- Paperback: 268 pages
- Publisher: Flamingo; First Printing edition (11 Oct 1993)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0006546331
- ISBN-13: 978-0006546337
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 13 x 1.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 288,434 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Synopsis
Takes the form of a diary written by Cornelius, a black American hooked on crack. The diary charts both his grim present and the upheavals of his past - during his life he has moved from New York to Boston and then back via North Carolina, encountering a host of exciting and terrifying characters.
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.
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.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I picked up this novel in a cheap bookstore in Sydney with the intention of reading it during a 24 hour flight to London to pass the time. I finished it before I reached my stopover in Seoul.
I found it to be a compelling and gripping novel, slightly hard to get into in the first chapter, but once you get used to the diary style writing you will not be able to put it down.
Coming from a completely different background from the character Cornelius, I could barely relate to any of the events that happened throughout the book, although this was not detrimental to my enjoyment of the novel whatsoever. I felt shock, empathy, disbelief. It crosses racial, social and class divides, and it opens any potential readers eyes to a culture that is not too far away from anyone in the Western society...
Read it and be educated.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I'm going to go against the grain here, and say that Iced - for me - only deserved 3 stars. The book itself was well written in a style, and with a creative use of language, which (as a working copywriter) I really enjoyed. However, overall I felt the book lacked any direction; a story, if you will.
You could argue a lack of direction is a perfect reflection of anyone who is on crack, but for me it just made for a boring read. I found myself willing the book to end from about the half way point, and not even Ray Shell's excellent writing style, or colourful and creative use of language could hold my interest.
If you want a much better read and insight into what it's like to be a drug addict (not that I know), I suggest you read a book called "H.": Autobiography of a Child Prostitute and Heroin Addict: "H.": Autobiography of a Child Prostitute and Heroin Addict... it's much, much better and what's more it's a true story. You can read about it in my reviews section, as I've written my thoughts down on that on here too.
I can see why people like this book so much, and it was given to me to read by my best friend - he described it as his favourite book of all time, and has read and reread it on numerous occasions - but for me I was left distinctly underwelmed. It started off well, but lost it's way, only to sparkle again on its very last few pages, with not so much of a twist - but a satisfactorily tragic end.
Buy it, read it for yourself - I'm can't advise against it - in the end I think it'll come down to personal taste. But before you buy it, do check out my review of "H.": Autobiography of a Child Prostitute and Heroin Addict, which is in my opinion - although a distinctly different genre (in some ways), is a far superior book.
If you found this review helpful, please give it the thumbs up - thanks!
You could argue a lack of direction is a perfect reflection of anyone who is on crack, but for me it just made for a boring read. I found myself willing the book to end from about the half way point, and not even Ray Shell's excellent writing style, or colourful and creative use of language could hold my interest.
If you want a much better read and insight into what it's like to be a drug addict (not that I know), I suggest you read a book called "H.": Autobiography of a Child Prostitute and Heroin Addict: "H.": Autobiography of a Child Prostitute and Heroin Addict... it's much, much better and what's more it's a true story. You can read about it in my reviews section, as I've written my thoughts down on that on here too.
I can see why people like this book so much, and it was given to me to read by my best friend - he described it as his favourite book of all time, and has read and reread it on numerous occasions - but for me I was left distinctly underwelmed. It started off well, but lost it's way, only to sparkle again on its very last few pages, with not so much of a twist - but a satisfactorily tragic end.
Buy it, read it for yourself - I'm can't advise against it - in the end I think it'll come down to personal taste. But before you buy it, do check out my review of "H.": Autobiography of a Child Prostitute and Heroin Addict, which is in my opinion - although a distinctly different genre (in some ways), is a far superior book.
If you found this review helpful, please give it the thumbs up - thanks!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read this book in the mid-nineties. I lent it to friends who, like me, were utterly amazed at the contents of this book. I have read this book at least 6 times, and I am currently re-reading it at the moment. It has the power to make you realise that all of us can just as easily come off the straight and narrow path into oblivion and the life of the Vampire Zombie be it through drugs, alcohol, depression, bad relationships etc. The book makes me laugh, cry and be utterly shocked at the depths that us as humans can reach and how when we think we may be helping someone we are actually hurting them, especially if we do not really have their best interests at heart.
The first time I read this I was so sure that Cornelius would get his life on track; the ending broke my heart.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough; I am disappointed that Mr Shell has not written another novel but I do believe Iced would be hard to top.
The first time I read this I was so sure that Cornelius would get his life on track; the ending broke my heart.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough; I am disappointed that Mr Shell has not written another novel but I do believe Iced would be hard to top.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
"Iced" is cool....
I saw the stage dramatisation of the novel, "The Devil has Quentin's Heart" at the Northcott Theatre, Exeter, and decided then to buy the novel for my partner's birthday but this... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Nick Milton
Must be read
I read this book a very long time ago. It's a heartbreaking story and makes you realize the devastating effect of drugs. Once you start reading you wil not be able to put it down. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Macey
Like it is
Excellent book that tells it like it is. i read in university library as i recall. well written and takes you on the journey of a functioning, employed citizen to iced homeless... Read more
Published on 5 Nov 2009 by Joseph Healy
Fabulous!
The book is written in such a way it takes you on the journey of the character. I read it about 10 years ago and until this day the story and the characters have stuck in my... Read more
Published on 31 July 2007 by R. John
Loving it!
I read this book when it first came out. It tells a tale of a promising young man who tries a little crack and ends up as a "vampire junkie". Read more
Published on 20 May 2006 by Jojo
Great read!
I read this book many years ago and it still haunts me! I highly recommend it, it will never leave you.
Published on 14 Nov 2005
Iced
I loved this book from start to finish - reading it in one sitting during a flight to New York - and bawling my eyes out on arrival! Read more
Published on 8 Feb 2005 by Lynne James
wow what a good book
I 1st heard about this book when my friend was reading it...she kept on saying "oh my god oh my god" i thouht what was the big deal...Now I know... Read more
Published on 12 Sep 2004
Heartbreaking yet heartwarming...
My now deceased mother (who was a recovering crack addict herself) gave me her copy of Iced years ago. Read more
Published on 2 Aug 2004 by Ms. C. M. Williams
Please sir....can i have some more
I was handed this about ten years ago, before CRACK hit the UK. This book is the most honest and descriptive i've read. Read more
Published on 15 Jun 2004 by First time caller
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