GNBraun led a life of addiction and slow decay. Drugs, crime and ennui pervaded every part of his day-to-day alienation. He dragged his way out of the pit without resorting to God or alcohol or any of the other crutches people commonly use. Here is his story. Pray your children don't make the same mistakes...
Hammered: Memoir of an Addict
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More About the Author
G.N. Braun was raised in Melbourne's gritty Western Suburbs. He is a trained nurse, and holds a Cert. IV in Professional Writing and Editing. He is currently studying for a Dip. Arts (Professional Writing and Editing). He writes fiction untied to any genre, and is the author of 'Boneyard Smack', 'Bubba wants YOU', 'Insurrection' (all available as free downloads from Legumeman Books) and 'Santa Akbar!' (published in Festive Fear: Global Edition, out through Tasmaniac Publications in Australia). He has a short story--'Autumn as Metaphor'--in the charity anthology Horror For Good, as well as numerous articles published in newspapers. He is the current president of the Australian Horror Writers Association, as well as the past director of the Australian Shadows Awards. His memoir, Hammered, was released in early 2012 by Legumeman Books. He is the owner of Cohesion Editing and Proofreading.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Ian Irvine
Format:Kindle Edition
Hammered: Memoirs of an Addict is written in a straightforward, almost novelistic style (the term these days is 'creative non-fiction') that neither romanticises/glorifies the world described nor moralises simplistically about it. The book spares us no punches as it explores the author's long-term addiction to a range of drugs including speed and heroin. The narrative voice is even and understated with very little 'telling' (read: 'extraneous moralising after the event') as Braun lures us into the strange twilight world that is Melbourne's underground drug culture - though this could be any major city on earth.
Braun builds our attachment to (and empathy for) the narrator via devices often used by fiction writers before proceeding to test that attachment/empathy as the narrator descends during his late teenage years into addiction and petty crime. Moral ambiguity abounds adding to the central drama and drawing us further into the text - provoking emotional identification at every turn.
The Central Victorian launch of Hammered (which I was lucky enough to attend)culminated in a Q & A session with the author in which he spoke about his wish that the book might help better inform not only those in the grips of life-threatening addictions but also their loved ones who are often in despair at the self-destructiveness often accompanying such conditions. 'If there is one thing I'd like loved ones to take from the book it's the message that you should never give up on a family member or friend going through these kinds of experiences ... no matter how far gone he or she may appear to be ..'
Braun's existential starkness reveals a deep humanity as well as a profound fascination with the puzzle that is humanity in extremis. This book has after-resonance - highly recommended!
Braun builds our attachment to (and empathy for) the narrator via devices often used by fiction writers before proceeding to test that attachment/empathy as the narrator descends during his late teenage years into addiction and petty crime. Moral ambiguity abounds adding to the central drama and drawing us further into the text - provoking emotional identification at every turn.
The Central Victorian launch of Hammered (which I was lucky enough to attend)culminated in a Q & A session with the author in which he spoke about his wish that the book might help better inform not only those in the grips of life-threatening addictions but also their loved ones who are often in despair at the self-destructiveness often accompanying such conditions. 'If there is one thing I'd like loved ones to take from the book it's the message that you should never give up on a family member or friend going through these kinds of experiences ... no matter how far gone he or she may appear to be ..'
Braun's existential starkness reveals a deep humanity as well as a profound fascination with the puzzle that is humanity in extremis. This book has after-resonance - highly recommended!
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Brokensea
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Braun's story is brutal, honest and disturbing. It's the kind of frank account of a life derailed by so many factors you wonder if he had any choice but to become a drug addict. This is not a book you read for entertainment. You read it to remind yourself that maybe the choices you made in your own life aren't so bad.
Hammered differs from other great Junkie memoirs like William S. Burrough's "Junkie" or "Naked Lunch" in that Braun writes with a clear mind and a carefully recorded memory of what it is like to be dragged through life by a needle. The narrative style is close to Burroughs though; that easy almost deadpan recounting of just how horrific and all consuming addiction can be. Overall it is a grim manual on how to survive a life where nothing matters but the next fix.
I give it 4 stars for the clear, compelling, and utterly gripping story and a 5th star because the honesty of it left me shaken.
Hammered is the memoir that should be read by everyone.
Hammered differs from other great Junkie memoirs like William S. Burrough's "Junkie" or "Naked Lunch" in that Braun writes with a clear mind and a carefully recorded memory of what it is like to be dragged through life by a needle. The narrative style is close to Burroughs though; that easy almost deadpan recounting of just how horrific and all consuming addiction can be. Overall it is a grim manual on how to survive a life where nothing matters but the next fix.
I give it 4 stars for the clear, compelling, and utterly gripping story and a 5th star because the honesty of it left me shaken.
Hammered is the memoir that should be read by everyone.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Jacey Ray
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
G.N. Braun's account of drug addiction is a poignant work that looks at how easy it is to spiral out of control. Its a real life account that doesn't hold back. Once you start reading its hard to put down again. It also gives insight into the drug/dealer culture of the 90's & 00's in Melbourne. I highly recommend this read.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
B-
It was a fast read, and although it wasn't life changing it certainly is worth the read to better understand addiction.
Published 1 month ago by Tina
3.0 out of 5 stars
Another kid gone bad
Pretty good read. Finished in a night so not a long book. If reading over and over about a messed up kid getting from his mom and dad past the age of 40 is not your cup of tea may... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Saaben
4.0 out of 5 stars
Realistic Picture of Addiction
I appreciate any addict brave enough to share his story. I am always grateful to hear about the recovery phase of their lives as well. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Jhagen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Addictive
It's very hard to say I `liked' Hammered. There isn't a lot to like about the abuse of a nine year old boy - by a person put in charge of young children - whose role it is to... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Judith Thomas
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gripping, honest, interesting - do yourself a favour and buy this book
I've read this book, and I'd recommend it to anyone. I bought it as an eBook and it was a total bargain for the quality of the read. Read more
Published 2 months ago by miska81
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is Real
I write horror, but the darkness and terrors I experience are of my mind. But Braun has lived real horrors - the crime, the degradation and the withdrawals, the continual need for... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Greig Beck
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Honest and Well-Written Read
This book is so well-written, raw, and honest. I found myself feeling like I couldn't possibly put it down until I read the next line, the next page, the next chapter. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Karen Kennedy Fink
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Australian Trainspotting
Hammered is an extraordinary book, possibly due to its very ordinariness, if that makes any sense whatsoever. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Martin
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Nitty Gritty True Account:
Hammered: Memoir of an Addict is about a man at his weakest and worst. Yet in this honest peice of writing, becomes a man who takes control over his life. Read more
Published 6 months ago by E.J.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A man to be admired
I do not usually write reviews on books bought as I believe opinions vary with personal life experiences, however... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Veronica
