Books matching: prostitution and addiction
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- #1
Save:'The Royal Family' by William T. Vollmann is a monumental work that delves into the seedy underworld of San Francisco, focusing on the lives of prostitutes, addicts, and outcasts. Through rich and engaging prose, Vollmann paints a vivid picture of a dark and gritty world where characters navigate through depravity, survival, and the complexities of human relationships. The narrative follows a San Francisco private detective, Henry, as he becomes obsessed with finding 'The Queen of the Whores' and immerses himself in the world of the 'royal family', a group of prostitutes with whom he forms deep connections.
Vollmann's writing style in 'The Royal Family' is described as both elevated and rhapsodic, offering a mix of straightforward prose and lyrical poetic imagery that draws readers in from the opening scenes. is praised for its emotional honesty and the way it exposes the fragility and nobility of individuals who are too damaged to fit into mainstream society. Through a sprawling narrative that spans over 700 pages, Vollmann explores themes of love, degradation, survival, and the darker aspects of human nature with a raw and unflinching gaze.
The door closed behind Brady. Tyler continued to sit on the edge of the bed for a moment, listening to his footsteps fade down the hall. He heard a door open and a woman begin yelling in Chinese. Then... - #2
Save:'Dirty Ugly Toy' by K. Webster is a dark and twisted romance that follows the story of Jessica, a drug addict and prostitute, who is propositioned by Braxton to become his toy for six months. Braxton is a man with dark desires who collects broken women and transforms them into his perfect toys. As Jessica's past collides with her present, their tumultuous relationship unfolds, revealing layers of trauma, control, and unexpected emotions. The story is a raw exploration of family, revenge, love, and hope, with sizzling hot scenes and surprising twists that keep readers captivated till the end.
The book is narrated from dual perspectives, providing deep insights into the complex characters of Jessica and Braxton. Their evolving relationship challenges the boundaries of control and submission, leading to moments of vulnerability, growth, and unexpected connections. The writing style is captivating, balancing darkness with humor, backstory, and empathetic character development, making it a compelling read for fans of dark romance and intricate storytelling.
I wobble down Breightmet Street on my last pair of heels and hope my hair looks decent. Not even a half hour ago, I woke up with my underwear around my thighs, face down on the scummy floor of a pub o... - #3
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... - #4
Save:Zoo Station: The Story of Christiane F. is a harrowing account of a young girl's descent into the underground culture of heroin addiction and child prostitution in Berlin during the late 1970s. The book portrays the protagonist's desire for acceptance and love, leading her to take extreme risks in pursuit of these desires. The narrative is raw and unapologetic, shedding light on the dark realities of addiction and the lengths individuals will go to in order to escape their harsh realities. The story is a disturbing yet compelling exploration of the struggles faced by the protagonist and the consequences of her choices.
The student Christiane Vera F. is charged as a legally responsible juvenile with having used regulated narcotic substances continuously after May 20, 1976, without authorization by the Federal Departm... - #5
Save:The novel 'Lullabies for Little Criminals' by Heather O'Neill follows the story of Baby, a young girl growing up in Montreal with her drug-addicted father. The book delves into the harsh realities of Baby's life as she navigates the streets, facing neglect, abuse, and the challenges of adulthood at a tender age. Through poetic language and vivid descriptions, the author portrays Baby's resilience and ability to find glimpses of hope amidst the darkness of her circumstances.
The narrative voice of Baby, a 12-year-old street child, captures the innocence and vulnerability of a young girl caught in a world of sleaziness, despair, and loneliness. The book explores themes of love, survival, and the search for affection, painting a poignant picture of a child trying to find her place in a harsh and unforgiving environment, all while maintaining a sense of authenticity and emotional depth.
RIGHT BEFORE MY TWELFTH BIRTHDAY, my dad, Jules, and I moved into a two-room apartment in a building that we called the Ostrich Hotel. It was the first time I could remember taking a taxicab anywhere.... - #6
Save:'In My Skin' by Kate Holden is a harrowing memoir that delves into the dark world of drug addiction and prostitution. The book follows Kate's descent into heroin addiction and her struggles to fund her habit, eventually leading her to the dangerous path of prostitution. The narrative provides a raw and unflinching look at Kate's experiences, detailing the challenges she faced and the choices she made while navigating through addiction and the sex trade. The writing style is candid, gripping, and graphic, offering a stark portrayal of the realities faced by those caught in the cycle of addiction and prostitution.
My family was simple and close: two parents and a younger sister. We grew up in a nice suburb of Melbourne, in a large and comfortable old house, though the front lawn was a disgrace and the weatherbo... - #7
Save:The Virgin Cure by Ami McKay is a gripping historical fiction novel set in 1870s New York City, following the life of a young girl named Moth who faces extreme poverty, betrayal, and human trafficking. The story delves into the dark underbelly of society at the time, exploring themes of desperation, survival, and the exploitation of innocence. McKay's writing style is poignant and immersive, vividly portraying the harsh realities of Moth's journey as she navigates through the gritty streets and encounters various characters with their own hidden agendas.
Although the peacocks were long gone, the tall iron fence that had been erected around the gardens to keep the birds from escaping still remained. Menacing black spikes ran along the top and bottom of... - #8
Save:Whores for Gloria is a novel that follows Jimmy, a Vietnam vet living in San Francisco's Tenderloin district, who is obsessed with finding Gloria, a woman he claims to be married to. The story delves into Jimmy's delusional quest to reconstruct Gloria by collecting stories and hair from other prostitutes. The book captures the gritty atmosphere of the Tenderloin, blending fiction with true stories gathered from Vollmann's time spent among the prostitutes in the area. The writing style is described as haunting, with Vollmann exploring Jimmy's consciousness and rehashing the prostitutes' stories to reflect his own obsessions.
When everything—EVERYTHING—about life makes you want to grin, and it just gets sunnier and funnier until after a while you can only see the teeth in the smiles and then you feel … —well, not “on the e... - #9
Save:'The Second Girl' by David Swinson follows the story of Frank Marr, a retired detective turned private investigator with a drug addiction. While breaking into a stash house, he rescues a kidnapped teenage girl and gets entangled in a new missing person case involving another girl. Despite his unconventional methods and drug habit, Frank uses his street smarts to uncover leads the police missed, leading him into the dangerous world of drugs and prostitution in Washington, DC. The plot unfolds swiftly, blending humor and intensity while gradually revealing Frank's complex character and backstory through first-person narration.
I’ve been sitting on the run-down two-story row house on Kenyon Street Northwest off and on for eight days. That’s the longest I’ve had to surveil a location, but it’s worth the effort. I know it’ll b... - #10
Save:Tristessa by Jack Kerouac is a short, highly personal, and deeply moving novel that delves into the tragic love story between the narrator and Tristessa, a morphine-addicted prostitute in Mexico City. Kerouac's writing style is described as poetic and free-flowing, with long rhythmic sentences that reflect his deep love for humanity and the Mexican scenery. The book explores themes of suffering, religion, Buddhism, and the dual nature of the characters, all set against the backdrop of poverty, drugs, and prostitution in Mexico City.
The narrative of Tristessa unfolds in two parts, each capturing the narrator's visits to Mexico City and his evolving relationship with Tristessa. The first part, Trembling and Chaste, develops the ambiguous bond between the narrator and Tristessa, while the second part reveals the devastating impact of drug abuse on Tristessa's life. Through introspective storytelling and lyrical descriptions, Kerouac portrays a tale of nobility and ignobility, challenging readers to understand and respond with sympathy to the characters' struggles and desires.
I’M RIDING ALONG with Tristessa in the cab, drunk, with big bottle of Juarez Bourbon whiskey in the till-bag railroad lootbag they’d accused me of holding in railroad 1952—here I am in Mexico City, ra...
