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Angel Dust Blues
Feeling increasingly alienated from his successful and affluent parents, a 17-year-old boy becomes involved in drug dealing.
- GenresYoung AdultFiction
203 pages, Hardcover
First published September 25, 1979
7 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Todd Strasser
224 books799 followersTodd Strasser is an American author of more than 130 novels for adults, young-adults, and middle graders.
His most recent novel is Summer of '69
Booklist review: "Drugs, sex, and rock 'n' roll, those hallmarks of the summer of 1969, are all here, but there's so much more. In this loosely autobiographical novel, Strasser introduces 18-year-old Lucas, who is bright and sensitive but also a screw up…. The picture painted of the Woodstock music festival shows the dark side of peace and love, and the prevalence of drugs is on almost every page…The best part of the book, however, is the one that transcends eras: Lucas' introspection as he contemplates his place in the world."
Kirkus review: "Strasser perfectly captures the golden haze of youth and life on the cusp of adulthood. Readers fascinated with this time period will find much to enjoy... Vietnam, Woodstock, road trips, and acid trips: a sweetly bittersweet, surprising, even melancholy bildungsroman set against a world in flux. Groovy, man."
His most recent young adult novel is Price of Duty:
2018 New York Public Library Best Book for Teens
“Compact and suspenseful, the novel raises important questions about war.” – Kirkus
“This thought-provoking book is both welcome and imperative.” – Booklist * (starred review).
"Rather than attempting to sway the reader, it offers awareness." - VOYA
“Tightly wound and compelling ... appropriate for an older middle school and high school audience. VERDICT: Highly recommended.” – School Library Journal
Bio: Todd was born in New York City. When he was young his parents moved to Roslyn Heights, New York (Long Island). Todd went to the I.U. Willets Elementary school and then attended the Wheatley School for junior high and high school. His best subjects were math and science. He also liked to read, but he had trouble with spelling and grammar, and didn't do well in English. His favorite sports were tennis, skiing and fishing. Todd went to college at New York University for a few years, and then dropped out. He lived on a commune, then lived in Europe where he was a street musician.
All the while, Todd wrote songs and poems and lots of letters to his friends back home. Finally he decided to try being a writer. He returned to the United States and went to Beloit College where he studied literature and writing.
After college, Todd worked at the Middletown Times Herald-Record newspaper in Middletown, New York, and later at Compton Advertising in New York City. In 1978, Todd sold his first novel, Angel Dust Blues. He used the money to start the Dr. Wing Tip Shoo fortune cookie company. For the next 12 years, Todd sold more fortune cookies than books.
Todd now divides his time between writing books and speaking at schools and conferences. When he's at home, he likes to spend time with his children and dog, Cooper. He still likes to play tennis and ski, but his favorite new sport is surfing.
His most recent novel is Summer of '69
Booklist review: "Drugs, sex, and rock 'n' roll, those hallmarks of the summer of 1969, are all here, but there's so much more. In this loosely autobiographical novel, Strasser introduces 18-year-old Lucas, who is bright and sensitive but also a screw up…. The picture painted of the Woodstock music festival shows the dark side of peace and love, and the prevalence of drugs is on almost every page…The best part of the book, however, is the one that transcends eras: Lucas' introspection as he contemplates his place in the world."
Kirkus review: "Strasser perfectly captures the golden haze of youth and life on the cusp of adulthood. Readers fascinated with this time period will find much to enjoy... Vietnam, Woodstock, road trips, and acid trips: a sweetly bittersweet, surprising, even melancholy bildungsroman set against a world in flux. Groovy, man."
His most recent young adult novel is Price of Duty:
2018 New York Public Library Best Book for Teens
“Compact and suspenseful, the novel raises important questions about war.” – Kirkus
“This thought-provoking book is both welcome and imperative.” – Booklist * (starred review).
"Rather than attempting to sway the reader, it offers awareness." - VOYA
“Tightly wound and compelling ... appropriate for an older middle school and high school audience. VERDICT: Highly recommended.” – School Library Journal
Bio: Todd was born in New York City. When he was young his parents moved to Roslyn Heights, New York (Long Island). Todd went to the I.U. Willets Elementary school and then attended the Wheatley School for junior high and high school. His best subjects were math and science. He also liked to read, but he had trouble with spelling and grammar, and didn't do well in English. His favorite sports were tennis, skiing and fishing. Todd went to college at New York University for a few years, and then dropped out. He lived on a commune, then lived in Europe where he was a street musician.
All the while, Todd wrote songs and poems and lots of letters to his friends back home. Finally he decided to try being a writer. He returned to the United States and went to Beloit College where he studied literature and writing.
After college, Todd worked at the Middletown Times Herald-Record newspaper in Middletown, New York, and later at Compton Advertising in New York City. In 1978, Todd sold his first novel, Angel Dust Blues. He used the money to start the Dr. Wing Tip Shoo fortune cookie company. For the next 12 years, Todd sold more fortune cookies than books.
Todd now divides his time between writing books and speaking at schools and conferences. When he's at home, he likes to spend time with his children and dog, Cooper. He still likes to play tennis and ski, but his favorite new sport is surfing.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 13, 2017
1st Read: May 9, 1988 - May 23, 1988 (**** rating)
A friend had persuaded me to read this book from our high school library in the late '80's. He and I were the "Spicoli's" of our generation in a small town, so I signed the book out of the library and read it.
I related a lot to the story for the most part, though I've never tried PCP. No intentions either! I was seventeen when I read it and the same age as some of the character's in the story.
The most disappointing part of the story for me was the ending! Why? The last page is torn out of the book!!!! Never lost any sleep over it. Probably rolled up a fat boy and passed it around with my friends. Never did return that book back to the library. Overdue fee's must be enormous!
FINAL READ: January 22, 2017 (** rating)
This second time of reading "Angel Dust Blues", I didn't really get much out of it. I saw it for what it was: teenage angst and rebellion, a brief look into romance and the troubles caused by getting into harder drugs and the friends who come and go in our lives.
I saw on Amazon that a brand new copy of this book has an asking price of $999.11! That is quite outrageous if you ask me. I did also look for this on google books just so I could read the final two pages of it, though, none were available.
A friend had persuaded me to read this book from our high school library in the late '80's. He and I were the "Spicoli's" of our generation in a small town, so I signed the book out of the library and read it.
I related a lot to the story for the most part, though I've never tried PCP. No intentions either! I was seventeen when I read it and the same age as some of the character's in the story.
The most disappointing part of the story for me was the ending! Why? The last page is torn out of the book!!!! Never lost any sleep over it. Probably rolled up a fat boy and passed it around with my friends. Never did return that book back to the library. Overdue fee's must be enormous!
FINAL READ: January 22, 2017 (** rating)
This second time of reading "Angel Dust Blues", I didn't really get much out of it. I saw it for what it was: teenage angst and rebellion, a brief look into romance and the troubles caused by getting into harder drugs and the friends who come and go in our lives.
I saw on Amazon that a brand new copy of this book has an asking price of $999.11! That is quite outrageous if you ask me. I did also look for this on google books just so I could read the final two pages of it, though, none were available.
June 5, 2009
This is a stunning, yet sympathetic look at teenage druge use, the temptations and road to remdemption. Heart-breaking and yet with a definite optimism as well. If you can find it, it's worth the money and the read.
Read
August 5, 2011I was actually assigned this book in junior high, NO LIE. It was so terrible.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews