I know this is probably a common topic. For me, I’m not sure if it’s a “trope” or just totally misinformed writing, but it’s how many authors approach alcoholism. Some examples are Girl on the Train and The House Across the Lake, among HUNDREDS. If anyone else here has struggled with alcoholism, you know it’s not just "i woke up after downing an entire bottle of whiskey but was able to shower, down a cup of coffee, and solve a murder. "
or all of that in the same gaptoothed package. yeah, only a handful of people have written kids I could buy (you know what I mean). Anne Tyler and, unexpectedly, John Updike both come to mind.
Lex in Jurassic Park is a very well written, realistic portrayal of an EXTREMELY ANNOYING CHILD. God that kid makes reading JP a slog.