Trine’s answer to “is it a real or fake story?” > Likes and Comments
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Having read this book many years ago, I came back here from the author's profile, just now understanding that it was likely a figment of her sordid imagination.
But as you say, it doesn't matter. This book had a profound impact on me, and I still remember it today, because the story is believable and relatable – if you're in certain circumstances, as I happened to be.
The only reason this question is being asked is because it was originally marketed as a true story, and it so happens that it wasn't. If the story had been written as fiction, it would still have had the same impact.
That it had to lie about itself, posing as non-fiction, to sell it's message is pretty telling in and of itself.
I don’t doubt that this book has helped people in the past, however this book is not just any fake story: it is also sexist, homophobic, transphobic, and ableist. Given all this, I don’t think respected is the right choice of word. This book is old and it shows. I think it’s time that we move on. There are many better resources about drug addiction than this book.
@Helen Often, those who have issues with themselves, will lash out at others. Alice is troubled and she lashes out. Through the eyes of 2021, this book is indeed all the things you wrote. But it is also more than that, which you failed to mention. This book is old, but not necessarily outdated. In the cannon of books about drug addiction and teen troubles, it can hold its own, just like newer stories. "Respected" might not qualify in your idea of wokeness, but thankfully we don't have to agree.
@Trine Do you believe that a book that is this phobic can reach the current youth? All its little moments of misogyny and homophobia add up, creating an alienating read to anyone aware of how harmful these ideas can be. What I meant to say the first time is that there are other books on this topic that do not come with these harmful subplots. I think that we should focus on those rather than trying to uphold a book that has outlived it's usefulness.
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Having read this book many years ago, I came back here from the author's profile, just now understanding that it was likely a figment of her sordid imagination.But as you say, it doesn't matter. This book had a profound impact on me, and I still remember it today, because the story is believable and relatable – if you're in certain circumstances, as I happened to be.
The only reason this question is being asked is because it was originally marketed as a true story, and it so happens that it wasn't. If the story had been written as fiction, it would still have had the same impact.
That it had to lie about itself, posing as non-fiction, to sell it's message is pretty telling in and of itself.
I don’t doubt that this book has helped people in the past, however this book is not just any fake story: it is also sexist, homophobic, transphobic, and ableist. Given all this, I don’t think respected is the right choice of word. This book is old and it shows. I think it’s time that we move on. There are many better resources about drug addiction than this book.
@Helen Often, those who have issues with themselves, will lash out at others. Alice is troubled and she lashes out. Through the eyes of 2021, this book is indeed all the things you wrote. But it is also more than that, which you failed to mention. This book is old, but not necessarily outdated. In the cannon of books about drug addiction and teen troubles, it can hold its own, just like newer stories. "Respected" might not qualify in your idea of wokeness, but thankfully we don't have to agree.
@Trine Do you believe that a book that is this phobic can reach the current youth? All its little moments of misogyny and homophobia add up, creating an alienating read to anyone aware of how harmful these ideas can be. What I meant to say the first time is that there are other books on this topic that do not come with these harmful subplots. I think that we should focus on those rather than trying to uphold a book that has outlived it's usefulness.
I agree with you ... fiction or nonfiction, it doesn't matter. The issues are the same. And if the book has helped others as it did you, more power to it, no matter what genre it belongs in.
Blessings to you.