Take a photo of a barcode or cover
ktblub 's review for:
Requiem for a Dream
by Hubert Selby Jr.
Reading this book was such an incredible journey. This was my second attempt, the first time I tried to read it, I only got 10 pages in before I quit because I hated the writing style (an odd stream of consciousness with little to no punctuation and 70s drug slang). This time I was determined. And really at about 20 pages in, I was completely use to it, and by the middle, I was reading it as easily as any other style. Something about the way it's written, I don't know, makes you feel so engaged, more than any other book I've read. As a reader, I am someone who feels what is being described (for example I always feel in need of a serious nap anytime a character is described as sleepy), but after the book is closed it fades away. But with Requiem, it was much harder to shake those feelings, especially with the scenes of Sara's addiction. I had nightmares during the entire length of reading this that I was on speed. I felt so many things with this book, first joy for the characters, then worry, then pain, then agony. It's not preachy or pretentious (which, to be fair, a book about drug addiction is expected to be)but real. You feel so much for the characters and even, as many have pointed out, begin to see heroin as a character itself. I would recommend this book to anyone.