Publisher's Weekly
An alcoholic upper-middle-class WASP sent to a posh clinic to dry out witnesses the hypocritical behavior of the clinic's director. According to PW , Benchley's ''plot may be muddled, but his writing is vigorous and observant . ''

Library Journal
When New York editor Scott Preston needs two double vodkas to start the day, his wife and his boss (threatening loss of marriage and job) ship him off to a rehab center. At the Banner Clinic, rummies and junkies--among them a movie star, a professional athlete, and a mobster--face hard truths and rough treatment, with no expletives deleted. Successful WASP-stereotype Preston is first alienated, then joins in the camaraderie, becomes infatuated with aristocratic addict Priscilla Godfrey, and is drawn into subplots: the mysterious death of a glamorous film star and recent Banner graduate; the abrupt firing of two counselors; and the abuse of Priscilla by clinic-founder Stone Banner, a charismatic ex-cowboy movie star. This is a schizophrenic novel with stereotypical characters, but the Benchley name may create demand. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 6/1/89.-- Michele Leber, Fairfax Cty. P.L., Va.

Anne T. Wallach
Peter Benchley is a terrific writer of stripped-down prose, a funny and literate man. So he blends all these characters smoothly until they're awash in a tricky plot that keeps you going to the slam-bang end. Then you realize it's a plot whose intricate maneuverings work directly against the book's premise: that forcing alcoholics and addicts into treatment can save their lives. In fact, Mr. Benchley's plot is a dream of alcoholic denial....That's why you can enjoy ''Rummies'' and still wind up feeling a little sorry that the gifted Mr. Benchley, writing on this subject, chose to trade hope and realism for all those thrills and chills. -- New York Times