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I stumbled upon this book looking for another which I needed for one of my classes. When I found it, it was with about four other ones which were by the same author. I sat down for the next ten minutes to read each blurb then I picked one to read. When I read the back of this book it intrigued me the most so I started to read it. Dopefiend is about two young people, Terry and Teddy, who get warped into the dope fiend life style. Teddy was already addicted when he met Terry. Their relationship did not work out that well because Terry used the heroin once, so that Teddy could get a better price on the drugs, and she became addicted. Something interesting though, was that Donald Goines himself was a junkie for 23 years, and it started when he was in Korea fulfilling military services. Goines continues the story showing the extremes that Terry and Teddy go to, to get money for the drugs. Terry stole from her job, and Teddy (along with some of his friends) would steal from random stores which had products that they could sell (like electronic stores). In the end, Terry was hospitalized and Teddy was killed because he got wrapped up in the business. The story captures the turbulent love of Terry and Teddy and shows the outcomes of a dope fiend life.

Because of the intensity of this story I felt as though I could not relate at all to this story. But I did find one little thing that I made a connection to; Terry’s beginning thoughts after getting involved with the drug. Initially Terry’s parents did not know she was doing any drugs, it wasn’t until they found out she was stealing from her job that they found out. And after they found out Terry was slightly second guessing why she was doing drugs. She felt guilt for having let her parents down. That feeling of guilt was what I could connect to. Most of the things I do are to make my parents feel as though what they do for me is worth it. I don’t like to let them down because then I feel as though they will feel horrible. Knowing that they brought me into this world makes me realize I would not even be living the life I am if it were not for them. And there are times when I tell them little white lies, everyone does. Sometimes I do get those feelings of guilt but I can overcome them, like Terry did. Overall, this book was extremely interesting and Goines did a great job in portraying that way of life.