About
- December 10th, 2009
Click the book cover to read an excerpt.
Few people who have been slave to an addiction as vicious, as destructive, and as unrelenting as Colin Broderick’s have lived to tell their tale. Fewer still have emerged from the darkest depths of alcoholism—from the perpetual fistfights and muggings, car crashes and blackouts—to tell the harrowing truth about the modern Irish immigrant experience.
Orangutan is the story of a generation of young men and women in search of identity in a foreign land, both in love with and at odds with the country they’ve made their home. So much more than just another memoir about battling addiction, Orangutan is an odyssey across the unforgiving terrain of 1980s, ’90s, and post-9/11 America.
Whether he is languishing in the boozy squalor of the Bronx, coke-fueled and manic in the streets of Manhattan, chasing Hunter S. Thompson’s American Dream from San Francisco to the desert, or turning the South into his beer-soaked playground, Broderick plainly and unflinchingly charts what it means to be Irish in America, and how the grips of heritage can destroy a man’s soul. But brutal though Orangutan may be, it is ultimately a story of hope and redemption—it is the story of an Irish drunk unlike any you’ve met before.
Orangutan Book Trailer
Colin reading at Barnes and Noble, January 14, 2010
Colin reading at Book Revue
Colin Broderick is a writer/carpenter from County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. He currently resides in Manhattan.
brilliant book….hope everything is working out for you..i have many of the same problems but your book had helped
I am almost finished reading your book. I am truly enjoying it. You are an excellent writer and I look forward to more, more, more from you.
Wilma Ferguson
Stratford, Ontario, Canada
well, I finished your book – I am amazed that you are still alive
you are an excellent writer but the depth of your addiction aghasts me
I read your memoir with fascination, awe, disgust, fear and hope that you can stay away from booze but to be honest I have my doubts…
ah well, it’s none of my business
take care of yourself Colin Broderick – I do wish you the best
cheers
I just finished “Orangutan.” Wow. Great book. Once I picked it up I couldn’t put it down.
mr. broderick > i recently completed ‘orangutan’ and was affected so profoundly that i needed to contact you directly. your story is so heartbreaking, but inspiring at the same time and i wanted to congratulate you on your amazing accomplishment.
i myself am a recovering alcoholic (3 years sober in march 2010) and reading your memoir brought me back to all of the dark times in my own life. no one understands what it is like to live the life of an alcoholic (except other drunks of course) and i was comforted in your words because i could relate with them on such a deep level. “alcohol had robbed me of my humanity…”, this line completely described what had happened to me in my own battle with the drug. i had worked a string of dead-end jobs that i hated and was miserable with myself. alcohol was the only way that i could cope. over time it took its toll on me and indeed robbed me of my humanity.
the analogy of the orangutan is spot on in my estimation. there is something inside the soul of a drunk waiting to be liberated and an orangutan is the best analogy that i’ve heard in all of my days of treatment and aa.
anyway, i love the work. it was honestly one of the best books that i’ve ever read in my life and i look forward to reading much more from you in the future. congratulations on finally finding happiness for yourself and i wish you nothing but the best that life has to offer.
sincerely > t.w. bacon
Amazing book…changed my life in a way, thanks for sharing.
Sounds odd to say your book was a great read when it was about your difficult journey to sobriety but I was engrossed from the first page. I’m from the Kingsbridge/Riverdale area and thoroughly enjoyed the Irish scene throughout the ’80s. Wild but fun times. I remember when the An Beal Bocht opened as a coffeehouse and I continue to enjoy the Cafe in all its glory. I found your book even more of a good read as I know the cast of “characters.” Dermot and Tony are good people. As horrific as your journey was, I admit to laughing out loud in some spots –the South Bronx gun scene was priceless. Well done. I look forward to future writings. Wishing you continued success on all fronts.
re Wilma’s comment;
You hope he stays away from booze but you have your doubts! Nice.
Nice support. You Irish? I really love being connected to a heritage that’s so critical of so much behavior…especially anything that leads to some kind of improvement. Keep that cold, conditional love flowing! Amen.
@wilma ferguson
Hey Colin ,
I look forward to seeing your documentary in the near future and I just finished your book . It’s good to know that through all that mess and ugliness , you found someone to share your life with and your story .
Good story. Sorry, but I laughed so hard when he tells about having called the CIA while drunk (too funny!!). My mother is Irish and I live in New Orleans, after reading this book I don’t think I’ll ever drink again.
Hope he has seriously stopped drinking and continues to write.
Been down the same road, twice, 13 yrs sober now. Looking forward to reading your tale.
Re Wilma’s comment: You tell him you’re glad he’s done this, then tell him you don’t think he can stay sober.. THEN you end with “cheers” Good job… Number one thing for people in recovery is SUPPORT.
I do not understand why some people come on places like this just to a)start fights b)be mean… You have nothing better to do with your time? Hes doing something with his life, are you?
great read im not a big reader but couldnt let it down as bad as this sounds it takes a real man to make fun of his demons
Hi!
i really liked the book. I finished it this morning at 6 am. your style is very … immediate and has a remarkable ability to convey credible emotion ( or shifting of emotion ..) without melodrama and just the right amount of self deprecation. i am a European brain doctor living in NYC since 1993. I did my internship in Bellevue. I would never live elsewhere. I know 90% of all “landmarks” mentioned in the book.
i don’t think thsi is a book about alcohol( it’s also about cocaine and vicodin..LOL ). it’s a book about the need to belong and escape, respectively; Henry Miller, the writer, says that ” Until we lose ourselves there is no hope of finding ourselves”. i personally believe that very few people are as lucky as to find themselves. Some never go searching, some are afraid to get lost, some stay lost and some are too afraid to really find out who they are. and they keep feeding themselves stories.
it takes guts and sacrifice to find oneself. but i think it’s probably the most worth taking trip in one;s life. and the most satisfying… but one needs to be alive at the end of the journey to savor their new found self…
please write more books….
Ola, what’s up amigos?
I will be happy to get some help at the start.
Thanks in advance and good luck!
Colin,
Fantastic Book… didnt want to put it down, a long journey for you but with success at the end. I wish you and your family continued success and I look forward to reading more of your books.
p.s.
(Found out about your book in the Ulster Herald newspaper).
@Colin Broderick
Colin
I absolutely loved your book!! Some really funny parts in it i enjoyed were when you were in the fertility clinic! You’re a natural writer so keep going, I will look out for your other works. I’ve been through the same journey as well so know how it is. You’re tops.
I contacted you before on My Space just finished it for the second time liked it even more. Keep writing please.
I thought of you and your book today when I was gripping the cool condensation of my dorm-room toilet at 2 in the afternoon. That damn orangutan punching me over and over again in the stomach. Excellent book, I look forward to the next one.
Colin, great job on the book.
The New York of the late 80’s and early 90’s, especially the Irish Bar scene comes alive…I remember it well, sort of, maybe. I was waiting to hear mention of the “Lookalikes” band, lol. Maybe that was more of a Queens Sally Obriens/The Bliss scene…I saw “Roaring Twenties” and developed claustrophobia and a hangover all at once!
Anyway, congrats on surviving with your talent intact, many dont.
Hope to read more of your stuff.
All the best!
I was one of the many women totally engaged by your reading from Orangutan at Vicki Abelson’s home last week in the Los Angeles area. Bought two books; sent one off to an Irish friend who’s from Derry and just finished the one I bought for myself. Wow. Seeing you and hearing you speak, I would not have guessed the life in the book was yours. Compelling and engaging. Thanks for the good read.
Have you seen the film, “Factotum?” It’s about a writer drifting through dead-end jobs in an attempt to fuel his passion for alcohol and women. Based on the 1975 book by Charles Bukowski about a guy in 1944 America.
Good luck to you
Memoir being my favorite form of writing, I’ve literally read hundreds and yours will rank up there with my favorites for its brutal honesty. I loved your reading at Women Who Write and am so glad I bought your book. I’ve known quite a few drunks and addicts (I do live in Hollywood after all) and if Oprah wanted to choose a book about addiction, this should have been the one. Beautifully written, even with its often dark subject, I found myself laughing out loud. Great job. I’m recommending it all the time.
Hi Colin, just finished reading “Orangutan”. From the first page, I just couldn’t put the book down. An absolutely fantastic read. I had many a laugh through it and felt like crying through parts too. I’m amazed that you are still alive to tell all those tales (thank god). Have to say I’m sad to be finished reading the book and wait anxiously for your next book. Any ideas when you will have your next book ready?
Best of luck with it all anyway. Hope life is being good to you and your family.
From a great storyteller and philosopher comes one of the best books I’ve read in years, “Orangutan.” Couldn’t put it down, and can’t wait for more! Real life through one person’s real eyes. It’s all about the choices we make, isn’t it?
Sanctity
To be a poet and not know the trade
To be a lover and repel all women
Twin ironies by which great saints are made
The agonising pincer-jaws of Heaven
-Patrick Kavanagh
Copyright © Estate of Katherine Kavanagh
You know the trade and I doubt you repel anyone now. Found this poem on another one of your blog entries and looked it up. More to think about.
Hey Colin,
I found your book on the kitchen table when I came into my house hungover this morning. I just finished it. It’s brilliant. I finally can picture the scene that my parents, aunts and uncles immigrated to. It’s helped me to understand a lot more about the construction scene and the immigrant exodus after 9/11. It was both entertaining and invaluable. Thank you and keep writing.
Hi Collin,
I received you book in the mail yesterday and finished it at 3 am this morning. Its the best thing I have read in an age. I have lived in the Woodlawn since 1994 so I was familiar with many of you haunts and characters. The opening of the book grabbed my attention with the description of the trip to work down the Deegan . This book is one wild ride. You really captured how the “Kings of Katonah Avenue” operated but without judgement or bias. I had always hoped there would be a book of this nature documenting life in the Bronx for irish imigrants such as ourselves. Good luck to you and your family, I wish you continued success professionally and personally.
Thank you
Carmel
Thank you for your book , and for the first time I feel that there is a story like mine ,hard drinking and drugging , new life in recovery, A.A. friends and girlfriends , and then relationships end ,and you return to the drinking and drugging. I have had many of the same things happen , and I followed you being the same age with the ups and downs,but I want to say that your memoir has inspired me to keep going forward. I live with my sons mother , my girlfriend , and she has Phase 4 breast cancer, and its been rough when you add the drinking.
You are right that there are no Hollywood endings, but also there are not your A.A. endings as well. I still attend my local meetings , but the social network you described about A.A. is brilliant ( the rest of the world now has a small taste of that with facebook I think) But I want to thank you , as I have been inspired by your experience , that I can experience this life of mine sober, for my son, and to be with this woman in what will be her last year or two of life.
God bless ya Colin and your family , and hope to read more of your work in the future!
A kindred spirit
Bobby McCausland.
Dear Colin,
Not sure this is the way to email you directly, but let me know.
Congrats on Orangatan. Both my wife and I enjoyed it. It was engaging, hard to put down.
We do have a personal connection as we knew you in the late 80s, early 90’s – the era of the McClean’s Hudson Valey Flooring Co and the Peter Downs Floor Store, etc. And Paul and Desy et al have kept us up on your trails from time to time.
I have purchased a copy of Orangatan for my brother who, at 50, has just begun his journey of sobriety. I wish you continuing success with that as well. Your talent and potential were obviously sabatoged by the substances. ANy part I may have played in exacerbating that, I deeply regret.
We are in Rhode Island these days but occassionalyy get into the city. If you send your contacts or when you will have another book-signing/reading event perhaps we can get together for a meal?
All the best, Dan Donaghue
Colin effing Broderick!
Jesus Christ buddy. I didn’t think anybody screwed up more than me…but-you take the cake. Must be that Irish blood (I’m Irish on my Mom’s side-O’Neill).
But anyway I just started your book. I can relate and its good when somebody actually writes part of your own story(speaking of myself here.)
I always wanted to write down my story-didn’t think anyone would be interested. Your worse than me but I lasted longer (I’m 50.) To be honest it wasn’t AA so much that sobered me up the past couple of years..I fell into responsibility (got to take care of my 10 year old boy. His Mom was a bigger drunk tham me.)So my advise Colin bro’ is stay close to your kid. If your a decent Dad you won’t want to be a poor role model. Gotta finish your book. Be good!
After reading Orangutan, I’ll read anything you write. It’s very seldom a book can grab my attention within the first 2 pages. You have lead a wonderful and sometimes tragic life-but oh what a ride. Thanks for letting us peek into it. Cheers!
Colin,
I read this book about a year ago. It opened a world I did’nt know existed and when I finished reading I wanted to read more and more. The book was a very honest tale and loved the humor. Can’t wait till next book.
Teresa
Co. Tyrone
I was recommended this book by a friend who knew I also came to the U.S. in ‘89 from Northern Ireland. I decided to buy several copies for Christmas gifts. When they arrived on Monday evening by mail and I read the first page, I was hooked. I can’t put the feckin thing down or stop talking about it. So much to relate to. Please keep writing. You have a huge Irish audience!
Browsing in Barnes and Nobel and came across Orangutan. That was a week ago. I just finished it today! I’m a substance abuse counselor and read a portion of the book at work in our therapy group. I read from right before you picked up and starting up with Oksana to the point you were cursing out Bill W. Our whole group laughed while identifying with the insanity of addiction. You wrote it with pure honesty giving insight to others who my not know the how “the disease” talks to us and rationalizes our bullshit! I can relate to no regrets. Hope to get a copy of my book signed some day. I’m busy with work and my family but I think I’ll try to get to your reading at the Irish International Immigrant Center- only about 3 hours from Albany, NY. I come from an Irish Catholic family only far from being recent immigrants. Your book really helped me understand what an immigrant experience is outside old family stories and out dated text books. I want to learn more thanks to your book! Can’t wait to stumble across more of your work! Peace