Book Review: Go Ask Alice

Title: Go Ask Alice
Author: Anonymous
Editor: Beatrice Sparks
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: 1971
Pages: 213

“I feel like Alice in Wonderland. Maybe Lewis G. Carroll was on drugs too.”

Since its first publication in 1971, Go Ask Alice has sold more than 5 million copies. This book is a "supposed" authentic portrayal of teenage drug abuse in the late 1960s to early 1970s; it is documented in a series of private diary entries—written in first person—from an unnamed 15 year-old girl (but we’ll refer to her as Alice). The story tackles sensitive topics, such as unwanted sex, underage drinking, and of course the usage of drugs during an era where it was believed certain substances could bring forth peace, acceptance and love to the world. So beware, this story may not be for everyone.

In many respects, this tragic story resonates with the younger crowd because it is written from the perspective of an adolescent. Each page shows a character progression of the protagonist—from her early stages of innocence all the way up to her uphill battle with drug addiction and sobriety. Readers will discover that Alice is a typical teen, faced with typical teenage issues (insecurities, attaining popularity, maintaining an image, etc.). It does a decent job in verbalizing teenage angst and the emotions that most teenagers go through. For instance, she states: “If only parents would listen! If only they would let us talk instead of forever and eternally continuously haring and preaching and nagging…”

The book demonstrates the effects of drugs and its inevitable consequences. Alice addresses the dangers of drugs and addiction in graphic detail, and includes explicit descriptions of the sensations she feels with each drug she uses. Therefore, readers, please do not expect this book to be a fairytale where the heroine overcomes all odds. In the end, she is defeated and succumbs to her addiction.

“I felt great, free, abandoned, a different, improved, perfected specimen of a different, improved, perfected species. It was wild! It was beautiful! It really was.”

As I was conducting research for this book, I came across some articles questioning the book’s authenticity. For years, it’s been portrayed as a non-fiction tale of a teenage drug addict—but over the years, the story’s authorship became a topic of interest to many readers in the late 70’s. Beatrice Sparks, a Mormon and therapist, edited the book and proceeded to publish other books in diary form, centered on the issues that some trouble teens endure (just like this book); thus, it sparked a suspicion. As a result, the book has been criticized for being an anti-drug propaganda and a “literary hoax.”  Regardless, whether true or not, it continues to be praised and is a popular bestseller.

Personally, instead of feeling pity for Alice, I disliked her. In my opinion, for someone to feel the need to use drugs—there has to be a reason to do it (horrible home life, troubles with parents, abuse, etc.), but there wasn’t a legitimate reason for Alice. It all started with her going to a party and accidentally taking LSD. After only taking it once, she vows she wouldn’t do it again—but once her family is settled in a new town and Alice attends a new school, she’s back to taking drugs again. What I’m trying to get at is that there wasn’t a purpose behind her use of drugs. Alice grew up in a loving home, with two supportive (yet, highly naïve) parents, and lived in an upper-middle class lifestyle. What’s Alice’s reason? The reason is never clear.

Another frustrating part about this book is that Alice contradicts herself a lot, for example: “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, and I won’t! I won’t ever again. I solemnly promise I will from this day forward live so that everyone I know can be proud of me and so that I can be proud of myself!” Throughout the entire book, Alice is fully aware of the consequences of drug abuse and how it’s negatively affecting her and her family, but she continues this horrid journey—disregarding her life and family.

It just seemed perfectly scripted and plotted. You can tell that there was a motive behind the book, which was just shine light on the dangers of drugs. Although I think the message is clear, the book doesn’t do a good job in convincing readers—like myself—on how true this story is. But one important thing that struck me odd was how the story ended. Towards the end of Alice’s diary, she writes about how she has maintained her commitment to sobriety—there was no mention of her using drugs. In her last diary entry, Alice writes:

“I used to think I would get another diary after you are filled, or even that I would keep a diary or journal through my whole life. But now I don’t think I will. Diaries are great when you’re young.  In fact, you saved my sanity a hundred, thousand, million times. But I think when a person gets older she should be able to discuss her problems and thoughts with other people, instead of just with another part of herself as you have been to me. Don’t you agree? I hope so, for you are my dearest friend and I shall thank you always for sharing my tears and heartaches and my struggles and strifes, and my joys and happiness. It’s all been good in its own special way, I guess.”

Coincidentally, in the epilogue, it states that the “subject of this book” passed away three weeks after her last diary entry; it reported that her parents came home and found “Alice” dead. In my opinion, it just seems like a perfect and tragic ending, or at least it was a perfect segue to the epilogue and to conclude the book.

Would I recommend this book? Yes, to a degree. I think the story is great for young children who are inching closer to their teenage years and who might be curious to explore drugs. But I don’t think it’s a wonderful piece of fiction, nor am I convinced that this story is at all real. I suppose every reader has his or her own conclusions about this book.

x, k