcohol collided and exploded. As he puts it, "On Tuesday, I was a respected civil trial lawyer making six-figures. On Wednesday, I woke up handcuffed to a hospital bed charged with attempted murder…and then it got worse." This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a long and difficult journey through the wreckage of his own making.
A Candid Account of Addiction
"Straight Pepper Diet" does not shy away from the gritty realities of addiction. Naus lays bare his experiences, offering a candid account of his lifestyle, thoughts, and disturbing behavior. The book paints a picture of the daily inner conflict and mental torture faced by those afflicted with addiction. He describes in detail the shame associated with his behavior. It seemed like a list of every shameful act he'd committed.
The title, "Straight Pepper Diet," a term found on page 69 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous by Bill Wilson, alludes to a voracious sexual appetite and overactive sex life. Naus's memoir explores this aspect of his addiction with unflinching honesty.
The Long Road to Recovery
The memoir delves into Naus's process of finding recovery. He captures the nature of very early recovery very well. The book explores the challenges and triumphs of overcoming addiction, offering hope for those who are struggling. He spends the last twelve years learning humility the hard way: making a living doing everything from picking up the trash on film sets to selling outdoor kitchens at home shows for a former client, all while cleaning up the wreckage of his past and building a new life.
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Paying the Price
The third section of the book, about the experience of paying the price for his earlier behavior, is the most fascinating part of this book. Naus really found his writing voice and brought the entire experience to life. He faces the consequences of his actions, including disbarment and time in prison. Despite the odds, Joseph is alive and well. He lives in Echo Park in Los Angeles with his girlfriend, Theresa and cat, Bogey. He spends much of his time writing, helping addicts recover, and perfecting his swing on Los Angeles' public golf courses.
A Book of Humility and Redemption
"Straight Pepper Diet" is a story of humility and redemption. It is about surviving one's own wreckage. Through his experiences, Naus learns valuable lessons about himself and the world around him. As readers follow Naus's journey, they are invited to contemplate their own demons and consider the possibility of change.
Critical Reception
The book has received mixed reviews, with some praising its honesty and others criticizing its editing and writing style. Some readers found the first section too long and drawn out. I suspect Naus was trying to firmly establish for the reader the severity of his addiction. However, this was communicated rather quickly, and I found myself grudgingly listening to him do the same things over and over again, with all the accompanying shame associated with his behavior. It seemed like a list of every shameful act he'd committed. It was a relief to finally hit the recovery section, and he captured the nature of very early recovery very well. However, it was the third section, about the experience of paying the price for his earlier behavior, that was the most fascinating part of this book. Naus really found his writing voice and brought the entire experience to life. However, it was the third section, about the experience of paying the price for his earlier behavior, that was the most fascinating part of this book. I'm glad I stuck it out and got there - this is where Naus really found his writing voice and brought the entire experience to life. I almost gave up halfway through the first section.
One reviewer noted the numerous typos, structural errors, and grammatical problems, suggesting that the book could have benefited from more thorough editing.
Despite its flaws, many readers have found "Straight Pepper Diet" to be a powerful and moving memoir. One reader wrote: "This book is undeniably a wonderful read. It is engrossing, comical, witty, and sad rolled into one large book. I was promised a book that would be a page turner and it lived up to that plus some. It kept me engrossed from the beginning to the end and never took a turn that I couldn't follow. I was disappointed when the book ended because I wanted more!"
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