- Paperback: 192 pages
- Publisher: Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd.; New edition edition (15 Jan 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0826480276
- ISBN-13: 978-0826480279
- Product Dimensions: 2.1 x 1.4 x 0.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 338,137 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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More About the Author
Product Description
The Oxford Times
'A thoughtful, sometimes brutally honest account. If you've ever wondered why young people take drugs, read The Agony of Ecstasy.'
The Times
'It screams of teenage angst and the pressures to be cool, beautiful and self-possesed.'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The Agony of Ecstasy is a compelling read - Olivia writes with an honesty and maturity that is very rare to find.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If you've ever wondered why young people take drugs, then this may well be the book you've been looking for.
Astute, honest and acutely observed, Gordon transports the reader into the mind of a teenager in the 'rave' scene of the 90s and explores those pressures that drove her to take ecstasy to 'feel' something, to fill some agonising, inexplicable gap in her life.
Her subsequent disastrous reaction to MDMA ten tabs down the road marked an extraordinary turning point in her life. Somehow, partly through her own introspection, she pulled herself out of a serious depression and returned with the message that happiness cannot be created artificially - that there's far more to our emotional state than a change of brain chemistry. An excellent debut.
Astute, honest and acutely observed, Gordon transports the reader into the mind of a teenager in the 'rave' scene of the 90s and explores those pressures that drove her to take ecstasy to 'feel' something, to fill some agonising, inexplicable gap in her life.
Her subsequent disastrous reaction to MDMA ten tabs down the road marked an extraordinary turning point in her life. Somehow, partly through her own introspection, she pulled herself out of a serious depression and returned with the message that happiness cannot be created artificially - that there's far more to our emotional state than a change of brain chemistry. An excellent debut.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Well i just lovedddddddddd this book!!. So much of what the author wrote hit a note with me. I never suffered quite as much as her but some parts of the book rang true with me. I think the one line that hit home most was when the author said: if things continue like they were for another week she'd have to take her own life. I once said the exact same thing to myself. Knowing that someone had experienced such a desperate experience as myself hit a strong cord within me.
I love a book that makes me think and feel like Miss Gordon's did. I also loved the way she writes: her experiences in her own life but also the bigger picture of society and mental health from recreational drug use. She's clearly a very intelligent woman. Some of the references and words she use's are beyond me but thats fine, as its good to be challenged and stimulated to think about what you're reading! :0) I felt for her and her struggle from a stable home life to recreational drug use. I felt so sorry for Olivia reading what she was going through and partly understanding myself. I understand what that feels like: to have been taken to edge of one's mind through drugs; a broken leg would be so much more acceptable to deal with.
Thank you for a brilliant book, Olivia! This book is now well within my Top 10 favourite books. This book had to be written by someone! An accomplished piece of writing from a first time author!
I love a book that makes me think and feel like Miss Gordon's did. I also loved the way she writes: her experiences in her own life but also the bigger picture of society and mental health from recreational drug use. She's clearly a very intelligent woman. Some of the references and words she use's are beyond me but thats fine, as its good to be challenged and stimulated to think about what you're reading! :0) I felt for her and her struggle from a stable home life to recreational drug use. I felt so sorry for Olivia reading what she was going through and partly understanding myself. I understand what that feels like: to have been taken to edge of one's mind through drugs; a broken leg would be so much more acceptable to deal with.
Thank you for a brilliant book, Olivia! This book is now well within my Top 10 favourite books. This book had to be written by someone! An accomplished piece of writing from a first time author!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Exceptional debut
Few coming-of-age stories have the beguiling power of this one. I've just bought some more copies for my family and friends because I think the author's story offers hope and... Read more
Published on 21 Nov 2008 by Lisa Page
Disappointing.
The author is clearly a good writer in the making but this book has too much of a self conscious air to it for it to be an enjoyable read. Read more
Published on 30 Oct 2006 by T. Purnell
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