Go Ask Alice is an honest portrayal of the life of a drug addict. Originally published in 1971, the book provides an empathetic description of one 15-year-old girl’s descent into a life of drugs that still resonates in today’s teen culture. The book’s strength lies in the breadth of the first-person account, from her early days as an innocent youth who’s main worries were popularity and image to her life on the street, where the only thing she worried about was where she would get her next fix. It also details her difficult, uphill battle back to sobriety.

This isn’t a fairytale story about the heroine overcoming one obstacle to triumph in the end. Although the book is fictional, Go Ask Alice’s heroine faces real problems as she falters, regresses and constantly struggles against her problems.

The book is great for showcasing the allure of drugs, not simply the horrible consequences. In one passage, the heroine says: "I don’t know why I shouldn’t use drugs, because they’re wild and they’re beautiful and they’re wonderful, but I know I shouldn’t …"(1) And even when she gets clean, she admits, "It’s great and groovie going on trips; I will never be able to say it isn’t. It’s exciting and colorful and dangerous, but it isn’t worth it!"(2) By example, she shows us that drugs have a seductive pull and are not simply some distant monster to be feared.

Another strength of this novel is that it verbalizes feelings that most teens experience. For example, Alice states, "I don’t need the sleep as much as I need the escape. It’s a wonderful way to escape;"(3) "If only parents would listen! If only they would let us talk instead of forever and eternally continuously harping and preaching and nagging …;"(4) "Adolescents have a very rocky insecure time. Grown-ups treat them like children and yet expect them to act like adults;"(5) and even, "I don’t know why I’ve acted like such an ass when I’ve always had it so good."(6) Her insecurities and real emotions make it easy for any reader, especially a teenager, to empathize with her. She highlights the dangers of life on drugs without preaching. This is a feat that many parents and teachers find hard to accomplish.

The one caution for Go Ask Alice is that the book is graphic in detail. It includes descriptions of her sexual experiences and the sensations of each drug, and her off-balance ramblings while on different drugs. This is not appropriate for young readers.

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(1) Anonymous. Go Ask Alice. New York: Simon Pulse, 2006. 38.
(2) Anonymous, 121.
(3) Anonymous, 48.
(4) Anonymous, 51.
(5) Anonymous, 87.
(6) Anonymous, 108.

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