5 Books About Drug Addiction
As I have read a number of books about drug addiction recently, I have decided to dedicate a blog post to the subject.
The following 5 books are presented in the order in which they were published:
Confessions of an English Opium-Eater by Thomas De Quincey (1800)
Published in 1821, Confessions of an English Opium-Eater is widely regarded as being the forefather of addiction literature. The book embraces an ornate prose style and grandiloquent use of language.
My Review: The first part of this autobiographical work takes the form of a lengthy discourse on the author’s childhood and teenage years… (More)
My Verdict: Downer
Novel with Cocaine by M. Ageyev (1934)
Reprehensible anti-hero Vadim offers some profound insights into the human condition in this depressing, nihilistic and at times humorous novel about adolescence and addiction.
My Review: Set in the years immediately before and after the Russian Revolution, Novel with Cocaine follows the life of Vadim, a Moscow adolescent and student… (More)
My Verdict: Good Stuff
Junky by William S. Burroughs (1953)
Junky is a semi-autobiographical novella, in which the author successfully utilises a detached journalistic approach to capture the obsessive nature of addiction.
My Review: Set in 1950s America and Mexico, Junky is a confessional novella about drug addiction. Its protagonist Bill Lee chronicles his drug-centred existence, … (More)
My Verdict: Good Stuff
The Basketball Diaries by Jim Carroll (1978)
Narrated in a candid, brutal and matter of fact manner, The Basketball Diaries is a realistic depiction of an inner city youth drawn into a life of addiction.
My Review: Author Jim Carroll recounts his New York youth in this classic piece of adolescent literature. The book, which takes the form of seasonal diary entries, … (More)
My Verdict: Okay
Wasting Talent by Ryan Leone (2014)
Author Ryan Leone uses innovative writing techniques and a frenetic and at times poetic prose style to weave this graphic story about drug addiction.
My Review: Young guitar virtuoso Damien Cantwell is a member of a band in Southern California. Damian is talented, popular and good looking, but has a drug problem… (More)
My Verdict: Good Stuff
I plan to expand on this post when I get around to reading Irvine Welsh’s Skagboys and The Diary of a Drug Fiend by Aleister Crowley.
If you haven’t read it already you might be interested in my blog post about drug addicted authors – 7 Famous Drug Addicted Authors.
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Fantastic to see wasting talent making the list. Only one on the list I’ve read.
I know you also enjoyed Wasting Talent. Hope you get a chance to read Junky and Novel with Cocaine. Have a good weekend Jason.
Thank you, Guy for the Versatile Blogger nomination. I also liked this post and would love to read all these books. I’m afraid time is not on my side, and I must get to Necropolis first.
That’s a good plan John. Enjoy your weekend.
Junky is one of my fav books. Your Confessions of an English Opium …. review made me laugh.
I know you love Burroughs Trina. Pleased to hear that you enjoyed reading my Confessions of an English Opium-Eater review. I didn’t enjoy reading it that’s for sure, but it was an experience. Have a good weekend.
Have you read diary of a drug fiend? I quite liked that one, it has a couple of different writing styles which makes it an interesting read.
Not yet Jason, but I’m planning to.
Thank you for the nomination for the Versatile Blogger Award Guy.
I think these books would make great research for a novel featuring drug users. I’ve been using the Internet. It’s amazing what information you can find. I’ve got a very suspicious search history though. 🙂
You’re welcome Heather. I like your idea. All I need now is some first hand addiction experience and I’ll be ready to write the book. You are not the only one with a suspicious search history.