High On Arrival

Book: High On Arrival
Author: Mackenzie Phillips

Grade: B

Sex, drugs and rock and roll are par for the course when it comes to young Hollywood darlings. So, what makes Phillips's tale of decent into this familiar territory noteworthy? The distinguishing plot twist is that it revolves almost entirely around her father (John Phillips from The Mama's and The Papa's). John introduces her to music, drugs (they proceed to spend the majority of Phillips' life getting high together) and sex!

Phillips brings to light the startling story of a sexual relationship with her father that continues until her mid twenties. We watch as she tries to, and eventually succeeds at, untangling the web of lies and manipulation that led her into the devastating heroin and cocaine addiction that threatened to take everything from her. Phillips candidly exposes a form of incest that is rarely openly talked about. She explores the idea of blame, she reflects on what exactly constitutes consensual sex (versus what qualifies as abuse).

She manages to tell an alarming story without painting her father as evil. Rather, she has empathy for the tortured man she knows him to be. Exposing abuse in a way that humanizes the perpetrator is a feat most people trip up on. Phillips, however, adeptly navigates the terrain.

In the end, we watch her make peace with her past, forgive her father and create a calm and contented life for herself and her son Shane in a way that I can't honestly say I would be able to. I've developed a great respect for her and her willingness to come out with a story that invariably leaves her vulnerable to judgement.

"High On Arrival" earns my recommendation, hands down.