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hunterandrew's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Quick read. Novel styled like a memoir about a journey through heroin addiction. Well-written, very interesting, a story and characters with depth and complexity.
deborahwithanoh's review against another edition
I took a while to take to this book, because the descriptions of the junkie lifestyle are not close to me and I cannot comprehend them. Perhaps the junkie life is exciting, but it's boring to read about, to me at least! But this book is only on the surface level about junk itself -- it's about the unhealthy codependent relationships junk makes you form, about running a business you're not sure you should be involved in; it's about 1980s New York. Is New York City just synonymous with the drug scene? It feels like every book I read about junkies is set in New York. The prose hooks you easily and the personalities of the characters are bright and lively and jump right off the page. It's heartbreaking, too, but the ending is hopeful -- a welcome relief. And even though I read this book on the way home from vacation, the sections set abroad, although this was definitely not their intent, immediately gave me wanderlust again. I don't want to go to these places to do drugs, but the descriptions of the places are beautiful in themselves.
msalexisshea's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book, it so casually describes drug addiction and how it can take over your life in an instant.
noleek's review against another edition
4.0
This was very good. I was so enthralled with the characters that mid-way through I forgot all about the mystery of who sold her out to the police. The perfect balance of compelling story, dark tones and some humor sprinkled throughout. I would read this again.
aaronlindsey's review
4.0
This is an eye-opening novel. Yablonsky, more than once, writes that 'Addicts are the best people I know.' I've known quite a few addicts. I used to work at a rehabilitation company. And she's correct. They are some of the best people I've known.
Reading this book was like living in the middle of the insanity of drug addiction. The 'highs' and lows. Funny at times, but heartbreaking all the way through.
Reading this book was like living in the middle of the insanity of drug addiction. The 'highs' and lows. Funny at times, but heartbreaking all the way through.
morganhenley's review
3.0
3.5. So, believe the title. This book is about heroin. That can be pretty challenging to follow for an entire book, but you know what you're getting. The story is well written and interesting, but I don't think it's for everyone/mood.
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