Fiona O'Loughlin was raised in the generation of children who were to be seen, but not heard ... unless there were guests in the house. Then she'd watch everyone, telling stories, making each other laugh.
This was where she discovered the rhythm of stories and the lubrication that alcohol leant the telling.
Years later, as a mum of five, Fiona would become one of Australia's most-loved comedians, performing gigs in New York, Montreal, Singapore, London, Toronto and Edinburgh.
Fiona looked like she was living her dream - but she was hiding a secret in open sight, using alcoholism as material for her comedy and using comedy as an excuse for her alcoholism.
Truths from an Unreliable Witness is a fiercely honest and wryly funny memoir from one of Australia's most loved comedians which shows us that no matter how far down you get, there is always a way back.
It's a story of melancholy, love, marriage, the loss of love and marriage, homelessness, of hotel rooms strewn with empty mini-bar bottles of vodka, of waking from a two-week coma, of putrid drug dens and using a jungle to confront yourself. It is about hitting rock bottom and then realising you are only halfway down. Ultimately, it's about hanging on to your last straw of sanity and finding laughter in the darkest of times.
This book is a record of moments, events and experiences that have humoured, humbled and heartbroken me, but it is not an actual book of record. Writing these pages, I've searched my mind for clarity to tell my story as I remember it. Others will recall the story differently. But this is my book (get your own). It may not always be accurate - but it is all true.
- Fiona O'Loughlin
Fiona O'Loughlin is Australian comedy royalty with an award winning career of almost 20 years. Fiona performs to packed houses across the globe from headlining the world-renowned Improv Comedy Club in LA to repeat seasons in Hong Kong, and performing at Edinburgh Fringe, Montreal's Just for Laughs Comedy Festival, Adelaide Fringe and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
As well as a critically acclaimed stand-up comedian, Fiona, who lives in Adelaide, is an author previously publishing Me of the Never in 2013. She also appeared on I'm a Celebrity Get me Out of Here, Good News Week, Spicks and Specks and Celebrity Apprentice.
Eileen Wood
I'm a senior news journalist at The Senior newspaper, the leading publication bringing targeted news on issues affecting older Australians. We cover NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, SA and WA. If you have a story idea I would love to hear it. You can email me: eileen.wood@thesenior.com.au or phone The Senior 02-4355-5000, mob. 0487 495 805
I'm a senior news journalist at The Senior newspaper, the leading publication bringing targeted news on issues affecting older Australians. We cover NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, SA and WA. If you have a story idea I would love to hear it. You can email me: eileen.wood@thesenior.com.au or phone The Senior 02-4355-5000, mob. 0487 495 805
