53 pages 1 hour read

Hubert Selby Jr.

Requiem for a Dream: A Novel

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1978

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Requiem for a Dream by Hubert Selby Jr. follows Harry Goldfarb, his mother Sara, his girlfriend Marion Kleinmeitz, and his best friend Tyrone C. Love as they struggle with drug addiction and its devastating consequences in Brooklyn. As they chase the American dream, their lives spiral out of control, showing the personal toll of addiction and its impact on their relationships and dreams. This book contains explicit depictions of drug use, addiction, mental illness, and various forms of violence.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Hubert Selby Jr.'s Requiem for a Dream is praised for its raw, unflinching portrayal of addiction and the human condition, with compelling, multi-faceted characters. The novel's intense, often distressing narrative is seen as both a strength and a drawback, challenging readers with its bleakness but lauded for its powerful impact.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Requiem for a Dream?

Readers who appreciated the raw intensity and bleak realism of works like Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh or the dark, introspective narratives in American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis will find Requiem for a Dream by Hubert Selby Jr. compelling. The novel's unflinching look at addiction and despair makes it suitable for those drawn to profound and gritty literature.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction

Mystery / Crime Fiction

Drama / Tragedy

Topics

Addiction / Substance Abuse

Themes

Relationships: Friendship

Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness

Society: Class