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grclnntt's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse
Moderate: Ableism, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Rape, and Sexual assault
rebelstorm's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
2/5
Quality of writing: 2
Plot development: 2
Pace: 2
Characters: 2
Enjoyability: 1
Ease of reading: 3
If my own rating system would allow me to give a lower rating, I would... Yes, this was a really quick read but oh my GOD I was SO frustrated.
The main character aka "the diarist" is a really unlikable and dull character.
I can't wrap my head around how people could think this book was actually real?! I'm pretty sure a 14-15 year old don't write like that... Not even in the 70's. I'm also pretty sure that is not how drugs work... Especially weed and LSD. The diarist drinks the LSD spiked coke on July 10... 9 fucking days later she is shooting up Speed. And only then actually tried weed. And the smell of weed makes her relapse into her weed and LSD addiction?
If you want to read an actual memories by an actual teenage addict, read Zoo Station: The Story of Christiane F. it is way better written and has a bigger impact than whatever this was.
Quality of writing: 2
Plot development: 2
Pace: 2
Characters: 2
Enjoyability: 1
Ease of reading: 3
If my own rating system would allow me to give a lower rating, I would... Yes, this was a really quick read but oh my GOD I was SO frustrated.
The main character aka "the diarist" is a really unlikable and dull character.
I can't wrap my head around how people could think this book was actually real?! I'm pretty sure a 14-15 year old don't write like that... Not even in the 70's. I'm also pretty sure that is not how drugs work... Especially weed and LSD. The diarist drinks the LSD spiked coke on July 10... 9 fucking days later she is shooting up Speed. And only then actually tried weed. And the smell of weed makes her relapse into her weed and LSD addiction?
If you want to read an actual memories by an actual teenage addict, read Zoo Station: The Story of Christiane F. it is way better written and has a bigger impact than whatever this was.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Suicide
Minor: Sexual assault
fkshg8465's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Believable as a true story of a real teen's diary in many ways but also as a questionable fantasy life - the kind of thing you might write in a diary to say what you dream about and wish to be true and maybe exaggerate too, but all because you truly believe it all to be true. Sad and compelling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse
Moderate: Rape
_shannanigans_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Drug abuse
Minor: Rape
jennergyy's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Drug use
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
Minor: Death
greatexpectations77's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
This book is wild af. After I learned that it was written as a cautionary religious tale, it made so much more sense because like. I just don't think that a few decades ago, in any random high school, students could just get truly a Target-run grocery list of drugs. Very prodigal son vibes going on. I give the author a bit of credit because she got me to keep reading, but my goodness. I won't be reading her again, but I will be reading the newish book about all of her lies and fables. I see why this was so popular when it came out though - it's literally sex, drugs, and rock and roll. And it was QUITE a maneuver to slip by critics with an anonymous pen name.
*found at a Little Free Library in Vienna(?), VA
*found at a Little Free Library in Vienna(?), VA
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Mental illness, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Rape, and Sexual violence
Definitely read the context surrounding the book, if you're going to dive into this.ninsvrs's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
It is so challenging for me that this book was originally written as a secret diary. I just finished it and I am so moved and sad and filled with emotions and thoughts...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
stbooksmore's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I read this in school (I'm now 35) I loved this book then but when I keep trying to go re-read it it's hard to get into.
This is definitely one I recommend though but I must warn you there should be MANY trigger warnings!
This is definitely one I recommend though but I must warn you there should be MANY trigger warnings!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Body shaming, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol
jessicabarry91's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts
chezler24's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I am currently giving this book 2/5 stars although I probably would have rated it higher when I read it for the first time in middle school. I get why this book was written; however, the execution feels a bit dated and cheesy. This book was written in 1971 - or should I say "diary was found" since we're supposed to be reading this under the assumption that this is a real diary from a real teenager - but the dialogue and pacing just feel off at points even for the target audience being older kids/young adults. The book definitely goes for shock factor with all the terrible things the main character does while on drugs and while maintaining her high, yet it almost borders on unrealistic at points. I think the most egregious thing for me was the epilogue ending that completely undoes any progress that had been made without any hope for rehabilitation or even explanation. Also, the handling of sexual orientation was not great at all. It kept popping up that drugs were the sole reason for anyone to question their sexual orientation and gender identity which is just a wild claim that gets glossed over. (Maybe this was to just hint at how naive the main character was, but since the whole book is pretty much propaganda I kind of doubt that there wasn't an ulterior motive.) I did learn that there is a TV movie adaptation of this book so it will be interesting to see how that holds up in regards to the diary format we've been given.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail