This rich and compelling story of four traveling junkies who lives revolve around looting drugstores was made into the movie voted best film of 1989 by the National Society of Film critics and is published here for the first time.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Fogle's story of four marauding drug addicts who travel through the Pacific Northwest looting narcotics from drugstore pharmacies was the basis for the movie of the same name. Drawing on his own experience, the author, who has spent 35 of his 53 years in prison, has taken a decidedly downbeat topic--drug addiction--and transformed it into a wry, often satirical commentary on the potential for anarchy and aimlessness in the lives of American youth. Bob Hughes is the ringleader of the group, planning elaborate schemes to distract checkout clerks and pharmacists from the treasured--and locked--narcotics drawers behind the prescription counter. In one such incident, Bob has his "old lady" Diane set fire to a section of merchandise while his partner Rick sets off smoke bombs, with Rick's girlfriend Nadine screaming "Fire!" at the top of her lungs. Fogle's description of the thieves' drug use is realistic yet restrained. The dialogue tends to be hokey, with characters venturing into various ungrammatical speech patterns, and there is annoying sermonizing about rotten police, corrupt politicians and virtuous dope fiends. But overall this is an extremely likable, fast-paced, humorously wrought tale of losers living on the edge.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
How many times have you seen a film and then read the book on which the film is based and said to yourself, "God, that film was awful - the book is so much better!"? Rare are the cases where book and film compliment each other and live in harmony. Drugstore Cowboy is one of those rare cases. If you like the film, you will love this book. The lovable junkies, hilarious adventures, and poignant mishaps of Bad Bobby Hughes and cohorts are further fleshed out and even more entertaining in print.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
A Kid's Review
Format:Paperback
Drugstore cowboy is a novel about a crew of traveling junkies. the bands leader is Bob Hughes "one of the cleverest, ringiest, most notorious dope fiend drugstore cowboys on the entire West Coast, including Alska." It is an incredibly real examination of a dope fiends domain. Some how you can't help but fall in love with the charecters. They are portrayed acuratly without being betrayed or praised. James Fogle really knows what he's talking about.
You may have noticed that this is a kids review and may be wondering why it is here seeing how this is certainly not a kids book. I am 12 years old and live in the city so,as you can imagine, i have had some run ins with dope. Drugstore Cowboy had an impact on my life, for better or for worse i can not say, but i am glad i read it because there is nothing more honest out there.
i would recomend this novel to everyone at some point in their lives.
You may have noticed that this is a kids review and may be wondering why it is here seeing how this is certainly not a kids book. I am 12 years old and live in the city so,as you can imagine, i have had some run ins with dope. Drugstore Cowboy had an impact on my life, for better or for worse i can not say, but i am glad i read it because there is nothing more honest out there.
i would recomend this novel to everyone at some point in their lives.
By Patriciadc
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A real look inside criminal culture and how users commit crimes at pharmacies and hospitals to obtain their drugs. I read about the book in a 2012 obituary about the author which is a good source for finding good books.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
I'd say it's worth getting
Entertaining and funny. Comes across as pretty factual, as it should be–since it was written by a user. And the movie itself? I wouldn't bother. Does not hold up these days at all.
Published 1 month ago by Kirk Alex
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you love the film, read the book
For years I resisted reading this book for the same reason I still haven't made it to New York: I was afraid it wouldn't live up to the cinematic version. Read more
Published 11 months ago by WilloWill
4.0 out of 5 stars
Hard To Believe This is Based on a True Story
Ok, so it wasn't as gut-wrenching as something like A Million Little Pieces, but the fact that the author wrote Drugstore Cowboy while he was in prison adds just a little more... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Stephanie Raghavan
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointed...
I was upset at the book, to say the least. The characters were hollow...the story was not even sub-par. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Stacy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Drugstore Cowboy
Entertaining fictionalized account of the real deal: The Drugstore Cowboy. Active at robbing drugstores primarily in the Pacific North West for many years, James Fogle weaves an... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Kathleen Mittge
3.0 out of 5 stars
Ride 'em Cowboy!
No one can accuse James Fogle of not having done his research. The man spent the majority of his adult life behind bars for apparently the exact type of lifestyle that he presents... Read more
Published on September 8, 2006 by Dash Manchette
5.0 out of 5 stars
great read.
great charecter delvelopment, fast pace, exhilerating, amazing voice, interesting plot line, accurate vocabulary, beleiveable story of a genius junky who is neither good nor bad... Read more
Published on August 16, 2006 by selfproclaimedreader
5.0 out of 5 stars
extraordinary
fun and exciting yet compelling and profound, beautifully written with a distinctive style that gives life to all the characters. plot is excellent and moving. Read more
Published on January 21, 1998
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