In this searing novel first published in 1978, two young hoods, Harry and Tyrone, and a girlfriend fantasize about scoring a pound of heroin and getting rich. But their heroin habit gets the better of them, and Harry's mother's addiction to diet pills lands her in a state mental hospital.
The visionary that is Hubert Selby Jr. shines through in this portrayel of 4 people, all struggling to discover the happiness that they continue to be denied. The tale is told quite flawlessly of the fated 4. Their quest for joy starts with the pursuit of a fix; whether it is the drug that their bodies' are convinced they need, or being able to fit into that dress that once looked stunning. The fix is obtainable, but it comes at a high cost. You also can't forget that once you're at the top, you can only fall.
The technique used by the author can be confusing at times. Selby throws away the quotation marks that divide the story from the speaking. At first, i was turned off by this. By the middle, though, it becomes standard enough to easily comprehend. Selby aslo has a unique brand of descriptive writing which is displayed time and time again in this novel.
This novel is one of my favorites. It has the twists and turns to keep readers eager to read to the end. Selby delivers from start to finish! Read this book if you want a rewarding challenge.
Read...
...read...
...and then read some more
