Anna Beecher is an exceptional writer, who deeply examines the personal as political. As a teenager, alcohol became the path that led to her first sexual experiences. At the tender age of thirteen, she set out on her voyage. Our journey began in the intimate, second floor space of a divey Italian joint. It was here that she first drank, taking small sips from the wine glasses of others. This first experience ignited a catalyst that changed the trajectory of her life. Outside the ballroom, she had her very first kiss on the sidewalk, thanks to the liquid courage from those earlier sips.
By the age of fourteen, Beecher had moved up the alcohol ladder to vodka—but she never graduated to gin. Her formative years were overflowing with life-changing opportunities. Each drink was not only a relief but a key to new social interactions and relationships. She enjoyed her first date standing at the bar of a warm, wood-panelled public house. The Streatham Common man and she formed a bond that grew into an unbreakable connection over seven wonderful years.
The son of a butcher from Streatham Common emerged as an important influence on Beecher’s life. Their relationship was marked by instability. He would frequently go MIA, returning home the next day at 2am. His drinking habits drained him circuitous and jumpy, carving a convoluted path of desire and pursuit for Beecher. While these challenges were draining at times, the relationship was an important chapter of self-discovery and healing for her.
Then came one unforgettable New Year’s Eve when the suitor knocked on Beecher’s door, professing his love. It was this shared moment of wonder that cemented their bond. The love affair soon wore out, bringing an end of an era for Beecher. With that conclusion came what she describes as a “second adolescence.” This time of year is brimming with hopeful longing and refreshing wonder at being alive.
Beecher has documented these journeys in her memoir “We All Come Home Alive,” available from Weidenfeld & Nicolson. In the project, she explores the nuances of her relationship with alcohol, and how the poison became a central character in her love life. From harrowing to charming, Beecher’s delightful scene painting immerses readers to see the world through her eyes. She discusses how alcohol impacted her young adulthood and her growth as a person.