Go Ask Alice by Anonymous (But Not Really Anonymous)
So I was not really on planning on reading Go Ask Alice by Anonymous for Banned Books Week but the universe was conspiring me to read it and the story of how I ended up with this book is worth mentioning quickly.
Saturday morning my sister calls me and asks me if I would mind picking her up (the trials of a one car household) and taking a young woman to the bus station. This girl had just arrived in Salt Lake City a week earlier to move in with her boyfriend, but this mean boyfriend kicked her out of the house, knowing full well that she didn’t know anybody in the city. My sister, who is awesome about always following her promptings, felt that she could go out at 11:00 at night to the grocery store not knowing why she should. It was there that she noticed this girl crying on the sidewalk. She literally would have slept on the street if my sister didn’t take her home. The ex-boyfriend ended up at least buying her a bus ticket back home. Prior to the bus leaving, we were able to help outvwith a meal, a shower, a place to nap, and wash all of her laundry as the mean boyfriend had thrown all of her stuff out onto the lawn and then the sprinklers went off. Not a nice guy.
I found out that she is a HUGE reader and even though she had only been in town a week had already visited the library and had a book checked out which she asked me to return. That book was Go Ask Alice. A book that I was not familiar with and in fact had only heard of when I did my Banned Books post. And then after this very long day (at least 12 hours helping her out) and on my way home from the bus station I got a flat tire. My thanks for doing a good deed. And I don’t know how to change flat tires. Luckily, I had Go Ask Alice in the car and found myself with some time to read while help arrived.
In addition, on Sunday Abbi left a comment on the Banned Books post aking if I would review Go Ask Alice at some point, which was funny because I was right in the middle of the book and literally had it right next to me when I received that comment. So universe conspiring? Yes, I would say definitely so.
Like I mentioned, I didn’t know anything about Go Ask Alice by Anonymous prior to starting this book. I had no reason to believe that this wasn’t the real deal, a real diary written by a 15 year old drug addict. Alice, although it’s known that we actually don’t know her name, is a happy go lucky fifteen year old from a nice middle class family. While at a party she is unknowingly given LSD and thrown into the world of drugs. Within months she is an addict who can’t get enough, runs away from home and is promiscuous. She bounces back and forth with trying to be a good girl, a good daughter and empty promises to come clean. This book was published as a warning for all young people about the perils of drug experimentation and as an intimate look at the trials that drug use brings with it.
So right away I had some suspicions about this book that I couldn’t reconcile. First off, no way this is written by a fifteen year old girl! I know everybody’s different but there is no way that a fifteen year old girl would write like this was written, especially in a diary. It was written much to eloquently, she is way to vague about stuff, goes into no details about her first kiss, losing her virginity, etc. Doesn’t talk about her friends, gossip, nothing. And the words! The words! She uses words that I don’t even know how to spell, like gregarious and impregnable. And those are just two examples, there are a ton more just like it. And passages like: I was a shooting star, a comet piercing the firmament, blazing though the sky. And I tried to share the beauty with the others, but my words came out soggy, wet and dripping or tasting of color. Um, really? Maybe she’s a natural born poet but I didn’t think it the language matched a diary.
So about half way through reading Go Ask Alice I did something that I never ever do. I googled it. I never do this until after I finish the book but there were several things that were bothering me and I couldn’t help but see what other people thought. Imagine all the stuff I found, especially here, here, and here. Go Ask Alice isn’t a real diary at all! This made me happy because it meant that I was on the right track with my suspicions, but upset because I felt deceived. It’s fiction set up to look like a real diary in an attempt to scare the crap out of kids who think maybe they want to get high.
The author (she calls herself editor), Beatrice Sparks, always maintained that the book was based upon a real diary but did add other incidents and fictionalized accounts. What’s more is that Beatrice Sparks has gone on to write at least four or five more books all written from this “Anonymous” standpoint. Suspicious? I’d say so.
And I found out that Beatrice Sparks is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, taught at Brigham Young University (my alma mater), and now lives (she’s in her 80’s) in Provo, Utah. Literally a hop, skip and jump away from me. I thought that was interesting to me at least.
I can see the premise on this one: make it look like the real thing so it seems more real. But I think the same effect could have easily been achieved by being honest up front. Having been published in the ’70’s, the publishers totally got away with it but these days there is so much outrage over fake memoirs, why is Go Ask Alice still getting away with it?
I’m glad I read this book but it’s not going on the list of best reads of the year. I couldn’t get close to Alice or her story because I had such a hard time believing it in the first place. That’s not to say that the story isn’t unbelievable as far as the drug usage but I don’t think a fifteen year old would write like she did. Plus, there is tons of foul language and sexual references, which I was expecting going into it but still didn’t enjoy. But there is no doubt that this book has made a profound effect upon the millions who have read it.
On a sidenote, they made a straight to TV movie based upon Go Ask Alice and from the clip I saw on YouTube, it looks awful.
I read Go Ask Alice during Banned Books Week. This one has been challenged not on the basis of it’s authorship but because of the drug, language, and sexual references. I could see why parents would be upset about this one, especially if it was required reading, even if it’s a warning against drugs. I wonder, how does one compromise on a required school read if they don’t want to read it?
Also, what’s your take on how this book is marketed? It’s still on a lot of school reading lists, in the Non-Fiction section of bookstores and libraries, and is set up to look 100% like a real diary from a real girl. Somewhere I read that the copyright page indicates that it’s a fictionalized account but my copy doesn’t say that. To tell you the truth, I feel duped.
You?
When I was in 5th grade,I loved this book. Now if I read it, I probably wouldn’t think it was appropriate for a 5th grader and wouldn’t allow my own 11 year olds to read it (but then again,I might.I would have to re-read it and see…) but that’s beside the point.
I had this book taken away from me by a teacher.Took the book right out of my hands and kept it. It turned into be this huge big thing because he refused to give the book back to me, which resulted in school board getting involved,yadayadayada.
Now thinking about it, it’s probably one of the reason I get so up in arms about book banning. Even if the teacher felt the book shouldn’t have been in my hands, he had no right to take it away.Sure, I can see taking it away until the end of the day and asking I not bring it to school but to keep it?
And YES, I felt so duped when I found out it was not a real diary.
Have you ever read the Fine Lines column at Jezebel? They take children’s and YA books from the past and re-read and review them. I know there’s one of this book
on September 29th, 2008 at 5:26 amhttp://jezebel.com/tag/fine-lines/
What an amazing set of “coincidences” that led you to read this book! Crazy!!
on September 29th, 2008 at 5:33 amI remember reading this around age 14. But I have to say I understood even then that it was fiction. I took “anonymous” to be a device; I didn’t think it was an actual memoir. Maybe I picked up on the language? Anyway–the book really left an impression on me. I can remember thinking, “I will NEVER do LSD!” I seriously think that one book kept me from doing drugs. In fact, I might have to re-read it and see if I find it appropriate for my teenager, although I’m not sure a boy would appreciate it as much as a girl.
I’ve never read this but I did hear it was a fake. Cautionary tales (hook-handed crazies terrorizing teens in parked cars anyone?) have been around forever. I guess this is a sophisticated version.
on September 29th, 2008 at 6:28 amThere was such a big deal made about James Frey and A Million Little Pieces, I’m surprised this book hasn’t received similar treatment.
on September 29th, 2008 at 8:33 amWhat an interesting post. The circumstances that led you to reading the book, wow! I read this back when I was a teenager and had no idea it wasn’t a real diary. I should have figured, since I couldn’t even understand some of the words. I’ve read a few other books published by authors who call themselves “Anonymous” and I never know how to list their names in my blog index. Shouldn’t their real name be there? But if no one knows who they are, they won’t even look for it. I still think it’s a good book- the imagery is very cool sometimes- but the fact that it’s a fake bothers me too.
on September 29th, 2008 at 10:02 amI read it as an adult and was all EH about it. I remember thinking there was no way it wasn’t hugely embellished and then when I found out it wasn’t real was pretty happy to have my thoughts confirmed. I can see trying to make it sound real (in the 70s) so that kids would be scared, but no way that’d fly now.
on September 29th, 2008 at 10:47 amlook! Ive been referenced. I read this book about two years ago and I loved it. Being a poet myself at around the same age as this girl I didn’t notice the eloquent language as much as I’m sure others did. I just found out that this book was a fake this year. I felt horribly duped but I still think it is a good book. I think that if they had been up front about it being fake but had said…I dunno based on a true story it still would have made an impact. As your experience shows us, things like this happen. Maybe not in the magnitude as they do in this book, but they happen.
Anyways, overall the same reaction as many who read this book. Kind of freaky about the timing of my comment.
on September 29th, 2008 at 2:58 pmWell, your story about the girl who got kicked out by her boyfriend was good. Unfortunately, that story was true.
on September 29th, 2008 at 3:27 pmGo Ask Alice was one of those books when I was a teenager in the 70’s. Every girl I knew had read it, was reading it, or was going to read it. It got kids talking and that was important.
As for the movie, it wasn’t really that bad. You’re suffering from a lack of proper perspective. In other words, you’re looking at it from today instead from back in the 70’s.
cjh
on September 29th, 2008 at 3:40 pmHm, I haven’t read this one, but the story behind the story sounds interesting. At least not as bad as some of the recent memoir debacles.
And how nice that you and your sister were able to show some kindness to a girl who needed it. You never know how little things will change someone’s life!
on September 29th, 2008 at 6:46 pmI agree, the movie does look awful! I would feel duped too no matter how good it is.
on September 30th, 2008 at 2:53 amI loved this as a teenager, and while I suspected it wasn’t a real diary, I loved the poetry in it.
on September 30th, 2008 at 9:20 amI am glad you found out so much about the background on this book and shared it. I am not surprised that it was not real but I am a little surprised to learn the real author was LDS.
on September 30th, 2008 at 11:25 amI read this book eons ago. I was probably too young and most of it probably went right over my head. I think I read it because my older sister read it.
omg! i have been seeing this book every where thinking there is some invisible force pressuring me to read it! so i pick it up read the back/inside flap cover and then put it down and walk away. idk.. but it seems like there is also another invisible force pressuring me NOT to read it an now idk what i should do. sigh… i’m willing to try it but i’m not big on swearing and drugs and all that stuff so idk if i will read it… =$
on September 30th, 2008 at 2:03 pmJupiter - Yeah, I wouldn’t want a eleven year old read this one either. Maybe a 16 year old. Too bad about your teacher!
SmallWorld - You were smarter than me, it took me at least a third of the book to realize that something was fishy.
Chris - I remember that story.
Softdrink - I’ve never read A Million Little Pieces, after the uproar I didn’t want to.
Jeane - I feel like the only person who didn’t read this when they were a teenager!
Lisa - She’s written several books since then, I think the most recent wasn’t that many years ago.
Abbi - I also think the same thing could have been achieved by being honest up front and say that it was based upon a true story.
Joy - I felt so sorry for this girl. Her boyfriend basically said go find a pimp and good luck to you on the streets! Grrr!
CJHill - I wholeheartedly admit that I’m not being fair about the movie. I only watched the first five minutes, but I still don’t want to watch it.
Kim L - What’s weird is that it’s still being marketed as true. Doesn’t seem to make sense.
Ladytink_534 - I’m sure there a lot of duped people out there.
Rebecca - It was very poetic, which is what lead me to not believe it.
Jeanette - I was shocked the author was LDS. Very strange. She’s in her ’80’s now.
Ginger - Honestly, it’s one that you could leave behind.
on September 30th, 2008 at 9:36 pm[...] Turn of the Screw)49. Maw Books (How to Eat Fried Worms)50. Maw Books (A Tree Grows in Brooklyn)51. Maw Books (Go Ask Alice)52. Maw Books (Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret)53. Maw Books (Of Mice and Men)54. Bonnie [...]
on October 10th, 2008 at 10:00 pmok, so i’m 19 and i read the book and was like, woa (the only reason i read it was because we were assined to read one of the top 100 banned/contested books for an extra credit assignment in my writing class). however, if someone who was kinda bullheaded were to pick this up and read it, the discription and discussion on how good the trips were may be a bad thing. yes the events that happened around the drug use were bad but it was sounded as though the trips themselves were a positive event. there are many teens out there who would have that “it wont happen to me” effect and could possibly seek out the poetic and “exciting” effects of drugs. i agree with an age restriction but i would bump it up to 18, when teens are usually figuring out who they are and where they wanna go. also, what helped me confirm without a doubt that this book wasnt the real deal (besides the fact that her language improved as the book went on when usually drugs eat at your brain by that point) was that it never once talked about withdrawal. she was hitting it pretty hard and heavy and was able to put it down just like that without any sweat or tears? i dont think so. ive got some friends who have straightened out their lives and have opened up to me about a lot. i would see it being more effective to turn kids away from drugs if she had put that in the diary. thats just me though
on October 23rd, 2008 at 6:41 pmI read this book when I was 13. I’m only 14 now but it is a book that is supposed to scare you off drugs, even though it tempts(motivates, inspires?) you to try it. It doesn’t sound like a teenager’s point of view at all. I should know.
on October 25th, 2008 at 8:16 pmBeatrice Sparks obviously wrote this book. She has a series of ‘diaries’. Examples are Jays Journal, Annie’s baby, Almost Lost, etc.
So, a couple of things… (Erika) I’ve personally never tripped on acid, but neither acid nor pot are physically addictive, like pills or heroin. Though I’m sure coming down would suck! Also, it usually takes quite a while for the long term effects, like drugs eating your brain, to come into play. Not always, but usually.
on October 28th, 2008 at 10:17 pmHowever, I read this book when I was a teenager, like 15 years ago, and even though the book always stuck with me, as in, I remembered that I had read it, it didn’t have any effect one way or the other as to whether I was going to experiment with drugs or not, and I read it when I was 13. I borrowed it from a pothead contemporary of mine, who swore up and down that it was a real diary, so I believed her, but even then I had doubts. So, I just re-read it today, and while I can appreciate how interesting of a story it is, I was like, no way is this for real. Like, when she walks in on her boyfriend, (whom she had sexual relations with) being intimate with his male roommate, a girl as sensitive as our Anonymous would have had a lot more to say than just, Oh! My boyfriend’s a queer… I’m so naiive (not an exact quote, but you know what I mean haha).
Plus she kept tripling up her words, even when she was all drugged-up, like “Great!Great!Great!” or “Bad!Bad!Bad!” Noone really says that!that!that!
It was an entertaining read, but if it’s been proven to be a fake, it shouldn’t be allowed to say that it’s real. And that she died. I mean, A Million Little Pieces boy had that whole apology thing in his, so should this book. Truth people!
Anyway, oh, also (not trying to pick on Erika, but her post made me think), I think the author had to talk about how great her trips were because if she didn’t, then we as readers would know she was lying! Why do drugs if not for the great escape… People don’t do drugs b/c it doesn’t feel good, ya know? The positive side of drugs was just used to perpetuate her lie. I think she probably interviewed people who had done drugs, and used their experiences to come up with what it’s like ot be high. I think that b/c there was that part of the story where our sober lil was Anonymous interviewing her fellow Crazies in the Ward. Possibly a bit of a confession? Hmm… OK, I’ll stop rambling now! I just finished a non-stop bookfest and I needed to discuss
This book no matter on what of the fence you lie on this book is phenomenal.
on November 25th, 2008 at 7:35 amThis story regardless real or not inspires people to look at what teenagers go though at a differnt angle and persective. It allows adults to see the world though a teenagers eyes and as a teenager that is very rare to see in books
this book I first read when I was 12 since then till now (29) I have read it atleast 10 times. I could relate easily back then as I was going through very similar problems & it really helped me to make better choices & maybe evan enjoy myself. Clearly the authur has done her research as the view from a young girl can be just as! I read it recently & being a mother now can see it differently (on the other side of the fence) & am greatful as I will very much try not to ignor the obvious problems that teens hide & are ashamed of. fake or not it resembles MANY real life stories evan down to the poetic writting skills (that are not that unlikely in a 14yr old girl believe it or not) All in all I will be giving my daughter this book when she becomes a teen!
on January 4th, 2009 at 5:39 pm