Drug Abuse

It is a challenge to find a page, or even a paragraph, where drug use is not mentioned. The author describes their use hundreds of times throughout the novel and uses details like the type of drug and amount constantly. Paul, the main character, seems to go through phases of drug abuse as the novel progresses. Eventually, he starts using heroin, which ends very badly for him. It is important to note that the book does not condone drug use. It does not even seem to suggest that drug use is fun, because Paul leads an incredibly boring life even while he is heavily under the influence. Instead, the author presents their use matter-of-factly, as though it represented an important truth about his generation. Paul even seems aware that he has a serious problem. He tells Erin numerous times that they are feeling depressed because...