From the Bookshelf of Diversity in All Forms!…

Opioid, Indiana

Brian Allen Carr

Start date: August 1, 2020

Finish date: August 30, 2020

Discussion: Monthly Bonus Reads

Why we're reading this: August Bonus Read- International Overdose Awareness Day

* Opioid, Indiana by Brian Allen
[close] August Bonus Read- International Overdose Awareness Day

* Opioid, Indiana by Brian Allen

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What Members Thought

Jan 19, 2020 Matthew rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: library, young-adult, 2020, audio, least-favorite, coming-of-age

This might possibly be the most exactly 2.5 star book I have read. Goodreads doesn't allow for half stars, but usually I can figure out easily if I will round up or round down. With this book, that is not quite so easy.

Disclaimer before I go on. My review is 100% without a doubt influenced by the fact that, from the description in the book, I live exactly where this book takes place. I am not saying there are not some truths to how the area is described in the book, but, the author sets up subur This might possibly be the most exactly 2.5 star book I have read. Goodreads doesn't allow for half stars, but usually I can figure out easily if I will round up or round down. With this book, that is not quite so easy.

Disclaimer before I go on. My review is 100% without a doubt influenced by the fact that, from the description in the book, I live exactly where this book takes place. I am not saying there are not some truths to how the area is described in the book, but, the author sets up suburban Indianapolis as an excessively cynical caricature of how it really is. He makes it sound like a total hell hole with nothing but misery, drugs, racism, etc. to be found on every block and every corner. I don't doubt that there may be some people around here who's view of this area is skewed that way, but overall, I don't this it is all that bad. Someone who is not familiar with the area will likely not be distracted by the descriptions. Also, it's okay for the sake of the story, but if you come visit, I hope you don't find it to be quite so awful.

Onward with the review!

First of all, my impression was that the author was trying to write like Sherman Alexie. Not a bad author to try and emulate! I cannot say for sure if this improved my experience or if I felt it did not quite achieve what Alexie has done. I just wanted to point out it was what the writing felt like to me, so if you are familiar with Alexie, you might feel the same.

The main character kind of drove me crazy with his disgruntled ramblings. And, while he is complaining about the environment and the people of Opioid, Indiana, he is making many dumb mistakes himself. I am not sure if we are supposed to sympathize with him, support his plight, or be disgusted with him.

There really is not much of a story. There are a few key settings and plot points, but it doesn't really develop much and nothing is resolved in the end. When I encounter books like this, they are often redeemed by a great resolution that ties it all together. In this case, there was nothing.

At least the book was not very long and the writing was not bad. I think if it had gone on much longer without the story improving, I would have had a tough time finishing it. To start 2020 I have read a lot of depressing stories. Unfortunately, none of them have impressed me much. Because of that, it's been a real reading downer lately.

Final note . . . I guess I will round down to two stars. I just cannot bring it up to 3 because when I try and compare it to other books I have given 3 stars, it just doesn't match up. ...more

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Sep 06, 2020 Mariah Roze rated it liked it

Shelves: diversity-in-all-forms-book-club

I read this book for the Goodreads' Book Club: Diversity in All Forms! If you would like to participate in the discussion here is the link: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I really enjoyed this book in the beginning, but then I felt like it went down hill. There was no real plot and the story jumped all over. I'm not really sure what it was but I stopped "feeling it" halfway through and it took me much longer to finish it.

"During a week-long suspension from school, a teenage transplant ...more

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Mar 07, 2020 Joanne rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I remember reading Catcher in the Rye and thinking what’s up, Holden Caulfield? You actually have a pretty decent life. In Opioid, Indiana, Holden’s voice and philosophical takes are back, and his life troubles are much clearer this time, where clouds hang like exhaled smoke. I really loved this book; took a star off for the day-naming stories, but maybe I need to give it all more thought and add the fifth star later. Best opening paragraph I’ve read in years for setting a scene. Well done, Bria ...more

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