The Three of Us post 1

The memoir The Three of Us by Julia Blackburn describes the author's life while growing up. We follow the author through her childhood and teen years, along with her parents, Thomas Blackburn and Rosalie de Meric. The main theme in this memoir is addiction. Her father, Thomas, is an alcoholic and a narcotic addict (55). Rosalie is addicted to sex and attention (62). As an adult, Julia comes to understand that these addictions are the result of each parents' deep need to find comfort and security. These addictions provide an emotional crutch to help them through each day. Julia's parents each suffered at the hands of their abusive parents. These addictions are a way to medicate themselves against the pain.

Julia's parents seem unaware that the pain and drama that they inflict on Julia is similarly painful. Because Julia's parents are so involved in their own pain, they seem unaware of the pain that they unconsciously inflict on Julia. Julia grows up thinking that her parents behavior is normal but as she grows older, she sees that their behavior is unorthodox.

Blackburn, Julia. The Three of Us. New York: Random House, 2008.