Dopefiend

by Donald Goines

Book Overview

"Machiavelli was my tutor, Donald Goines my father figure." --Tupac Shakur The true Black voice of his generation, Donald Goines wrote novels that nailed the harsh realities of the urban experience... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0870679953
• ISBN13: 9780870679957
• Release Date: June 2000
• Publisher: Holloway House Publishing Company
• Length: 258 Pages
• Weight: 0.39 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.3" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

An Adventurous Reader!

I've lived around these type of people and often tried to avoid reading about this because its always scared me! But, at the same time, the stories make for a good reading. I had never heard of this author because I read very few novels, so I decided to give it a shot. Unbelievable!A

The final scene is the deepest experience I have ever had in a book.

Donald Goines is one of my favorite authors of all time. The brotha knows how to bring reality to a novel. I have read all 16 of his books and his biography by Eddie Stone. All of the books were very real, but Dopefiend is the hardest book I have ever read in my life. The first few chapters are harder than any book I have ever read. The book keeps the pressure on and just when you think it can't get any deeper, comes that ending scene where the young woman walks into her friend's (the hooker) room. I would love to see this book made into a movie but unfortunately they would rape it. This is one of those books that is too hard for the big screen. And they would never do that ending scene not in a million years. I had all of his books but these books are meant to be shared and I have lent them all out and never got them back. I will be building up my collection for my soon who is six months old now. Finally this book should be required reading for so called drug preventative courses. Does anyone know where to get the Daddy Cool Comic book?

Scary

Whoa. This is truly one DEEEEEEP book. If The Coldest Winter, by Sistah Souljah shows you how the dealers and their families live large (until caught) then this book shows you the effects of using. And I mean down and dirty, in horrifying graphic detail the author tells how a junkie shoots up. What it feels like not to have a fix, how they lie, cheat and steal to get that next fix. I won't lie, this book scared the hell out of me! And anyone who knows somebody who might be even REMOTELY tempted to try that most devastating drug of all, herion, then they should read this book. You'll be afraid to take an asprin!

Raw, Gritty almost sickening and Donald Goines best book.

And I've read a few. I believe dopefiend was his first published book and it feels like it. It's about two middle class kids a couple actually that get involved in drugs (heroin). Donald goines striaghforward style and gritty narrativew fits this story perfectly. And the characters... let me say this I hope i never run even remotely like into Piggy in my lifetime. Goines description of him was enough to make my stomach queasy, let along some of the things he does. Donald goines really had an ear for the street life. He mad it real. So real at times when I read this book I almost felt sick reading it. Goines pulls no punches, in fact some of em doubled me over. (the dogs) Not for the faint of heart. if you are easily offended by drug use, violence and a story that doesn't end happily this isn't the book for you. But if your like me and you enjoy a good story that is not only told well but one that look a things in a in a different and exciting way. You'll like this book. This book isn't uplifting but it does teach a lesson, of sorts street style about what really happens to those who become involved in the street life. Dopefiend is about as raw and gritty as it gets. The story isn't a happy but it definetely is a satisfying read.

Intense

I hate reading and I am a college educated man. But this book totally engrossed me. The detail and vividness of Mr. Goines' writing is amazing! Everyone in life thinks they have some kind of insight in the world of a drug addict. Donald takes three main characters and watches their world unfold. You have the drug dealer, the drug addict, and his girlfriend who is the perfect girl and we watch each life evolve. This book gives you a deeper understanding of the individuals many of us despise and become disgusted with. I have a new understanding of a dopefiend and in many ways feel sorry for them. The book was fabulous. It is a must read, and for anyone who doesn't enjoy the wonderful world of Literture get ready to be entrapped in it. Donald, why did you have to go, many of our peers on the edge must pick up the book and use it as a guide for ceasing and dismissing!

THE GREATEST BOOK BY THE GREATEST AUTHOR

I give this book 10 Stars if I could. All of his books are excellent and I would recommend them to everyone who loves drama. It's real life to many people and it has the ability to put you right in the middle of it. This book brings out emotions that you can't get from just reading sometimes. I think that Donald Goines should have movies on all of his literature because they would be hits. And I mean HITS.... I hope this thought reaches a movie director.