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kcmomof2's review
4.0
This is a biography of a women who from age 24 to 30ish was horribly addicted to heroin. The book chronicles her life to the pit of hell and back again. Not for the morally pious as this women sustained herself as a prostitute and thief so you have to be willing to take the plunge with her to the less savory side of life. Book takes place in Melbourne Australia but I have to tell you the urban feel could easily have been New York or any major metro. I was moved by the steadfastness her family maintained during her repeated falls from grace. A true testimony to tough love that I hope none of us have to experience. I actually enjoyed this book but I am not sure everyone could. It would almost be easier to read if you thought it was fiction!
hitbooksnotgirlz's review
5.0
This was a dark tale about what an addict must do in order to stay afloat: How to get her hands on the next fix and stay alive. However, there was a gentler side to it. I learned a lot about brothels and what a different experience it is vs. working the streets. It’s seems that there can be a different sort of tenderness in some experiences there: a softness you might not always find elsewhere. Of course it wasn’t all good, it was mundane and awful at the worst of times. But more often than not.. It wasn’t.
I was most enthralled by the prostitution aspect of the story. It was almost easy to forget she was an addict for a while. Just a working girl, experiencing a different kind of life than one might expect.
I was most enthralled by the prostitution aspect of the story. It was almost easy to forget she was an addict for a while. Just a working girl, experiencing a different kind of life than one might expect.
henrymarlene's review
4.0
Just a little read before I submit my last two assignments: not a new book but one I have wanted to read. Kate Holden's memoir is straight to the point. Drug addiction and prostitution and the tangled web between it all. Kate was very matter-of-fact about her addiction and what she did as a prostitute which did not seem to glorify the experiences. She described it within the context of the situation. I only wish there was more detail about Kate's road to redemption, it seemed to be very brief and unimportant.
wearethedepinets's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. The author was never apologetic for her life and didn’t make excuses for her addiction. She was matter of fact and simply told her story.
jacqui_des's review
2.0
I have to say that I was left with very mixed feelings about this book. I found the subject matter somewhat interesting; drug addiction and sex work. However, this was in part due to the fact that I work with a very similar client group in the local area where the book took place. I found [a:Kate Holden|104814|Kate Holden|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]’s writing rather amateurish and the story was by no means unique, nor well told. I also disliked the way Holden glossed over her struggles with drug addictio and the path to recovery and with what seemed like very little concern for what her family went through during that time. However, the most disappointing aspect of the book was the way Holden glamorised her experiences as a sex worker both on the streets of St Kilda and in various Melbourne brothels.
Memorable Quotes
Memorable Quotes
“Nakedness is nakedness. We all wanted comfort.”
cheyenneisreading's review against another edition
5.0
Even though the topic of this novel is harsh and grim, the writing style is so delicate and dreamy that I liked it on that purpose alone. The fact that the story was concise and enjoyable just added to the trance you fall into while reading it.
kschleet's review
2.0
While the story was definitely one to be told, I feel as though the author did so in a very blasé manner. The story didn't carry me through it like other memoirs similar to this one. It was very "cruise controlled" and I didn't find myself having a hard time putting it down. All in all, decent story but could have been more emotional and invested rather than flat and monotone throughout.
millie_burns's review
3.0
At times hard to read.
I found the sequel of this book in an op shop years ago, and finally found this first book on the Kindle daily deal so I had to get it. I definitely don’t regret reading it, but God, was it hard to read at points. A grueling tale of how someone can get sucked into drugs and selling their body. I look forward to reading The Romantic soon and seeing how her life fed after giving up heroin for good.
I found the sequel of this book in an op shop years ago, and finally found this first book on the Kindle daily deal so I had to get it. I definitely don’t regret reading it, but God, was it hard to read at points. A grueling tale of how someone can get sucked into drugs and selling their body. I look forward to reading The Romantic soon and seeing how her life fed after giving up heroin for good.