Drugs: A Novel

(Paperback)

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Description

In author J. R. Helton's hilarious prose, Jake inimitably narrates the ups and downs of being a functional user of marijuana, cocaine, MDMA, alcohol, nicotine, brand name hydrocodone and countless other drugs readily available and commonly partaken of in modern America. Readers follow Jake on car rides with his coke dealer to menace connections in supermarket parking lots, buying prescription opiates from a megacorporate health and beauty clinic, and falling in love with his wife while on a series of mushroom trips through San Antonio and Austin.

Reviews

"J. R. Helton really speaks to mestarkly honest, darkly funny, acutely observant, and captures the tragic absurdity of human life ... [H]es right up there with the
best of them." Robert Crumb

"Helton ... writes with passion, clarity, and fairness."Harvey Pekar, author of American Splendor

"Just when you think theres nothing to new to say about drugs, Drugs marches out whole new ways to fuck up your brain, your life, and basically anyone insane or unlucky enough to cross your path. This is a truly riveting, mind-altering read, not to be missed." Jerry Stahl, author of Permanent Midnight

"Appearances can be deceivingJR Heltons wonderful book is not so much about 'Drugs' as it is about growing up in America as viewed through the prism of our national past-time. Funny and poignant, Helton has delivered a book that would make Mark Twain proudits hilarious, true and subversivea perfect piece of modern American writing." Tony O'Neill author of Down and Out on Murder Mile and Sick City

"For three days straight, I did Drugs. The straightforward matter-of-fact prosereminiscent of William S. Burroughs classic memoir Junkylatched onto my brain and wouldnt let go until the final page." Broken Pencil

Author Bio

J.R. Helton has been writing for thirty years. He has published a number of short stories, as well as the memoirs Below the Line and Man and Beast. A French collection of his work, Au Texas Tu Serais Deja Mort, was published in March 2011 by 13e Note Editions in Paris. He lives in Texas.