Iced

Because I am a recovering addict, it is a hobby of mine to read books on the addiction experience. This book is one of the most compelling books on addiction that I have ever had the luck to stumble on! It's a look into the mind of a hard-core crack addict. Some reviewers say that too much happens to our tragic hero, but I think it is a very accurate portrayal of an addicts life!

The main character is the novel "Iced" truly did not want to become a drug addict. This was a man filled with dreams and ambitions of becoming a success. But being in the spirit with times, he felt that he had experience in order to belong and to get away from his smoothering family. "Iced" should definitely used required reading in high school to show young people that even so-called "adults" can go on the wrong path of life.

Have you seen a drug addict and always wondered what their life was like? Iced is a like being inside the mind of a crack addict. You should know the synopsis by now. It's the life and times of Cornelius Washington, Jr. a 40 year old crack addict and his descent from the bottom to virtual nothingness. What makes this book different from the countless other dope feind books is the style of writing used by the writer Ray Shell. (a real talent) It's told in diary form, but not in the from of dear diary this happened, that happened ect... It's like you are inside of Cornelius' thoughts. You expreience every high he takes you go throught all the highs and lows throught his life. Not for the faint of heart and spirit, take caution when reading this book it's addictive, I read three quarters of the book in the bookstore before I brought. I finished it that night. It's a shame that this book is out of print and more people don't know about it because it's so powerful. I recommed this book highly to anyone who appreciates great writing.

There are only three words for this book...Fab-u-lous! It delves graveyard deep into the mind and tragedies of a crack-head. A place you won't soon forget. And a road you don't want to travel. I just wish Mr. Snell would write more. My soul,my mind and my imagination are greedy for more of his type of writing.

I read this book many years back. I came across it while perusing a book store in Chicago on a business trip. I returned to my hotel room, cracked the cover and spent the rest of the afternoon and evening eating up every single page.I could not believe I had not heard of the book before, that it was not covered in mass by the media and other literary organiations. The work was so gritty so real, so in your face I kept on checking Mr. Shell's picture and reading his biography trying to determing if this was in fact 'fact' or well developed fiction. To this day I am not sure, only that this was a major piece of literary work that hardly anyone knew about and a great work came and went away from the world in near silence.I don't know where Mr. Shell is or what he is doing this days but it's never over until the 'fat lady sings". A smart publisher would reissue this work, put some advertising dollars behind it and bring it back to the world in force. No doubt it would hit the blackboard best sellers list and would sell many more copies. Maya Angelou gave a review...when was the last time you saw this illuminari of the Literary World's thoughts on the front of somebodies book? That says it all.Mr. Shell, wherever you are, whatever you are doing these days please know that there is a whole bunch of people out in the world who 'got it', and not only did we get it, we applauded it, we became engrossed in it, we heralded it, we were enthralled by it and we want more of your talents. I hope you have not laid down the pen. You have shown true genius and we are hungry for more.They say good things comes to those who wait, well I hope that you are planning more books Mr. Shell, because I'm certain it will be worth the wait.Margaret Johnson-Hodge, Author of "The Real Deal" and "A New Day"