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Drugstore Cowboy
by
James Fogle
This rich and compelling story of four traveling junkies who lives revolve around looting drugstores was made into the movie voted best film of 1989 by the National Society of Film critics and is published here for the first time.
Paperback, 224 pages
Published
October 1st 1990
by Delta
(first published 1990)
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The main character of Drugstore Cowboy, Bob, is a junkie who leads a crew that includes "his woman" Dianne in robbing pharmacies. Bob is described in heroic terms; his actions and exploits are narrated with the same shortsighted zeal of a six year old who pulled one over his parents. He is repeatedly called loyal and trustworthy, and his character is lauded for looking out for his crew. But as is any junkie's outlook, the story fails to go beyond a straightforward narrative to express any larger...more
Ultimate junkie novel, & yes, yes, better than the movie. Contains vital fragments of the informal Junkie Code of Honor.
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If you have seen the movie, you got to read this. If you haven't seen the movie--get with it!
Not worth the trouble. At first glance this book seemed interesting however pretty soon into it you realize that the whole purpose seemed to be that the author (a drug addict and con who modeled the main character after himself) just wanted a place to rant about how "pure" junkies are and corrupt the police are. Yes it seems to be a look from the inside and has a fresh voice however it isn't well written, nor is it particularly engaging. I was given this book to read by a friend and after readin...more
A pretty good book considering the author wrote it while incarcerated. I probably would not have picked it up had I not been familiar with the Gus Van Sant film - a great movie by the way.
the story is supposed to be partially autobiographical and it seems authentic. Interesting referecnes to Mickey Spillane, hats on the bed (Frank O'Hara I assume) and an appearance by William S. Burrows. Good story set in Portland Oregon - interesting...
check it out.
the story is supposed to be partially autobiographical and it seems authentic. Interesting referecnes to Mickey Spillane, hats on the bed (Frank O'Hara I assume) and an appearance by William S. Burrows. Good story set in Portland Oregon - interesting...
check it out.
Quite an interesting classic. This story follows the exploits of Bob and Diane. As far as I can tell, this book is set sometime during the late 60's or early 70's. Bob and Diane live for the score. Addicted to pharmaceuticals, they provide for themselves and their "crew" by robbing drugstores in whatever manner is needed. From distracting the pharmacist; to driving their car through a wall to break in... Although I didn't enjoy the story or the poetic-justice-style ending, I can tell that the au...more
A dated but moving portrait of the life of a junkie in the 50's 60's and 70's. Despite the pontificating of the lead character (which is understandable in light of his being modeled on the author) he is, in the end, worthy of sympathy if not pity.
One of my very favorite movies. Scene for scene, the novel is an almost identical experience. Good hard-boiled tone. I read that Fogle got arrested this year for robbing a pharmacy.
Sep 30, 2012
Mary Shanley
added it
I am currently reading, but I love the real-life drug hustle to make it for another day. James Vogle wrote what he knew. He recently died, in prison, for robbing drugstore.
i might have liked it better had there not been about 30 pages missing from my copy. does anyone remember what happened to the neighbor next door that bob set up to be spied on by the cops?
This is really good book.taste of reality.I NOW JAMES FOGLE[JIMMY:],personaly,he is my good freand.He wrote at least 8 more books.
This is written in a style that I really liked. And the idea is certainly interesting. Not just a tale of your typical druggie looking for his fix - but rather a man who fashions himself as a true cowboy, or "hold-up" man, like those who robbed the Wells Fargo wagons. His matter-of-fact outlook on life. And deep belief in luck and ominous signs, it makes for interesting read. Probably also because I saw the movie years ago, with Matt Dillon, I had a hard time not picturing the main character as...more
Harmless story about drugs made into a movie that is better than the book I guess.
Fogel was in jail when he wrote this & its a great book, & story of a misspent youth! The movie wasn't bad either, good cast, nice cameo of the godfather of heroin -Bill Burroughs, at the end.
Helped me understand what I did not understand
Kind of beautiful in places, kind of tedious in places, in dire need of chapter breaks.
My name is Elliott and I read "Drugstore Cowboy." I should have put "Drugstore Cowboy" back on the shelf when I noticed that the back cover quoted critical praise for the movie and not the novel itself. But I didn't. And I didn't stop reading it even when I realized how truly awful it was (about 10 pages in). Now I'll never have that time back. Thanks for letting me share.
Jun 12, 2013
Angela
marked it as to-read
Jun 02, 2013
Dntgiva Fuk
marked it as to-read
May 14, 2013
Jerrica
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May 13, 2013
Amira Lukens
marked it as to-read
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James Fogle was the American author of the autobiographical novel Drugstore Cowboy which became the basis for the film of the same name.
Fogle was in prison at the time of the film's release in 1989. A career criminal with a sixth-grade education, Fogle had been in trouble with the law many times starting in his teens and throughout the rest of his life. On May 27, 2010, Fogle was arrested, along w...more
More about James Fogle...
Fogle was in prison at the time of the film's release in 1989. A career criminal with a sixth-grade education, Fogle had been in trouble with the law many times starting in his teens and throughout the rest of his life. On May 27, 2010, Fogle was arrested, along w...more
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