papsmearino's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mrspontellier's review against another edition
3.0
Great voice, didn't like all of the structural choices.
awkward_bee's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
There wasn't really much to this book. I see it as a very real "slice of life" story, and for me, that's important. There are a few moments where the main character thinks some deep thoughts, but overall, the story isn't deep, emotional, touching, or exciting in any way. It really just *is*. And honestly, that's fine too. I hope it finds its way into the hands of YA audiences who may better connect with the narrator.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Addiction
Minor: Mass/school shootings
elizabethtye's review against another edition
2.0
A week of musings from a teenage boy who is slowly losing everyone around him. It is not the best writing, in my opinion, and had a lot of unanswered questions. I would not read again and would not recommend to anyone.
becandbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Actual rating: 2.5
Trigger warnings:
I have a lot of thoughts about this book. Some of them are good. Some of them not so much. And some I just don't know?
Opioid, Indiana follows a week in the life of 17-year-old Riggle. He lives in a small town in Indiana, in the presidential-era of Donald Trump. Riggle is an orphan who is now living in a household of his drug-using uncle. On top of this, he is living in an America which is riddled with drugs, school shootings and confederate flags.
I want to note here that I do not live in America, so I have very little lived-in experience of this national climate.
Overall, the story is a dialogue of Riggle's thoughts throughout this week. Quite often, these thoughts are incredibly crude. While this may be a dictation on how a society effects the way a teenager views the world, it quite often seemed unnecessary and crude just for the sake of being crude. This begins very early on, and had this not been an ALC, it may have very quickly caused me to DNF the story.
The story is also intertwined with folk-type tales that Riggle used to be told by his late-mother. While these were an interesting element to the story, I didn't really understand the reason for their inclusion?
The audio and narration of the story was something that I did enjoy. Had this story been matched with a different narrator it could quickly have become something that was difficult to slog through, when paired with the crude commentary and seemingly unnecessary story-telling.
Despite everything that I struggled with, Carr presents us with a very unique narrative of life in modern America. The disagreeable protagonist was an interesting element, as the reader is forced to consider their situation and how they feel towards the character because of their circumstances. The writing style throughout was incredibly good as well.
And so I'm settling on a 2.5/5. Right in the middle. I don't think I'll pick this up again but the book does have some merit. Just be aware of the trigger warnings if you want to pick this one up.
Trigger warnings:
Spoiler
racial slurs, misogyny, substance abuse, underage drinking, domestic abuse, deathI have a lot of thoughts about this book. Some of them are good. Some of them not so much. And some I just don't know?
Opioid, Indiana follows a week in the life of 17-year-old Riggle. He lives in a small town in Indiana, in the presidential-era of Donald Trump. Riggle is an orphan who is now living in a household of his drug-using uncle. On top of this, he is living in an America which is riddled with drugs, school shootings and confederate flags.
I want to note here that I do not live in America, so I have very little lived-in experience of this national climate.
Overall, the story is a dialogue of Riggle's thoughts throughout this week. Quite often, these thoughts are incredibly crude. While this may be a dictation on how a society effects the way a teenager views the world, it quite often seemed unnecessary and crude just for the sake of being crude. This begins very early on, and had this not been an ALC, it may have very quickly caused me to DNF the story.
The story is also intertwined with folk-type tales that Riggle used to be told by his late-mother. While these were an interesting element to the story, I didn't really understand the reason for their inclusion?
The audio and narration of the story was something that I did enjoy. Had this story been matched with a different narrator it could quickly have become something that was difficult to slog through, when paired with the crude commentary and seemingly unnecessary story-telling.
Despite everything that I struggled with, Carr presents us with a very unique narrative of life in modern America. The disagreeable protagonist was an interesting element, as the reader is forced to consider their situation and how they feel towards the character because of their circumstances. The writing style throughout was incredibly good as well.
And so I'm settling on a 2.5/5. Right in the middle. I don't think I'll pick this up again but the book does have some merit. Just be aware of the trigger warnings if you want to pick this one up.
Note: Review copy (audio) received via Libro.FM. This does not impact opinions within this review.
blog • trigger warning database • more links
Happy reading! ❤
takesthecake_'s review against another edition
dark
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I enjoyed the story and I want to give the main character a hug
mariahroze's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book for the Goodreads' Book Club: Diversity in All Forms! If you would like to participate in the discussion here is the link: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/21621956-opioid-indiana-august-2020
I really enjoyed this book in the beginning, but then I felt like it went down hill. There was no real plot and the story jumped all over. I'm not really sure what it was but I stopped "feeling it" halfway through and it took me much longer to finish it.
"During a week-long suspension from school, a teenage transplant to impoverished rural Indiana searches for a job, the whereabouts of his vanished drug-addicted guardian, and meaning in the America of the Trump years.
Seventeen-year-old Riggle is living in rural Indiana with his uncle and uncle’s girlfriend after the death of both of his parents. Now his uncle has gone missing, probably on a drug binge. It’s Monday, and $800 in rent is due Friday. Riggle, who’s been suspended from school, has to either find his uncle or get the money together himself. His mission exposes him to a motley group of Opioid locals—encounters by turns perplexing, harrowing, and heartening. Meanwhile, Riggle marks each day by remembering the mythology his late mother invented for him about how the days got their names.
With amazing directness and insight, Carr explores what it’s like to be a high school kid in in the age of Trump, a time of economic inequality, addiction, confederate flags, and mass shootings. A work of empathy and insight that pierces to the heart of our moment through an unforgettable protagonist."
I really enjoyed this book in the beginning, but then I felt like it went down hill. There was no real plot and the story jumped all over. I'm not really sure what it was but I stopped "feeling it" halfway through and it took me much longer to finish it.
"During a week-long suspension from school, a teenage transplant to impoverished rural Indiana searches for a job, the whereabouts of his vanished drug-addicted guardian, and meaning in the America of the Trump years.
Seventeen-year-old Riggle is living in rural Indiana with his uncle and uncle’s girlfriend after the death of both of his parents. Now his uncle has gone missing, probably on a drug binge. It’s Monday, and $800 in rent is due Friday. Riggle, who’s been suspended from school, has to either find his uncle or get the money together himself. His mission exposes him to a motley group of Opioid locals—encounters by turns perplexing, harrowing, and heartening. Meanwhile, Riggle marks each day by remembering the mythology his late mother invented for him about how the days got their names.
With amazing directness and insight, Carr explores what it’s like to be a high school kid in in the age of Trump, a time of economic inequality, addiction, confederate flags, and mass shootings. A work of empathy and insight that pierces to the heart of our moment through an unforgettable protagonist."
ezoots's review against another edition
2.0
I really enjoyed the pictures this book illustrated and how it was written. But the book didn’t go anywhere. Like anywhere at all this was like the start of a book you are invested in the character and the story and their lives and the author just puts it down and forgets to pick it up again...hits a publish button somewhere and it’s out among the readers I guess. Read it but try to be less disappointed at the ending then I was. Lucky for you I have laid the groundwork for you.
anneessdee's review against another edition
challenging
funny
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0