The Sex Girl: A Novel

by Alice Carbone

When she arrived in Los Angeles in 1994, one month after the Northridge quake and two years after the riots, both K and LA were in need of some repairs and renovations. Told through stories recalled and journals found, K's life unfolds to reveal the demons that followed her to this new city and the events that brought them to the surface. With a sense of impending tragedy, Alice Carbone's fresh take on the drug addiction novel unpacks the density of a single person's story and in doing so earns a place amongst the tortured junkies of literature. Laced with humor, tragedy, sex, and love, The Sex Girl brings forth a new and exciting literary voice.

Genres: Fiction

280 pages, Paperback

First published April 20, 2015

Reviews

[Lynx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told from the perspective of friends & old journal entries we learn the story of K, a young woman battling many demons who self medicates with sex and drugs while also struggling through anorexia.

Because of the subject matter it should be no surprise that this book is a difficult read. What kept me going was Alice's beautiful, descriptive prose, and brutal honesty. Another wonderful element is the way Carbone uses music to guide you through the journey, beginning every chapter with a song. I made a point to try to listen to as many as I could as I read through and it definitely helped to enrich the story.

My co-host Chanty and I discussed this book, as well as the author on an episode of Muses and Stuff. This book isn't for everyone, but Carbone's talent is undeniable and I hope she continues to write.

[Colleen Wainwright]

Really takes you to that dark place of addiction—specifically, drugs, alcohol, bulimia, and sex. Especially impressive in that the author (full disclosure: Alice is a friend of mine) is not writing in her native Italian.

[Megalion · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, but distinctly unmemorable.

[Jana Hamilton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great writing. Dark story.

I kept reading in hopes that something life-changing would happen. It did, but not until The very end. Not my cup of teas.

[Tiffany H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read my review on my blog: https://musicallyyourstiffany.wordpre...