Customer Reviews

Dopefiend

5 star:		(51)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Whoa. This is truly one DEEEEEEP book. If The Coldest Winter, by Sistah Souljah shows you how the dealers and their families live large (until caught) then this book shows you the effects of using. And I mean down and dirty, in horrifying graphic detail the author tells how a junkie shoots up. What it feels like not to have a fix, how they lie, cheat and steal to get that next fix. I won't lie, this book scared the hell out of me! And anyone who knows somebody who might be even REMOTELY tempted to try that most devastating drug of all, herion, then they should read this book. You'll be afraid to take an asprin!

And I've read a few. I believe dopefiend was his first published book and it feels like it. It's about two middle class kids a couple actually that get involved in drugs (heroin). Donald goines striaghforward style and gritty narrativew fits this story perfectly. And the characters... let me say this I hope i never run even remotely like into Piggy in my lifetime. Goines description of him was enough to make my stomach queasy, let along some of the things he does. Donald goines really had an ear for the street life. He mad it real. So real at times when I read this book I almost felt sick reading it. Goines pulls no punches, in fact some of em doubled me over. (the dogs) Not for the faint of heart. if you are easily offended by drug use, violence and a story that doesn't end happily this isn't the book for you. But if your like me and you enjoy a good story that is not only told well but one that look a things in a in a different and exciting way. You'll like this book. This book isn't uplifting but it does teach a lesson, of sorts street style about what really happens to those who become involved in the street life. Dopefiend is about as raw and gritty as it gets. The story isn't a happy but it definetely is a satisfying read.

I hate reading and I am a college educated man. But this book totally engrossed me. The detail and vividness of Mr. Goines' writing is amazing! Everyone in life thinks they have some kind of insight in the world of a drug addict. Donald takes three main characters and watches their world unfold. You have the drug dealer, the drug addict, and his girlfriend who is the perfect girl and we watch each life evolve. This book gives you a deeper understanding of the individuals many of us despise and become disgusted with. I have a new understanding of a dopefiend and in many ways feel sorry for them. The book was fabulous. It is a must read, and for anyone who doesn't enjoy the wonderful world of Literture get ready to be entrapped in it. Donald, why did you have to go, many of our peers on the edge must pick up the book and use it as a guide for ceasing and dismissing!

Donald Goines is one of my favorite authors of all time. The brotha knows how to bring reality to a novel. I have read all 16 of his books and his biography by Eddie Stone. All of the books were very real, but Dopefiend is the hardest book I have ever read in my life. The first few chapters are harder than any book I have ever read. The book keeps the pressure on and just when you think it can't get any deeper, comes that ending scene where the young woman walks into her friend's (the hooker) room. I would love to see this book made into a movie but unfortunately they would rape it. This is one of those books that is too hard for the big screen. And they would never do that ending scene not in a million years. I had all of his books but these books are meant to be shared and I have lent them all out and never got them back. I will be building up my collection for my soon who is six months old now.

Finally this book should be required reading for so called drug preventative courses.

Does anyone know where to get the Daddy Cool Comic book?

This is the first Donald Goines book I read. Actually, I read this book for my "Introduction to Urban Studies" class for extra credit. In our class, we were reading about the thriving African-American community that once existed in Detroit from around 1880 to the 1920's. "Dopefiend" vividly illustrates what happened in 1960-1970's Detroit as a result of Urban Renewal (UR) and disinvestment in the inner city. Sadly, it was not a trend limited to Detroit. It was a problem that affected inner cities nationwide. I recommend it to anyone (especially sociology, anthropology, psychology, and history majors out there!). Before reading this book, I thought dopefiends were disgusting. I didn't understand how they could do "that" (shoot up) to themselves. "Dopefiend" helped me understand the psychological, emotional, and physical journey that heroin addicts face. This book is fascinating, tragic, and hard to put down. I highly recommend it!

THIS BOOK TOLD THE TRUTH ABOUT REAL JUNKIES. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT A JUNKIE WILL DO TO GET THEIR FIX, READ THIS BOOK AND BELIEVE EVERYTHING! THIS BOOK TOLD THE STORY OF HOW JUNKIES GET TURNED OUT AND WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THEY ARE TURNED OUT! I LIVE IN DETROIT AND I SEE PEOPLE LIKE THIS EVERYDAY!

I read this book when I was about 14 years old. My dad told me he read Donald Goines when he was locked up and he wanted me to read some. I'll always remember this book because after reading it, I knew I would never ever do heroine. Just reading how the addicts live and how it controls their life made me say that I would never even try it or any other drug. I think all young people should read this book just to see how their life could turn out if they use drugs.

I give this book 10 Stars if I could. All of his books are excellent and I would recommend them to everyone who loves drama. It's real life to many people and it has the ability to put you right in the middle of it. This book brings out emotions that you can't get from just reading sometimes. I think that Donald Goines should have movies on all of his literature because they would be hits. And I mean HITS.... I hope this thought reaches a movie director.

After reading Black Girl Lost, I was in a hurry to read more from Goines , who in my opinion wrote more openly than Robert BEck aka Iceberg Slim. His books are so simple in the fact that they tell the story representative of many others but this one is so complex. I read this whole book during a long treacherous day of jury duty and I could do nothing other than think of why people choose to go down this route. halfway through the book its almost explaining how some people lose the will to fight the battle against heroine because its effects are so strong. it made me imagine being under the influence of a drug that made me fear nothing in the whole world except for the empty feeling of not having that drug. its crazy, i had to keep flipping to the cover to look at the picture of that man against the gate because I imagined so many people that I know or have known in his shoes. its so very saddening. the outcome of such acts, even moreso...

This book describes a world that made me feel dirty just for being interested in. I found myself trying to cover the title as I read in public places. There are some scenes that can be absolutley horrid to those that are queasy for instance the way each hit of heroine is described, down to every scab, needle "jerk off", drop of pus and blood shed asscociated with this lifestyle. Please read this book, it will help you understand what you may have seen your family, friends, neighbors or loved ones experience. It is not a after school special by no means but it can be a great call for some tough love.

I've read this book over and over and over again. I'm a recovering heroin addict and when I used to read this book it made me want to get high. How's that for reality?