Go Ask Alice

By: Anonymous

Narrated by: Christina Moore

Length: 5 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

Life at 15 isn't easy for a girl if she's shy and hates the way she looks. Each day is heaven or hell, depending on who talks to her, or who doesn't. So when she's finally accepted by a group, she doesn't refuse their party games, even if it means taking LSD. Soon she's taking little pills to wake up and others to go to sleep, and the days begin to blur. Leaving the secure, middle-class circle of her family, she travels into a nightmare realm of hustlers and dealers. Homeless, driven by drug highs and lows, she sometimes tries to regain control over her life. But it's much easier to just get high again.

Based on a 15-year-old's diary, Go Ask Alice is the intimate account of one girl's fatal journey into the world of drug addiction. Poignant and unflinchingly honest, her story is a tragedy that is repeated in towns and cities across the country.

©2006 Lee Smith (P)2006 Recorded Books LLC

Critic reviews

"An extraordinary work....a document of horrifying reality." (The New York Times Book Review)

Enlightening in Many Ways..

This story from the 60's is enlightening in so many ways. The reader is struck almost immediately by the differences in attitude between the young girl in the story and the youth of today. Although the trouble she brought on herself sounds very familiar, the world she lived and would return to in between her binges seemed simpler and oh so much more innocent. During the writer's "good" times, she didn't seem to have as far to go to wholeness. The shattering I see in today's world is much more complex and not as easily remedied. The ending of the book comes as a shock...You are left really wondering if her druggy friends didn't finally do her in with their hatred of her ultimate good choices....I wish I knew....

Intense but important

Any additional comments?

Short, intense, vivid and TRUE story about a young person's life of drug abuse. Wouldn't say I "enjoyed" it as it's a sad story, but I would recommend it if you are interested in addiction issues.

Life of a Teenage Addict...

It is sad to watch the failing self-esteem of a young, female adolencent. So fragile in a world that they cannot control. It seems that being easily influenced by others and falling victim to peer pressures is a logical outcome due to their incessant need for approval and acceptance. Why wouldn't this child fall victim to the substances that take away her pain and suffering, while welcoming her into a peer group where she finally feels she belongs?

I believe that many adolencents with similar characteristics to the main character will travel down similar paths to exploring with alcohol, drugs, and partying. Yet, only the true "addicts" will continue their paths to self-destruction despite all consequences. It seems that there is no real way of knowing whether someone will become an "addict" until they have already traveled too far in their downward spiral.

I recommend this book as both a depressing but realistic look at a very serious problem that our teenage population faces regularly, and as an educational and cautionary tale to our youth. It explores how very fast an addict can travel from experimentation as a desperate attempt to fit in with his/ her peers - to total loss of morals, self-destruction and finally death. Be prepared for a heart felt exploration into the devastation of addiction.

I really love this book

helped me through a similar situation in high school when I had no one to talk to I found this book in the library and it really touched me on a personal level.

Absolutely phenomenal book

genuine feelings and emotions and relatable storyline for teenage kids to discourage them from making negative decisions. life is all about decisions, make good choices!

this was a re read

I read this back in high school before my hardcore drug Addiction.. I'm 6 years sober now now and reading this now sober. There were parts that were very graphic and very highly descripted. No one should have to go through Stuff like that Especially a 15 year old. This is an excellent read I highly suggest it

Shocking

Never have a felt a jolt in my heart so hard. The ending brought me to tears.

Good Story

It was a different type of book. I like that it was raw and told things from a different perspective. It’s not the usual type of book for me.

A tragic and enlightening ride

My son borrowed this book from school and so I got the audio book to follow along. It tugged on so many different heartstrings as an educator, parent, and sibling. I kept hoping all the way to the end.

Flash Back

Reminded me of my flower child/hippy days.
I could relate to almost everything she wrote in her diary.