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brennacummings's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 ⭐️
this book is unique to most books I’ve read. the authors comedic relief from the hell that is war and addiction is both refreshing and infuriating. by the end of the book I’d come to the conclusion (which has been stated by the narrator himself) that this dude SUCKS. but I undoubtedly loved this cocky-nihilistic-selfless thief-mildly misogynistic-druggies take on life.
he gets fucked over, he fucks other people over but hey, what’s the big deal? not worth getting your panties in a twist. in conclusion, the narrator was a massive dickhead and the plot was mediocre but I was here for it.
this book is unique to most books I’ve read. the authors comedic relief from the hell that is war and addiction is both refreshing and infuriating. by the end of the book I’d come to the conclusion (which has been stated by the narrator himself) that this dude SUCKS. but I undoubtedly loved this cocky-nihilistic-selfless thief-mildly misogynistic-druggies take on life.
he gets fucked over, he fucks other people over but hey, what’s the big deal? not worth getting your panties in a twist. in conclusion, the narrator was a massive dickhead and the plot was mediocre but I was here for it.
meirastav's review against another edition
The US military is too depressing for me even when written about with nuance. Also the main character was whiney and blamed all of his bad decisions and misfortune on his girlfriend. He could have simply moved with her he did NOT have to join the army ..
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Gun violence
hicklit's review against another edition
4.0
Extremely raw, unforgiving to dogs. It became humorous how much I had to whisper to myself it wasn't true, or at least this story was far removed from the times, as well as me. There were moments where it provided solace in comparison to the times of corona and other instances where it just added shit to the already heightened pile. I appreciated the brutality with hints of softness and after reading, felt like I'd accomplished an epic feat, because of the sensitivity of the subject matter - like anyone who reads this deserves an award. I think that pays homage to the plop effect of seriously being dropped right into the mind and lifestyle of an addict during the opioid crisis. Every thought was laced to the pinnacle of release through using. Tough read, really happy I read it, glad to be on the other side. The comic relief was sheer bliss. Also so lovely how soft and conscious of his addiction he was able to remain throughout it all. Begs the question of are most addicts actually fully gone consciously? Could've just been him but he danced along the grey line of duality in a pretty pronounced way.
_zhen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Dark, insightful in a scary way
suzyh5317's review against another edition
sad
fast-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
1.0
danaegolding's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-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
3.0
ttodd86's review against another edition
4.0
This is a difficult book to review. It is designated as work of fiction and, from that perspective, the story seemed to run a bit long. The opening lets you know where it is headed. The interactions with the various drug dealers and others, especially a bit long, tend to become a bit monotonous. This could obviously be intentional, reflecting the monotony and deterioration of the characters.
Recognizing that Walker's book, however, is likely at least semi-autobiographical, brings a different perspective and probably a more accurate lens through which to view the book. A think a biography would have made for a more powerful narrative and wish Walker would have taken that route. More than a generation of Americans, particularly those of little means, are being taken in by the American war machine and then vomited back out into the tragedy of our national opioid epidemic. We urgently need to understand this.
Recognizing that Walker's book, however, is likely at least semi-autobiographical, brings a different perspective and probably a more accurate lens through which to view the book. A think a biography would have made for a more powerful narrative and wish Walker would have taken that route. More than a generation of Americans, particularly those of little means, are being taken in by the American war machine and then vomited back out into the tragedy of our national opioid epidemic. We urgently need to understand this.
puresingui's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-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
2.5
dbess's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
nickscoby's review against another edition
4.0
"Because you don't give a fuck."
"Because I don't give a fuck."
This book appeals to the side of me that loves The Departed and the me who thinks that The Godfather I & II are the greatest movies ever made. No pun intended, but I straight up binged this book in a matter of days and I don't know exactly why. I remember seeing its anachronistic cover in the local library and I was intrigued. Cherry? What's that mean? And why is it on the Hot Off The Press list? I skimmed the back cover and was confused why a book about drug addiction would be so popular in 2019. Isn't that kind of 70s? And isn't that not PC?
Well, I was right: the book feels like a throwback but also very fresh. And the subject matter and language are not at all politically correct. The themes are violent and misogynistic and ultimately nihilistic. And yet: I could not put it down. I know some people complain about the repetition but that didn't bother me because I figured that's the point, you know? War is stupid and boring and horrific. People do dumb things while under stressful situations. Similarly, drug addiction is no walk in the park. It appears that Walker does an amazing job capturing addictive lifestyles.
I'm still meditating on the ending though. Part of me thinks it's just downright brilliant. I haven't decided yet.
"Because I don't give a fuck."
This book appeals to the side of me that loves The Departed and the me who thinks that The Godfather I & II are the greatest movies ever made. No pun intended, but I straight up binged this book in a matter of days and I don't know exactly why. I remember seeing its anachronistic cover in the local library and I was intrigued. Cherry? What's that mean? And why is it on the Hot Off The Press list? I skimmed the back cover and was confused why a book about drug addiction would be so popular in 2019. Isn't that kind of 70s? And isn't that not PC?
Well, I was right: the book feels like a throwback but also very fresh. And the subject matter and language are not at all politically correct. The themes are violent and misogynistic and ultimately nihilistic. And yet: I could not put it down. I know some people complain about the repetition but that didn't bother me because I figured that's the point, you know? War is stupid and boring and horrific. People do dumb things while under stressful situations. Similarly, drug addiction is no walk in the park. It appears that Walker does an amazing job capturing addictive lifestyles.
I'm still meditating on the ending though. Part of me thinks it's just downright brilliant. I haven't decided yet.