Gary Laker’s first book

Too Many Tomorrows

Local writer, Gary Laker writes candidly about his addiction to alcohol and his life in recovery in his book, Too Many Tomorrows. Gary sat down with HOT’s Vanessa Alves to have a chat about his work.

For a short book, it packs a punch.

It is a searing account of what alcohol addiction looks like in someone’s everyday life and the disconnect it creates from reality and the people around him. Working with Amanda Giles, it has taken over a year for this book to come together; it came about due to reaching his sixtieth birthday last year. Gary described it as a pivotal moment to help gain some peace of mind over his past and to hopefully help others now. He is a soft spoken and gentle man and was very nervous about the whole process of writing his account and talking to me about his life.

In his own words, Gary described himself as a ‘functioning drunk’, where he was able to work, plan and scheme how he was going to find the money in order to fund his addiction. This included amassing a large amount of debt and running a few pubs. He is very clear about his destructive behaviour, calling it devious and does not shy away from the regret he feels about his absence from his family over many years. There are many low points in his journey, including a car accident and the ramifications.

Gary’s openness is very much present in his book – with family pictures, poems and diary excerpts written while in rehab. It also includes a section from his wife, Sophie. He explains that even though his own memory has many gaps, an effect from long term alcohol addiction, including not remembering much of his daughter’s childhood, Sophie was witness to it all – and it was important to him for her to share her experience as well.

A poem written by Gary while in rehab

Too Many Tomorrows is an emotional journey which you walk with him, until you see him come out on other side. But it is not as neatly tied up as one might hope. Gary is very open about his daily struggles to remain sober and the challenges he faces, whether it is his own guilt from the past or continuing to say no to alcohol. It is wonderful to read that Gary was able to walk his daughter down the aisle and remain sober during the wedding – that he has taken on running as a hobby.

Gary openly acknowledges that he is a very lucky man to have his wife and two daughters stay with him and continue to support him when they would have had every right to leave.

Too Many Tomorrows ends with a positive affirmation that many would be well acquainted with in recovery groups and highlights the continued journey that Gary continues to travel.

You can find Gary Laker’s book ‘Too Many Tomorrows’ available at Lit Fest, taking place in Hastings from Friday 30 August- Sunday 1 September and BookBusters on Queen’s Road.

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