Dopefiend by Donald Goines is a harrowing tale set in 1970's Detroit, depicting the lives of heroin addicts and the dark underworld of drug addiction. The story follows characters like Terry and Teddy who spiral into the depths of addiction, manipulated by a sinister drug dealer named Porky. The author, drawing from his own experiences as a heroin addict, paints a vivid and gritty picture of the desperation, deceit, and degradation that comes with drug dependency. Through graphic imagery and raw storytelling, Goines immerses the reader into the haunting reality of heroin addiction, showcasing the destructive power it holds over its victims.
The narrative delves into the lives of the characters as they struggle with their downward spiral into addiction, showcasing how the drug takes control of their actions and decisions. Goines skillfully portrays the daily existence of junkies, their neediness, betrayal, and the overwhelming shame they experience as they battle their addiction. The book not only delves into the physical and emotional turmoil of addiction but also explores the psychological manipulation and degradation that addicts face at the hands of those who profit from their suffering.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings are high due to graphic depictions of drug use, addiction, violence, and themes of abuse, making it a potentially triggering read.
From The Publisher:
The true black voice of his generation, Donald Goines wrote novels that nailed the harsh realities of the urban experience deep into the psyche of today's hip hop culture, influencing major artists from Jay-Z and 50 Cent to Nas and Ghostface Killah. Dopefiend is his classic descent into the junkie's harrowing nightmare…
Teddy finally got the girl of his dreams. Together, Teddy and Terry filled people with admiration wherever they went. Young, gifted, and black, the future was theirs for the taking. But Teddy had a small little addiction. Then Terry had a taste. Then life took a wrong turn into the darkest, vilest back alleys. Drawing from years of his own addiction to heroin, Goines holds nothing back in this graphic, unflinching tale of lives destroyed by drugs. Each page tells it like it is-the whole truth and nothing but the truth-which keeps you coming back for more.
Praise for Donald Goines and His Novels
"Written from ground zero… the voice of the ghetto itself." -The Village Voice
"He lived by the code of the streets." -New Jersey Voice
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About the Author:
Donald Goines was born in Detroit, Michigan. He joined the U.S. Air Force instead of going into his family's dry cleaning business. Following his service, he entered into a life of drug addiction and crime. He received seven prison sentences, serving a total of over six years. While he was in prison, Goines wrote his first two novels, Dopefiend: The Story of a Black Junkie and Whoreson: The Story of a Ghetto Pimp. Goines was shot to death in 1974.
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