This book is apparently geared towards young adults; I am twenty-three and I got into it, so go figure. This is the story of Gemma and Tar, two fourteen-year-old British teens in love. But there is an extra person in their relationship; heroin, smack, dope, the needle. It's really pretty realistic, coming from someone who has been there. It's decent book, kinda gritty. And it definitely tugs at your heart strings, if you know what I mean...

Honestly? People who are into drugs and the drug culture. People who are into the game. People who want to know what "it's like" without going there.

Me, being an ex-junkie myself, *I* liked the dope talk. And the sense these kids made. And the fact that alot of the stuff that happened in their relationship happened in my own drug-induced love too.

Not do drugs. Every other book I read about drugs make me want to do them. This one barely even glamorized it. Which IS a good thing, in case you're wondering.

This book is written by a British man, and thus, contains alot of British slang. But don't fret--Burgess actually includes a GLOSSARY at the end of the book.

On a different note, I have to stress that anyone that has or had a drug problem, anyone who struggles with substance abuse, I definitely caution you against this book. Although Burgess comes "full circle" with the tale, giving every miserable detail to show how excruciating heroin addiction is, the good parts are still oh so good, if you know what I mean. Proceed with caution.

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Created Nov 05, 2003 at 12:08am • Submit your own review...