Books matching: addiction and poverty
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Murder in the Bayou: Who Killed the Women Known as the Jeff Davis 8? by Ethan Brown is a concise true crime investigative book focusing on the unsolved murders of eight women in a small town in Louisiana. The author delves into the rampant police corruption in the town and Louisiana as a whole, shedding light on the interconnected lives of the victims and the challenging investigation process. Brown's journalistic style of writing is described as concise, readable, and well-researched, providing a compelling narrative that invites readers to explore the dark realities of these murders.
The book presents a mix of known facts and speculative theories, highlighting the author's dedication to uncovering the truth behind the tragic events. Brown's approach to storytelling unfolds the narrative in a captivating manner, offering insights into the lives of the victims, the corrupt officials in Jennings, and the ongoing investigation, making it a thought-provoking read that raises questions about law enforcement misconduct and societal issues.
On May 20, 2005, Jerry Jackson, a soft-spoken slim African-American retiree with a short salt-and-pepper Afro, prepared to cast a fishing line from a hulking bridge over the Grand Marais Canal on the ...- #2
Save:American Salvage by Bonnie Jo Campbell is a collection of interconnected short stories that provide stark snapshots of rural Michigan, focusing on the lives of working-class individuals struggling with poverty, addiction, and abuse. The stories depict characters who are desperate, damaged, and living on the fringes of society, yet each tale also offers a glimmer of hope or resilience amidst the dark themes. Campbell's writing style is raw, emotional, and unflinching, portraying the harsh realities of life in small-town America with vivid detail and compassion.
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Save:"On the Savage Side" by Tiffany McDaniel is a raw and haunting narrative that delves into the lives of twin sisters, Arcade and Daffodil, growing up in poverty and addiction. The story portrays the emotional, physical, and mental abuse they endure, seeking love and security in a world plagued by neglect and violence. The book weaves a tale of desperation, destruction, and the harsh realities faced by the characters as they navigate through a brutal and unforgiving environment.
The writing style in "On the Savage Side" is described as stunning, eerie, and poetic, capturing the essence of the characters' struggles with addiction, trauma, and societal neglect. The narrative alternates between past and present, portraying a vivid and shocking portrait of generational trauma, violence against women, and the devastating impacts of addiction on individuals and communities.
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Save:'Trampoline: An Illustrated Novel' by Robert Gipe is a poignant and innovative story set in Appalachia, focusing on the life of Dawn Jewell, a flawed but endearing young girl dealing with addiction, poverty, and family struggles. The book captures the essence of life in Appalachia with themes of resilience, courage, and dark humor, showcasing a cast of flawed yet beautiful characters. The writing style is described as insightful, realistic, and hard to put down, providing a look inside the life in eastern Kentucky with vivid descriptions and authentic dialect.
"The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven" by Sherman Alexie is a collection of interconnected short stories set on a Spokane Indian reservation. The stories delve into the lives of Native Americans grappling with poverty, alcoholism, and the clash between their cultural heritage and the modern world. Through a mix of stark realism and fantasy, Alexie portrays the struggles of the characters as they navigate issues of identity, tradition, and substance abuse. The writing style alternates between humor and despair, painting a vivid picture of life on the reservation and the challenges faced by its residents.
JW:The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven is 20!?! Your email sent me scurrying to my signed copy. I looked at the jacket photo and there you are, with the greatest Breakfast Club pro-wrestling...- #6
Save:"Punch Me Up to the Gods" by Brian Broome is a raw and honest memoir that delves into the author's journey as a gay black man, exploring his experiences from childhood to adulthood. Through tender, raw, and painful snapshots of his life, Broome bravely shares how his past shaped him into the person he is today. is structured using lines from Gwendolyn Brooks' poem "We Real Cool" and takes readers in and out of his memories through scenes on a public bus. The author's writing style is described as genius, honest, and vulnerable, with a kind of elegance that is rare in memoirs.
I am standing at a bus stop in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, on the Black end of town. It’s a hot but overcast summer day. To my left is a young man mesmerized by his cell phone. He laughs out loud period... - #7
Save:'Last Exit to Brooklyn' by Hubert Selby Jr. is a raw and brutally honest portrayal of life in the projects of Brooklyn in the 1950s. The book delves into the sordid side of American culture, depicting poverty, prostitution, alcoholism, drugs, and sexual perversion, painting a stark contrast to the wholesome image often associated with that era. Through a series of interconnected short stories, the novel explores the lives of vile low-life criminals, hookers, drag queens, dealers, and addicts, offering a relentless journey into America's underbelly post-WWII. Selby's writing style is described as raw, crude, and dark, capturing the gritty reality of urban life with searing detail and unfiltered honesty.
The characters in 'Last Exit to Brooklyn' are portrayed as deeply flawed and often despicable, engaging in acts of violence, abuse, and degradation. Selby's narrative weaves together these individual stories, showcasing the struggles and dreams of people living on the margins of society in Brooklyn. The book presents a stream of consciousness account of urban life, with each character's experiences adding layers to the overall depiction of a harsh and unforgiving environment. Despite the grim subject matter, the novel is praised for its powerful storytelling and the unapologetic way in which Selby captures the complexities of human nature in extreme circumstances.
For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a... - #8
Save:'The Inheritance' in the 'Rain Wild Chronicles' series by author Robin Hobb is a collection of short stories showcasing the diverse writing styles of the author under her pseudonyms Megan Lindholm and Robin Hobb. The Lindholm stories offer a mix of gritty realism and fantastical elements, while the Hobb stories delve into high fantasy settings within the Realm of the Elderlings world. Readers are taken on a journey through unexpected twists, emotional depth, and thought-provoking themes, making this book a captivating exploration of different genres and storytelling approaches.
My parents both lived through the Great Depression and World War II. My father met my mother when he was stationed near Norwich with the Eighth Air Force. She married him and followed him to the Unite...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Rain Wild Chronicles ) - #9
Save:Narcopolis by Jeet Thayil is a novel set in Bombay in the 1970s, revolving around an opium den that transitions to heroin from Pakistan. The narrative follows a diverse cast of characters, including artists, family men, gangsters, and a eunuch named Dimple, as their lives intertwine amidst the drug-fueled atmosphere. Thayil's writing style is described as dreamily hazy, capturing the essence of being under the influence of drugs, with a nonlinear timeline that adds to the drugged-up atmosphere of the story.
I WAS STRETCHED OUT, the khana empty in the dead hour of the afternoon, when Dimple asked what kind of book I was reading. It’s not a book, I said, it’s a magazine and this is a story about an Indian ... - #10
Save:'No Great Mischief' by Alistair MacLeod is a novel that delves into the experiences of the MacDonald family, spanning generations from their origins in the Highlands of Scotland to their settlement in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. The narrative weaves together tales of tragedy, loyalty, and the impact of historical events on the family, showcasing the bonds that tie them together across time and space. Through vivid imagery and powerful storytelling, MacLeod explores themes of family ties, exile, loss, and the interplay between individual identity and shared history.
The book follows the narrator, Alexander MacDonald, as he reflects on his family's past, revealing the complexities of their relationships and the enduring legacy of the clan Calum Ruadh. Set against the backdrop of Canada's rugged landscapes and historical events, the novel captures the essence of Canadian Scots' struggle for survival, perseverance, and unbreakable family loyalty. MacLeod's writing style, characterized by poetic prose and poignant storytelling, immerses readers in the emotional depth of the MacDonald family saga, making it a compelling exploration of heritage, identity, and the ties that bind us.
On some of the larger farms much of the picking is done by imported workers; they too, often, in family groups. They do not “pick your own” but pick instead for wages to take with them when they leave...
