SKU: 2145297309

Damage Control: A Memoir of Outlandish Privilege, Loss and Redemption

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Damage Control: A Memoir of Outlandish Privilege, Loss and RedemptionA powerful blazingly honest memoir told with humor and panache about a mother and son finding each other again after years of estrangement. A coming of age story of outrageous excess, glamour, entitlement and grand delusion, lived above the fray and over the top. A gay man's journey through the joys and perils of his generation, coming out in the early eighties in the shadow of a terrifying of disease that would devastate so many, surviving tremendous

A powerful blazingly honest memoir told with humor and panache about a mother and son finding each other again after years of estrangement. A coming-of-age story of outrageous excess, glamour, entitlement and grand delusion, lived above the fray and over the top. A gay man's journey through the joys and perils of his generation, coming out in the early eighties in the shadow of a terrifying of disease that would devastate so many, surviving tremendous loss and culminating in his decision to adopt a child as a single parent.

When Sergei, a psychotherapist who has been living in Paris for the past decade, discovers that his mother is terminally ill, he decides to leave his practice and his life to be by her side, in the hope of healing the bitterness and discord before it is too late. Alternating between a narrative of Dollsie's last months as she battles cancer, interwoven with poignant and hilarious and at times shocking scenes from their outlandishly privileged lives, DAMAGE CONTROL is a story about exile and loss, searching and escape. From the mountain villages of Gstaad, Switzerland, to New York and Miami and Cuba, the narrator revisits the chateaux and chalets of his childhood, exploring the emotional and geographical landscapes of a mother and son whose lives are revealed to be poignant parallels of each other. After avoiding his mother for a lifetime, seeking shelter from her destructiveness and her drinking and her rage, Sergei comes face-to-face with this narcissistic woman confronting mortality for the first time, and through his own experiences as an activist and a therapist and a man who has faced his own mortality at young age, he helps her to come to terms with all her guilt and regrets and fear of dying.

This memoir offers a fascinating and disturbing portrayal of a glamorous woman whose life has been one of great elegance and luxury, along with disillusionment, grandiosity, seduction and self-destruction: her childhood in pre-Castro Cuba, a mythical island paradise; her marriage at the age of eighteen to a dashing young Swiss man and their subsequent exile; her frantic and desperate resolve to create a mythical life of her own and pass on the traditions of aristocracy to her children, all the while leading a double life and suffering feelings of intense longing and frustration and guilt which eventually cause her to destroy and walk away from everything that she has been raised to want and expect out of life.

DAMAGE CONTROL is ultimately a rendering of the cycle of life, saying goodbye to a parent so you can say hello to a child, and finding grace and redemption through a mother's love.


Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Carol Mann Agency
Published: 04/08/2014
ISBN: 9780786755844
Pages: 296
Weight: 0.88lbs
Size: 8.90h x 5.90w x 0.80d
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SKU: 2145297309

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ashlynnk
Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 4
Cute, comfortable waterproof boots (a little snug to put on)
Size: 7, Color: Velvet Tan/Gum 2
These are really cute Chelsea-style boots and feel very comfortable once they’re on. The waterproof material is great for wet weather and the sole feels sturdy with good traction. They look stylish enough to wear casually but still feel practical for rainy days. The only downside is they can be a little difficult to put on at first because the opening is somewhat snug, but once they’re on they fit well and feel supportive. Overall they’re a great waterproof boot and I’ve enjoyed wearing them.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2026
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Abby B
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 5
Surprisingly great for my wide feet and high instep!
Size: 10.5, Color: Velvet Tan/Gum 2
So thrilled I took a chance on these. Finding boots is impossible for me. I have wide feet, a super high instep, a bunion on one foot, and I wear a hard to find size (10.5). I ordered the 10.5 and 11 in these expecting I might need to size up for width (if I could even get them on). It was a struggle getting the 10.5s on the first time, and once I did they were somewhat uncomfortable on the top of my left foot. But I read that they would relax so decided to give it a go because I need waterproof boots for an upcoming trip and the 11s felt too long. After two days of light wear, they are already breaking in and I have no more discomfort. Getting them on is already easier and they are plenty wide enough and very comfortable to walk in. These are true to size. Super happy and worth a day of mild discomfort to break them in!
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Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2026
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EE
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 5
Comfortable, sturdy, waterproof
Size: 9.5, Color: Black/Black
Loce, love, love these boots. Have walked ten miles with no foot pain around NYC. They go with everything and and are so comfortable. As they are waterproof/resistant, they get a little warm in high temps, but perfect three-season boots.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2026
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Kate
Waukegan, US
★★★★★ 5
Super cute, comfortable, practical, love that they are slip on
Size: 10.5, Color: Tobacco/Black
I have worn these 2-3 times already. The first day was a school/work day so I was on my feet 9 hours and the only issue I had was with the side of the boot rubbing against my ankle. I just make sure I wear socks high enough to cover my ankles or jeans that go into the boots now for long wear days. Absolutely love them! They keep my feet dry in this snow( we live in Michigan). I had been looking for a pair like this for awhile now and was getting super frustrated that I couldn't find my size in any that I liked. I saw that they had these available in a 10.5 and I wear 11. I looked at the Sorel website reviews (since the amazon ones weren't super helpful on sizing) and they said that the boots ran big so I took a chance on the 10.5 fitting me. They fit perfect. I have long narrow feet but I could see where they would be tight or uncomfortable on someone with wider feet. I've been trying to find a pair for my mom now since she has boot envy.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2026
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Nicholle King
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 5
Worth it.
Size: 8.5, Color: Crushed Clay/Gum 2
Love all my Sorels. These were really cute, good color, comfortable, warm, fit well, good quality and sturdy. I would order again.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2026

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