Go Ask Alice
Go Ask Alice is a 1971 young adult novel originally presented as the authentic diary of a nameless 15-year-old girl descending into drug addiction. While initially marketed as a true account, it is now widely recognized as a fictional work by Beatrice Sparks, crafted as a cautionary tale against substance abuse. The story chronicles the protagonist's harrowing journey, beginning with an unwitting LSD experience and spiraling into continuous drug use, running away from home, homelessness, and involvement in criminal activities, all while navigating strained family relationships and personal identity crises. This book is a powerful, albeit controversial, depiction of the challenges faced by teenagers grappling with addiction during the counterculture era. It explores the severe psychological and physical consequences of drug abuse, dangerous social interactions, and culminates in a tragic end that underscores its anti-drug message. Despite ongoing debates about its veracity and certain thematic elements, "Go Ask Alice" has maintained its status as a notable and frequently discussed piece of young adult literature, often serving as a catalyst for discussions on drug prevention and adolescent struggles.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
HighThe book includes explicit negative portrayals of homosexuality, equating it with 'degradation,' 'illness,' 'sin,' and 'guilt.' The narrative contains homophobic sentiments expressed by the protagonist.
The diarist expresses homophobic views, such as when she discovers her boyfriend Richie having sex with his male friend Ted, reacting with intense self-condemnation and stating, 'What a disgrace I am to myself… I'm as bad as that sonofabitch Richie.' Additionally, the narrator, under the influence of marijuana, contemplates 'screwing with a girl' but immediately expects to 'feel terrible' afterwards, framing same-sex desire as a 'sinful pleasure.'
Violence
HighThe narrative includes explicit references to sexual assault and rape, as well as threats and physical harm inflicted by others, contributing to the protagonist's traumatic experiences.
The diarist is subjected to sexual assault/rape during her runaway experiences. Later, her former drug-using friends harass her at school, threaten her and her family, and eventually drug her against her will, leading to a 'bad trip' and requiring hospitalization due to physical and mental damage.
Romance and Sexual Content
HighThe book contains explicit references to sex, rape, and prostitution. It details the protagonist's loss of virginity and her engagement in sex work during periods of homelessness.
The diarist loses her virginity while under the influence of LSD. During her period of homelessness, the diarist falls into sex work (prostitution). The book also mentions her bonding with a younger girl named Babbie in a psychiatric hospital, who is identified as a 'child prostitute.'
Substance Use
HighSubstance use is the central and pervasive theme of the book, depicting extensive drug addiction with explicit details of various illegal substances, forced drug use, drug dealing, and culminating in the protagonist's death by overdose.
The narrative begins with the diarist unwittingly ingesting LSD at a party at age 15, which marks the start of her severe drug addiction. She engages in the use of multiple drugs, including LSD, marijuana, heroin, speed, and meth, and at one point, sells drugs to children as young as ten years old. The book concludes with the protagonist's death from a drug overdose, which is the ultimate tragic consequence of her addiction.
Scary & Intense Content
HighThe book contains intense and disturbing content, including graphic depictions of drug trips, hallucinations, psychological distress, homelessness, and the protagonist's eventual death.
The diarist experiences severe 'bad trips' resulting in 'physical and mental damage,' leading to her being sent to a psychiatric hospital. While hospitalized, she suffers from vivid and disturbing hallucinations, such as imagining 'worms and maggots eating her body.' The entire narrative chronicles a harrowing descent into self-destructive escapism, homelessness, and ultimately ends with her sudden death from a drug overdose.
Profanity
MediumThe book includes strong language and profanity, which has historically contributed to its status as a frequently challenged book in educational and library settings.
The book has been frequently challenged for its use of profanity over several decades. The diarist refers to her boyfriend Richie as 'sonofabitch' when reacting to his same-sex encounter.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe protagonist exhibits significant rebellious behavior through repeated instances of running away from home, engaging in illicit activities, and struggling with parental authority.
The main character runs away from home multiple times throughout the story, abandoning her family and responsibilities. Her diary entries frequently detail difficulties in adjusting to a new town and problems getting along with her parents, as well as a general immersion in the 1960s counterculture that defied traditional norms.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThere are no direct or prominent instances of witchcraft or occult practices depicted by the main character in 'Go Ask Alice.' While the author, Beatrice Sparks, later fabricated occult material in another book ('Jay's Journal'), this is not a feature of 'Go Ask Alice' itself.
The book primarily focuses on drug addiction and its consequences, without the inclusion of witchcraft or occult rituals involving the diarist. Although the author, Beatrice Sparks, fabricated material involving 'Satan worship, replete with rituals, sacrifices, orgies, demons, animal mutilations' in her later book 'Jay's Journal,' such elements are not present in 'Go Ask Alice.'
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe book does not contain anti-Christian themes. Instead, the author, a devout Latter-day Saint, used a moralistic framework that included the protagonist expressing prayers for divine help, although some of its social commentaries (e.g., on homosexuality) reflect conservative religious viewpoints.
The book's author, Beatrice Sparks, was a devout Latter-day Saint (Mormon), and her writings have been described as utilizing 'scare tactics to sell traditional values.' The diarist herself explicitly appeals to God for assistance, stating, 'I'll have to fight it every day of my life and I hope God will help me.' and 'Oh dear God, help me adjust, help me be accepted, help me belong, don't let me be a social outcast and a drag on my family.'
Other Notes
Target Demographic
16+ (Mature Teens) – This recommendation is based on the book's explicit and graphic depictions of severe drug addiction, sexual content including rape and prostitution, instances of violence, intense psychological distress, and ultimately, death by overdose. While some sources suggest a younger audience, the high severity of multiple concerns warrants a more mature reading age to ensure readers can process the disturbing themes responsibly.
Additional Notes
The book was initially presented as a real diary but is now widely considered a fictional work by Beatrice Sparks. This fact has led to ethical concerns regarding its marketing to young readers as a true story. Beatrice Sparks also produced other 'true' diaries that included fabricated elements, such as occult content in 'Jay's Journal.' The book has been adapted into a 1973 television film and a 1976 stage play.
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