SARAH

I havent read a book in a long time. In fact, haven't heard of author Laura Albert until recently viewing the film adaptation of The Heart Is Decietful Above All Things. Then decided to check out this JT Leroy fella (who really isn't a fella which caused a huge uproar from fans). Downloaded the kindle version of Sarah which I surprisingly finished. That's probably the biggest compliment, because I could never stick a book. It was that appealing to me.Miss Albert deserves a lot of credit. She delves into a world that most are either unaware of or choose to ignore. She's just the person you'd want to represent that, being a victim of child abuse (physically, sexually, and emotionally). It's my belief that people tend to overlook those things because of how depressing they are. They don't want to know. From my understanding, Sarah is an easier book to digest than The Heart because it's more humorous. In fact, alot of the characters are more likeable. Even had quite a few laughs.That's not to say there aren't any disturbing moments. It kind of comes with the territory. The second half of the novel is where it gets darker.Its a quick read (166 pages), but doesnt feel rushed. The content is whats really important. If the content is good and story written well, sometimes you wont even realize. All the little details have charm and even put a smile on my face. This dark world can surprisingly feel welcoming. The book talks alot about the diner Cherry Vanilla goes to back home (even mentions the kind of meals served).There are alot of similarities with The Heart. Jeremiah's relationship with Sarah mirrors Cherry Vanilla's relationship with Sarah. The scene where Jeremiah seduces his mother's boyfriend is another example. It seems to me Laura Albert has a thing for identity, and how it can be taken from you.I really enjoyed Sarah, and despite its disturbing side can be quite fun. It's definitly not for kids, though I'd say could be fine for someone over sixteen. The Heart Is Decietful Above All Things is probably a different story.

This is a very disturbing book. It is difficult to separate the novel from the myth of LeRoy himself. It is autobiographical fiction, but I'm not exactly sure where the autobiography ends and the fiction begins. LeRoy was a fourteen year old street-hustler whose therapist recommended he turn to writing in order to deal with his issues. He was put in touch with figures in the literary community, such as his hero, Dennis Cooper. He was first published at 16 and at 19 he wrote the novel Sarah.The book reveals a world I never knew existed (and now that I know, I'd like to forget). Apparently, there is quite a trade in child prostitution for truck drivers in West Virginia. The narrator is just one of those characters. Pre-pubescent, his mother Sarah is a prostitute and soon he (known as Cherry Vanilla) is indoctrinated as well. (This is nothing new to him as his mother's Johns have been molesting him as well.) The wrinkle is that he has to dress up to look like a girl. The story does bare a resemblance to Oliver Twist - instead of child pickpockets, they are child prostitutes. However, the drama of this story merely entails the escape from the "bad" pimp to the "good" pimp.Don't expect an overly happy ending for the book, but at least we know LeRoy's own life is turning out better. If you are interested I highly recommend viewing his homepage at [...] to get a better understanding of him (there is some speculation as to the veracity of his claims). LeRoy is now friends with many people in the entertainment industry and both his books are being made into movies.I was troubled with some of the cavalier blurbs on the book, as if it were a lighthearted romp. True there are funny moments but the world described is hell. I had trouble sleeping at night considering the implications of Sarah. Anyone who's seen Mystic River knows that victims of child abuse never really escape. If the author of this book really went through something like this, then the powers of human healing are truly miraculous indeed.

Pretty underwhelming. How anyone believed this was based on a true story I don’t know. I could accept it as a fantasy written by someone who had some similar experiences, but it lacks any kind of depth. It is not all bad, this lack of depth does lend itself to the idea of a teenage novice writer and there are moments where the writer appears to relate at least to the emotions of the circumstances. However i feel if it were a teenage novice writer who had written this it would have a rawer rougher more authentic feel. It would most likely be good. This is not good, the writer is not skilled enough (in my opinion) to take on this character and convey them with anything other than superficial voyeuristic engagement. It reads like something that is neither experienced Nor more importantly researched by the author.

It’s fair to say that a subject matter of rent boys, pimps, parking lots and racoon penis bones SHOULD sit uncomfortably with the reader, but that should be your weakest reason for not giving this book a try.I’m not going to give a run through of the characters or aspects of the story, as approaching this novel with a clear mind is perhaps more beneficial. The reader will then be rewarded with a book which reads like a modern western, as the characters are deep and broken, the locations dirty and unforgiving and the dialogue is honest and brief. People only say what needs to be said.The moral I took from this book, is that regardless of how low a fellow human’s life appears to be, or actually is, the desire to prove ourselves or achieve something lies within us all.

A superb writer. Behind the Holywood facade of JT Leroy is a brilliant author...and with thanks to 'JT Leroy' her books are here with us today. Be sure to check out Laura Albert's other books too! They provide an unique reading experience with an interesting style of language use!Also, watch the documentary with Laura Dern as Laura Albert, such an intriguing story.

I was presented this book as part of a reading list for one of my modules that I am taking. Our lecturer allowed us to continue with it after reading the extract she gave us, if we do wished to due to the topic of the book.I am so happy I did. The story manages to envoke so many different emotion throughout reading, whilst still engaging the audience with the wonderfully written characters! It is a real page turner, and I did not realise how the time flew whilst reading it, as I got so engrossed with the narrative and characters!I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who was to branch out into a different style and genre of reading. Although Sarah is shocking at times, it is well worth a read!

Purchased for a friend after reading it myself. They don't know what to make of it...! Top marks.