Product Description

Wasted is about two sisters: Jasmine, a heroine addict, now clinically schizophrenic, and Abigail, her younger sister. Abigail tries to pave her own way by going to Sussex University, where she throws herself into student life with a mixture of confusion, apathy, drink and dope. Her friends in the hall are reminiscent of a young This Life crowd - except without the ambition, money and glamour. This drug- and drink-addled environment provides a foil to the heart of the novel: the complex relationship between the two sisters, their rivalry and their dependence on each other, and how Abigail feels it is her responsibility to save her sister's life. Mikki Goffin explores her subject, based on real life, with maturity, insight and honesty. This is a warm, funny, sad and moving book by an incredible new talent

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #146127 in Books
• Published on: 2001-08-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

From the Publisher
"Imagine Dodi Smith's I Capture the Castle remixed by Irvine Welsh and you have something of the flavour of this impressive first novel....Goffin, although only 24, is an accomplished and mature writer whose characters are entirely true to life - that she knows what she is writing about is evident from the first page...this is one of the best, most tender and heartfelt first novels I've read in years." Marie Claire, August Issue

From the Author
From the author, Mikki Goffin I started writing WASTED when I was 21, during my final year at University (in the lead-up to exams...how's that for good timing)!

The book is obviously very personal to me, as it is a tribute to my half-sister, who suffered from schizophrenia and drug-related problems for much of her life. Her death was therefore the major motivating factor and driving force behind the novel. Although there are parallels with my own experience, I must emphasise that it is not autobiographical ... especially certain scenes (shopping list, etc!)

On a serious note, I adored writing WASTED and it was definitely a 'purging' process - cathartic as well as creative. Mental illness is so deeply sad and isolating, and even more tragic for the lack of public understanding surrounding it. Although I am certainly no expert, mental illness tears apart many thousands of families every year, and my novel is an attempt to glean something positive from a tragedy that seemed so utterly negative, and hopefully others who have been through similar experiences might be able to relate to some of the issues it raises. I wanted to convey the harsh reality of a schizophrenic's suffering without making the book too hard-hitting or trivialising the subject in any way - this was something of a challenge, and I am aware that I may have misfired a little in places.

As mental health problems are so often linked to (or possibly caused by) drug abuse/addiction, I also wanted to highlight this widespread social problem, and have tried to show how easy it is to become a drug addict, often without even realising it. It was not my intention to either condone nor condemn the use of recreational drugs, but merely to reveal how the human weaknesses we all recognise within us can make us vulnerable and may lead to serious long-term problems. As one of the reviews rightly says, I have attempted to juxtapose the 'normal' madness of student life with the 'abnormal' mental turmoil of Jasmine, the true heroine of the story.

Getting feedback from readers is extremely important to me; I enjoy writing and naturally I hope that people enjoy reading what I write. This is my first effort and honest, constructive criticism is positively welcomed so I can take the advice on board and use it to improve and develop my writing. Er...glowing praise is equally well-received too of course!

Whatever you think of the book, I do hope that it at least made you aware of some of the terrible, intractable difficulties involved with the diagnosis, treatment and understanding of mental illness and how easy it is to fall into the trap of drug abuse.

One in four people will be affected by mental illness of some kind during their life, so a greater understanding can only be a good thing, and I hope this in turn will lead to greater compassion and insight.

Customer Reviews

A must read!
I bought this book when i presume just as it had been published. I'd never heard of Mikki Goffin, i hadn't read or heard anything about this book, but for some reason i was drawn to it on the shelf. I have to say it is one of the best books i have ever read, and being an english lit student i have read quite a few! Right from the outset, this book evokes emotion after emotion as you follow the lifes of Jasmine and Abigail Page. Jasmine who is 7 years older than Abi, she is a schizophrenic heroine addict, who is forever trying to clean up her life but keep falling back to the brink of almost death, but Abi is always there to bring her back. I think i have read this book about 4 times now, and im half way through it again, and everytime i read it it still makes me laugh and cry as it did the first time i read it. A fantastic literary debut for Goffin and i cant wait for her second book to be published.

Wasted - You won't waste your time reading this
I bought this because I thought it looked interesting. And it was. Its one of the only books that I have laughed out loud for ages at, and its both hilariously written and touching, emotive and sad all at the same time. The characters are endearing and you can't help but empathise and it got me so wrapped in the plot I missed my bus stop more times than enough. Brilliant book. Couldn't put it down.

FANTASTIC!!!!!
This book made me laugh hysterically and then sob for over an hour. I have read it three times and still absolutely love it.
The story focuses on Abigail who is at uni in Sussex, England, and tells of her sister's downward spiral into drug-induced schizophrenia.
This is an excellent book, one for which, Mikki Goffin should be immensely proud!