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The Basketball Diaries

The Classic About Growing Up Hip on New York's Mean Streets
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Basketball Diaries is the raw and unfiltered memoir of Jim Carroll’s turbulent early teens in 1960s New York City. Chronicling his life from ages 12 to 15, Carroll recounts his experience playing basketball, delving into drug addiction, theft, and searching for meaning amid urban chaos. The diary captures both the gritty realities and fleeting moments of hope as he navigates adolescence in a tough environment.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$4800

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This title is in-stock with overseas suppliers. While it is not available locally, we fly books in weekly from the US and UK to our Auckland warehouse for immediate dispatch.

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This memoir will resonate with readers interested in honest coming-of-age stories, especially those drawn to urban settings, sports, and memoirs focused on challenging youth experiences. It is suited for mature audiences due to its candid exploration of addiction and crime.

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The original classic story about growing up with drugs and sex and about learning to survive on the streets of New York--once again in print. An urban classic of coming of age.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The urban classic coming-of-age story about sex, drugs, and basketball

Jim Carroll grew up to become a renowned poet and punk rocker. But in this memoir of the mid-1960s, set during his coming-of-age from 12 to 15, he was a rebellious teenager making a place and a name for himself on the unforgiving streets of New York City. During these years, he chronicled his experiences, and the result is a diary of unparalleled candour that conveys his alternately hilarious and terrifying teenage existence.

Here is Carroll prowling New York Cityβ€”playing basketball, hustling, stealing, getting high, getting hooked, and searching for something pure. The Basketball Diaries was the basis for the film of the same name starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

"I met him in 1970, and already he was pretty much universally recognised as the best poet of his generation. . . . The work was sophisticated and elegant. He had beauty." β€” Patti Smith

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780140100181

Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 July 1987

Country: United States

Imprint: Penguin USA

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 13.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 181g

Pages: 224

About the Author

Jim Carroll’s bestselling memoir The Basketball Diaries was first released in 1978 and adapted as a film in 1995. Carroll’s work includes several collections of poetry as well as a asecond memoir, Forces Entries: The Downtown Diaries 1971-1973. As the leader of The Jim Carroll Band he released three albums as well as several spoken word recordings. He died in New York City on September 11, 2009.

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