In Hanuman’s Hands by Cheeni Rao

In Hanuman’s Hands is a poignant memoir of a young Indian man, Cheeni Rao, whose experience with American freedoms routed in the mark of passage of college life, leads him on the path of drugs and alcohol. A product of a devout Hindu family with lineage of privileged Brahmin priests, Rao is reduced to a homeless drug addict on the streets of Chicago, prostituting himself for his next fix and petty crime to quench his need for more drugs.

Excellent read.  Cheeni Rao’s account of self-destruction is a must for anyone who thinks that the first hit of a pipe or the snort of a line can not affect all walks of life. A cultural rich story of one man’s triumphant defeat of addiction and long road to recovery, this memoir gives the reader a new found respect for not only the strength of the human spirit, but also the beauty and complexity of Indian culture. 

The allure of the drug world and its integration with Indian culture in America’s homeland is rich and engrossing. Praise for Cheeni Rao strength and determination to defeat the destruction of addiction.

8 JAGS

 

Portrait of an Addict as a Young Man by Bill Clegg

Bill Clegg’s Portrait of an Addict as a Young Man is a memoir of when even the most affluent among us is addicted to drugs and alcohol. A real life non-fiction drama of one man’s rise against an affliction against Crack cocaine and how Bill Clegg had managed to hide his addiction from family, friends and colleagues in this tense tale of redemption. Clegg tells his story in short spurts and descriptive prose as an up and coming literary agent in New York who chooses the stem of a crack pipe over the love of his partner and the opportunity to grow his literary agency.

This depressing narrative reminds the reader of more of an HBO special than a heart wrenching story of one man’s triumphant rise above addiction. Images of a crack addict digging through hotel carpets looking for a rock, while spying imaginary Swat teams through plaid curtains plays out more than a true to life story. Clegg’s rendered his rise and fall in more of a TV special on Lifetime than a life most addicts can or would relate to.

Quick and interesting take on addiction, but replace crack with mid-night apple pie and ice cream from the fridge and the same story could take place-all around disappointed.

Wait to pick up your copy in a discount bin at your local bookstore.

3 JAGS