Helpful Score: 7
I read this book probably 10 times as a teenager, and was fascinated by the deviant behavior of the protagonist. It would be interesting to read it again as an adult. Here's a link about the book being an urban legend, rather than an actual diary: http://www.snopes.com/language/literary/askalice.asp
Helpful Score: 5
Originally published in 1971, this book has sold millions of copies. Most editions say on the front cover "A real diary."
From the back of my copy:
"You can't ask Alice anything anymore. But you can do something -- read her diary. Strong, painfully honest, nakedly candid. The actual story of a desperate girl on drugs and on the run who almost made it.
'An extraordinary work... A document of horrifying reality.' The New York Times"
Actually, it's a fake, written by Beatrice Sparks. Read more at Snopes.
Trivia: In the 1973 made-for-TV version, William Shatner starred as the doomed girl's father.
From the back of my copy:
"You can't ask Alice anything anymore. But you can do something -- read her diary. Strong, painfully honest, nakedly candid. The actual story of a desperate girl on drugs and on the run who almost made it.
'An extraordinary work... A document of horrifying reality.' The New York Times"
Actually, it's a fake, written by Beatrice Sparks. Read more at Snopes.
Trivia: In the 1973 made-for-TV version, William Shatner starred as the doomed girl's father.
Helpful Score: 4
This is a great book that will take you into the heart of a teenage girl struggling with her addiction with drugs. I highly recommend it.
Helpful Score: 3
excellent true-life journal of adolescence gone down the wrong trails, a bit dated [late 60s/early70s] but not too much even for todays kids...if you want a scary but heartning anti-drug example, this is reality
Helpful Score: 3
I would only recommend this book to people who know that the world of drugs and the negative things it brings with it. This book is a series of journal entries that a young girl has been keeping as she begins to experiment with drugs. It all started at a party when they played a game called 'Button, Button, Whose Got The Button?' where certain soft drinks are laced with LSD and some are not. The intention of the game is to pick out the people who have recieved a drink that has been laced and the surprise of not knowing who may have them. This girl recieves a laced drink and there after, she begins to experiment more. It goes through her life of experimenting with drugs, selling drugs, running away, and telling herself over and over she will stay drug free only to start again. This is a very serious book on how drugs can affect the lives of many teens.
Helpful Score: 2
This is Alice's diary. Alice is a young girl with a drug addiction.
Helpful Score: 2
As others have said, this is a fictional piece and, in my opinion more propaganda than an interesting memoir. When I read it at the age of 12 it made me curious to experiment with drugs more than it did deter me. I don't recommend it.
Helpful Score: 2
Originally published in 1971, this book has sold millions of copies. Most editions say on the front cover "A real diary."
From the back of my copy:
"You can't ask Alice anything anymore. But you can do something -- read her diary. Strong, painfully honest, nakedly candid. The actual story of a desperate girl on drugs and on the run who almost made it.
'An extraordinary work... A document of horrifying reality.' The New York Times"
Actually, it's a fake, written by Beatrice Sparks. Read more at Snopes.
Trivia: In the 1973 made-for-TV version, William Shatner starred as the doomed girl's father.
From the back of my copy:
"You can't ask Alice anything anymore. But you can do something -- read her diary. Strong, painfully honest, nakedly candid. The actual story of a desperate girl on drugs and on the run who almost made it.
'An extraordinary work... A document of horrifying reality.' The New York Times"
Actually, it's a fake, written by Beatrice Sparks. Read more at Snopes.
Trivia: In the 1973 made-for-TV version, William Shatner starred as the doomed girl's father.
Helpful Score: 2
A teenager writes a journal about her life as she experiments with drugs. An interesting look into how she relates to friends and drugs and how it changes her life.
Helpful Score: 2
It is about a girl on drugs and on the run. Very good book I enjoyed it.
Helpful Score: 1
I don't know what I think of it. In the beginning I liked it, then I hated it, then I thought this would be great for kids to read so they know what happens when you take drugs, and later when you regret you took them. Then I got to the end and hated it again.
I found it quite horrifying. Maybe I was just that sheltered as a kid, but I never came into any situation of "friends" like her's or drugs like that. I found the book seriously scary to think a kid might read it and walk away with an entirely different view about "awesome drug experiences" or something like that.
And I still do not know if this is a true story...!
I found it quite horrifying. Maybe I was just that sheltered as a kid, but I never came into any situation of "friends" like her's or drugs like that. I found the book seriously scary to think a kid might read it and walk away with an entirely different view about "awesome drug experiences" or something like that.
And I still do not know if this is a true story...!
Helpful Score: 1
A good read of a teenagers diary and how she got hooked on drugs and then her spiral downhill no matter how hard she tried to stay away from the drugs. A very good read.
Helpful Score: 1
I read this book when I was a teenager (a long time ago!) and I really loved it. It's a good read.
Helpful Score: 1
This book is by far one of the most powerful and moving books about teenage drug experiences I have ever read. It is as moving as A Million Little Pieces by James Frey and as easy to read as a Dr Seuss novel. The topic is something that we are all familiar with on some level (whether it be simple knowledge or use). As a mom of two young boys, I was moved to tears by the end. To know what my children may one day go through is a powerful motivator to keep them on the right path. Although the book was originally from the 70s, it is still as poignant today as it was when it was originally released. Although it is brokered as a fictional work, it is easy to see how this could be seen as a real diary - Incredible read, whether you are a parent or a teen! 5 stars without hesitation!
Helpful Score: 1
I first read this book when I was 13 years old and I do credit the book with keeping me away from hard drugs. I also had my daughters read the book as well. I just recently re-read the book to see how I would view it as an adult. I still view it as a very enlightening book. Whether the book is a real diary of a 15 year old girl, or a work of fiction is not important here. The book shows what it feels like to be a teenage girl facing the problems all teens face. Its a good book for all ages, but I would encourage parents to have their daughters read it around age 12-13. I don't have any sons so I don't have any idea if this book would be good for them to read. I still highly regard this book 35 years after I first read it.
Helpful Score: 1
Disturbing, but real. This diary follows the demise of a teenage girl, when she enters into the dangerous world of drug abuse. Sometimes hard to read, but very powerful.
Helpful Score: 1
This book was amazingly captivating! I had it read in a matter of a few days and then my husband got interested in it, as I described it to him. I've since passed it along to my niece and many of my employees.
It's amazing to see how someone could so easily slip in to the dark and deceptive life of a druggie. Thank you, Anonymous, for being so diligent in journal keeping!
It's amazing to see how someone could so easily slip in to the dark and deceptive life of a druggie. Thank you, Anonymous, for being so diligent in journal keeping!
Helpful Score: 1
Very, very good. I loved that the format of the book was actually in diary form. This book is moving and very emotional. The ending catches you very offguard as well. I would suggest giving this book a try!
Helpful Score: 1
I read this has a teenager many years ago.After my teenage daughter read it I decided to read it again. Still has engrossing as it was when I was young. a quick read but well worth your time.
Helpful Score: 1
One of my favorites as a teenager. Really turned you off to the idea of Drugs. I just had my 14 year old daughter read it and she enjoyed it as well. Good reading for teanagers.
Helpful Score: 1
Touching, devastating, scary as hell.
Helpful Score: 1
This book was SO EXCELLENT! I loved everything about it especially the reality and how the book throws you into the life of a teenager addicted to drugs. This book is in the form of a diary, which was a plus in my opinion because diaries of peoples lives interest me. Here is a paragraph from the back of the book:
"The harrowing TRUE story of a teenager's descent into the seductive world of DRUGS. A diary so honest you may think you know Alice -or someone like her. Read her diary. ENTER HER WORLD. You'll never be able to forget ALICE.
"The harrowing TRUE story of a teenager's descent into the seductive world of DRUGS. A diary so honest you may think you know Alice -or someone like her. Read her diary. ENTER HER WORLD. You'll never be able to forget ALICE.
this book is really awesome... im 16 and i loved this book.. it gives you great ideas of who you want to be and what roads you want and dont want to take... i highly recommend this book for anyone who has teenagers... let them read it :D bye
This book was great, it's good for children who are getting exposed to drugs.
good to read when you have tweens in the house makes you think
I loved this book in highschool. I love it still today 6-7 years later. It is an amazing book and really opens your eyes to the life of one girl.
As a teenager, this book lost all credibility to me when I found out it was fictional. After reading it believing that Alice was a true person and that this story was real, I was sorely let down to find out it was not a true diary. It instantly went from a chilling chronicle of a real life gone wrong to another cautionary tale trying to scare young teens out of drug use.
If I had gone into this book viewing it as a novel, I can't say I would have liked it. It's okay at best.
If I had gone into this book viewing it as a novel, I can't say I would have liked it. It's okay at best.
Another great book, Alice writes her life down through diary entries, chronologing her struggles through life, from running away, to relationships, living life on the streets, and even experimenting with drugs, again, a great read.
Every teenager should read this book. And every parent of a teenager should read this book. Then they should talk about it.
Timeless classic. It gives a view from a teenager as she heads into a life of drugs and sex.
This book offers a timeless look into the life of teens, and the desire to fit in. This a very good read.
I love this book, I will not give anything away though but I will say it is a must read. Adults and teenagers alike will find this book moving and painfully real. Be warned though this book is not for the young as it contains "adult themes", it deals with drug use.
I remember this from high school..it actually prevented me from 'doing drugs' cause it scared me!!
I read this book as a young teen and it had a profound effect on me. The situations Alice finds herself in terrified me, and I made a promise to myself then that I would never do drugs, and never have. I think it should be a must-read for anyone unaware of the personal dangers of drug use.
i read this when i was younger, and thought it was really good
read ties when i was 12 very powerful and gripping book
I read this book in one afternoon. It is a classic. I enjoy diary/ journal type books and this one fit to a T. So sad. Hard to put down. A MUST read. A true classic.
Great insight on a drug users mind.
Sad story about a young girl who gets on the wrong path through life. Her true diary.
i really enjoyed this book
A warning to teens about drugs.
Basically, this was the "A Million Little Pieces" of the 1970s. Complete fiction and complete garbage.
I thought this book was really good. Every now and then the language seemed a bit odd, but I suppose that's because I wasn't around in the '60s, '70s. In my opinion, it's a good way to teach teens the different forms of drugs. When I read it as a 13-yr-old I didn't know about LSD or dropping acid or any of that, all I really knew about was cocaine and marijuana. So for me, it was a good way to learn about the drugs without being influenced to actually try them out.
I loved this book. There are no words to describe how powerful this book really is. A must read for everyone - teenagers and adults.
Real diary of girls travel through eating disorders and drug use
Even though this book was proven to NOT be a true account, it has remained one of my favorite books.
Read this book long ago in high school and got it for my daughters to read. They very much enjoyed it.
A powerful look into the mind of a teenager that got tangled into drugs. I read it in a day, couldn't put it down.
I read this as a teen, now my daughter read it as a teen for a report. No matter how long ago this book was written, it seems to give an accurate account of drug abuse. That begs the question, we change evolve and things improve or get better, but drugs when abused have the same outcome and travel down that spiraling staircase to nowhere????
A good read for any teen I think. Although this is an extreme case of drug abuse by a young teenager.....it is still worth paying attention to.
A good read for any teen I think. Although this is an extreme case of drug abuse by a young teenager.....it is still worth paying attention to.
I was definitely impacted by this read, and interested in what happened. (Disregarding the drama behind the book and just reading it as a fictional story). It was a quick read and certainly raises some awareness about the dangers of drugs.
I've read this book more than 3 times. The last time being more than 6 years ago, but I still remember it as being one of the most eye-opening, honest books I've had the pelasure of reading. A true/real journal of a teenager growing up and experimenting with many things... amazing.
This was a great book for my daughter.
I just got done reading this book, and enjoyed it very much. It really hit my heart. And I never wanted to ever try drugs, after reading this. I know for a fact I don't want to. It is very sad. I most likely will read it again. But I am disappointed that it is a fake. The author Beatrice Sparks did a good job writing it though. It does seem as if it really was written by a 15 year old drug addicted. They said that High School teachers like for their students to read it, and well if I was a teacher, I would highly recommend it. It is a good example of the slow down fall from being an innocent teen in the late 1960's and becoming the thing you could never imagine you would become. I really do think this is a wonderful book for teenagers to read, and I recommend it for everyone. Even adults.
I don't know how this slipped under my radar for all these years - a very powerful and impactful read.
This book was written in Diary form, which I think was the best way to read it. This girl had gone through so much mixed up with the world on drugs. I don't want to spoil anything but I was so heartbroken at the end of the book....Short quick read, but in my opinion, not to be taken lightly. Great book!
Imagine a diary from a troubled 15 year old girl from the 70s. Then imagine a corporation that stands to lose a lot of money if drugs were legalized. Now imagine that the corporation contracted someone to write the fake diary of a troubled 15 year old girl with the intent to scare the bejesus out of parents who know nothing about illicit drugs. GO ASK ALICE is what that book would be.
While the underlying message may be somewhat relevant to parents that are concerned about their children getting mixed up with the wrong crowd, only a child (or parent) living under a rock would take it seriously. I would highly discourage any parent from allowing their child to read this book. I would instead recommend that they watch REEFER MADNESS so they can at least gain some entertainment value from such dated material.
While the underlying message may be somewhat relevant to parents that are concerned about their children getting mixed up with the wrong crowd, only a child (or parent) living under a rock would take it seriously. I would highly discourage any parent from allowing their child to read this book. I would instead recommend that they watch REEFER MADNESS so they can at least gain some entertainment value from such dated material.
This book is very touching about a girl on the run who...finds herself caught up in drugs. Alice gets caught up in many horrible things along the way, and she almost made it.
I have passed this book to several people especially those not big readers. It is an easy read with lots of on the edge of your seat.
I don't know what to say about this book.
I don't know how I feel about this book.
This book was haunting. It was horrifying. It was sad. It was heartbreaking.
This is basically a handbook for what not to do when you're a teenager. This poor girl. I can't even pretend to imagine what it was like to walk in her shoes. To think that her addiction began with so-called friends drugging her. And once the cycle began she couldn't pull herself out for very long.
And she tried. I believe she tried and desperately wanted to get clean and stay that way. And the way people treated her while she was trying to fly straight... It doesn't surprise me that people could do the things to her they did. People of all ages can be so horrible.
And I'll forever wonder if she slipped, or if someone, once again, pushed her off the wagon without her consent.
I will never truly understand addiction because I have never been--unless you count Pepsi Throwbacks because man was I ever hooked on them! The difference is, when I quit them, I didn't have people trying to force me back into my dependence on them.
This was beautifully sad and I don't thnk I'll ever be able to read it again. It was that kind of novel.
I don't know how I feel about this book.
This book was haunting. It was horrifying. It was sad. It was heartbreaking.
This is basically a handbook for what not to do when you're a teenager. This poor girl. I can't even pretend to imagine what it was like to walk in her shoes. To think that her addiction began with so-called friends drugging her. And once the cycle began she couldn't pull herself out for very long.
And she tried. I believe she tried and desperately wanted to get clean and stay that way. And the way people treated her while she was trying to fly straight... It doesn't surprise me that people could do the things to her they did. People of all ages can be so horrible.
And I'll forever wonder if she slipped, or if someone, once again, pushed her off the wagon without her consent.
I will never truly understand addiction because I have never been--unless you count Pepsi Throwbacks because man was I ever hooked on them! The difference is, when I quit them, I didn't have people trying to force me back into my dependence on them.
This was beautifully sad and I don't thnk I'll ever be able to read it again. It was that kind of novel.
Very interesting book. Not what I thought it would be but still good.
Great book about a girl in the 1960's who is strung out on drugs. I think it is a true story. I read it in the 70's.
Amazing book. It is real life story of a helpless teen girl. Go Ask Alice is one of the best books i have ever had
Every parent of teenagers should read this book!
A true account of a girl no one could help.
I found this a moving and provocative novel. The reader feels as if they know her. You are lying next to her at night while she writes, on the floor next to her after she was unknowingly given drugs, looking at the blurry lights with her. The editor does an amazing job of bringing to life someone whose death was senseless.
I found this a moving and provocative novel. The reader feels as if they know her. You are lying next to her at night while she writes, on the floor next to her after she was unknowingly given drugs, looking at the blurry lights with her. The editor does an amazing job of bringing to life someone whose death was senseless.
Go ask alice-a real diary....This book will make you feel your not alone...and that your life isnt as bad as you think...It will make u cry and maybe angry....but it is an excellent true book!
Even though it's very depressing, when I read this book as a teenager it made me want to do drugs even more. Great book, but I wouldn't recommend it for a young girl.
Originally published in 1971, this book has sold millions of copies. Most editions say on the front cover "A real diary."
From the back of my copy:
"You can't ask Alice anything anymore. But you can do something -- read her diary. Strong, painfully honest, nakedly candid. The actual story of a desperate girl on drugs and on the run who almost made it.
'An extraordinary work... A document of horrifying reality.' The New York Times"
Actually, it's a fake, written by Beatrice Sparks. Read more at Snopes.
Trivia: In the 1973 made-for-TV version, William Shatner starred as the doomed girl's father.
From the back of my copy:
"You can't ask Alice anything anymore. But you can do something -- read her diary. Strong, painfully honest, nakedly candid. The actual story of a desperate girl on drugs and on the run who almost made it.
'An extraordinary work... A document of horrifying reality.' The New York Times"
Actually, it's a fake, written by Beatrice Sparks. Read more at Snopes.
Trivia: In the 1973 made-for-TV version, William Shatner starred as the doomed girl's father.
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