Drugs

Details

ISBN-10: 1609804015
ISBN-13: 9781609804015
Publisher: Seven Stories Press
Publish Date: 05/22/2012
Dimensions: 8.21" L, 5.53" W, 0.73" H

Drugs

byJ R Helton

Paperback

Price: $15.95

Overview

A modern homage to William S. Burrough’s classic Junky, the new novel Drugs is the sparse, beautifully unassuming account of one man’s life of drug use.

As Robert Crumb, who illustrated the book jacket, says,
“J. R. Helton really speaks to me–starkly honest, darkly funny, acutely observant, and captures the tragic absurdity of human life. . . . [H]e’s right up there with the best of them.”

This fictionalized memoir is told in masterfully wry, Spartan prose with no apologies for a drug-user’s lifestyle, and instead looks back on it with clever insight and an appreciation for everything felt and observed. With self-awareness and conviction, Helton avoids the sensationalist commentary so common to drug memoirs and instead favors the honest details, the effects of each drug on his body and on his soul. The result is a sincerely told tale of adventure, debauchery, and absurdity.

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Reviews
"J. R. Helton really speaks to me–starkly honest, darkly funny, acutely observant, and captures the tragic absurdity of human life ... [H]e's right up there with the
best of them." –Robert Crumb

"Helton ... writes with passion, clarity, and fairness." –Harvey Pekar, author of American Splendor

"Just when you think there's nothing to new to say about drugs, Drugs marches out whole new ways to fuck up your brain, your life, and basically anyone insane or unlucky enough to cross your path. This is a truly riveting, mind-altering read, not to be missed." –Jerry Stahl, author of Permanent Midnight

"Appearances can be deceiving–JR Helton's wonderful book is not so much about 'Drugs' as it is about growing up in America as viewed through the prism of our national past-time. Funny and poignant, Helton has delivered a book that would make Mark Twain proud–it's hilarious, true and subversive–a perfect piece of modern American writing." –Tony O'Neill author of Down and Out on Murder Mile and Sick City

"For three days straight, I did Drugs. The straightforward matter-of-fact prose–reminiscent of William S. Burroughs' classic memoir Junky–latched onto my brain and wouldn't let go until the final page." –Broken Pencil

More Reviews

Details

ISBN-10: 1609804015
ISBN-13: 9781609804015
Publisher: Seven Stories Press
Publish Date: 05/22/2012
Dimensions: 8.21" L, 5.53" W, 0.73" H
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