Go Now

by Richard Hell

Book Overview

On the road with the Blank Generation, Go Now takes readers on a wild trip across the country and into the head of a down-on-his-luck punk musician.

Billy, a burnt-out, drug- and sex-addicted punk musician, sets out with his erstwhile French girlfriend, Chrissa, on a cross-country writing assignment that turns into a ricocheting, brain-searing, agonizing head trip.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0684832771
• ISBN13: 9780684832777
• Release Date: June 1997
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 4.9" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Not perfect but resplendent

I have read this book twice and I sometimes open it at random just to get the feeling and human excitement the writing brings to me. I grant you it's not perfect. There is some sloppiness and places where he goes too far, but this book is mesmerizing and lovely. I see that some of the reviewers seem to resent a person who is a rock and roll musician publishing a book of fiction. Well it so happens that Patti Smith IS a remarkable writer, and so is Richard Hell. (So is Jim Carroll for that matter -- it's his rock and roll that's doubtful. Same goes for Patti Smith in my opinion.) People also resent writing that deals with drug users. The lead character in this book is a drug addict -- yearning to get free of it -- but the book is about being human, in other words having animal drives that are contrary to one's ideals. It's sexy too. But even more it's about perception. The book's insights are as deep as any novel that's appeared in thirty years. You should read it.

Excellent.

I must confess I bought this book after becoming completely infatuated with Richard Hell and books about heroin. I've read both "Junkie" by William S. Burroughs and "Go Now" and I just have to admit I liked this book better that the two. The choice of words and poetic prose make this book both make you want to cry at the beauty the main character (Billy) sees and feels, and yet can also thrum up feelings of utter disgust, and I love this book for that. Thank you, Richard Hell, for such an amazing book.

An articulate tour of Hell and degradation

The fasciniating thing about Go Now is the fact that it lacks the elements that so many "struggling junky artist" stories seem to use as a crutch: any kind of apology, regret, or pity. Hell exercises the same brilliance and articulation of his lyrics with the Voidoids and Dim Stars in this cut-and-dried, action/reaction novel set in the life of a decadent early eighties NYC junky musician.. a subject Hell, sadly, knows a little about. This book is neither weak nor dull; neither is the author's mind.

"we are the truth"

this book was amazing and beautiful. almost poetic in all of it's disgusting and lovely ways. the way things are taken, meditated on, disected, and explained is talent on richard hell's part. it's a great novel. and i think everyone should be exposed to it. have a chance to read it.

Go Now felt so real, so gutsy? yet extremely down to earth

Richard Hell really knows how to write. This book made me feel just like I was on the road (and in the motels) with the characters. I could actually feel the undeniable pain of BillyŠ his craving for junk, his craving for sex. I read the book in one sitting, not realizing at all that I was doing so. It is so brutally honest and skillfully crafted that you simply must believe in its utter realism. One great read to recommend to anyone who might like music, sex, drugs or just plain good writing. Thank you, Mr. Hell