Iced - Hardcover

Shell, Ray

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0679428976 ISBN 13: 9780679428978

Publisher: Random House Inc, 1994

Synopsis

The diary of a crack addict outlines the harsh realities of life for Cornelius Washington, from his ambitious, upwardly mobile youth, through his experimentation with drugs and introduction to crack, to his eventual total submission to his addiction. A first novel. 25,000 first printing.

About this title

From the Author

i really appreciate your carrying my book on your list
I would really like to hear from readers of my first novel Iced. I've just got access to the net so this is very new to me.

From the Back Cover

This extraordinary, immensely powerful debut novel takes the form of a diary written by Cornelius Washington – a forty-four-year-old crack addict. The diary, a rhythmic and gripping stream of consciousness, charts both the harsh realities of Cornelius's grim present and the upheavals and excitements of his colourful past.

In his earlier years, Cornelius moves up and down America's eastern states, encountering a host of startling, enlightening and sometimes terrifying characters along the way: voluptuous, motherly Maggie, loving generous Pia, confused and abused casualty of life Quentin, viscous, street-wise Spartacus. Initially brimming with talent and ambition, he dabbles with drugs as a young man before gradually becoming hooked. Little by little, Cornelius edges ever closer to becoming what he most fears – a 'Vampire Zombie', one of the lost dead souls at the end of the addiction line...

'Iced' is at once a shocking account of the addicts life, and a compelling and often uplifting tale of human love and loss.

"The book is a powerhouse, Ray Shell writes beautifully. The story is heartbreaking, I kept putting it down and picking it up again – it won't let me go."
MAYA ANGELOU

Edition details

• Publisher: Random House Inc
• Publication date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0679428976
• ISBN 13: 9780679428978
• Binding: Hardcover