Ride

by Andrew Lafleche

A raw, unfiltered descent into the chaos of youth.

Troy is a small-town teenager spiraling through drugs, violence, and heartbreak in early-2000s Ontario. Between therapy sessions, skate parks, and back-alley highs, he tells his story with brutal honesty and a dark, biting sense of humor. What begins as rebellion turns into a freefall through addiction, betrayal, and self-discovery.

Equal parts confession and collapse, Ride delivers the intensity of Trainspotting and Fight Club with a distinctly Canadian grit. Lafleche’s voice cuts deep — poetic, dangerous, and impossible to ignore — exposing the blurred line between survival and self-destruction.

For readers who love gritty coming-of-age fiction, transgressive realism, and psychological drama, Ride is a gut-punch of a novel that lingers long after the last page.

“He’s like a surgeon with a shotgun.” — Quiet Lunch Magazine
“Echoes Trainspotting with Canadian accents.” — Gerald Arthur Moore

Genres: Fiction

Kindle Edition

First published September 8, 2020

About the author

ANDREW JOHN LAFLECHE (born Andrew John Bradford: 24 June 1986) is the award-winning poet and novelist from St. Catharines, Ontario. He served under Operation Enduring Freedom during the Afghanistan War. Following his duty as an infantry soldier in the Canadian Armed Forces, Lafleche received an M.A. in Creative and Critical Writing from the University of Gloucestershire. He is inspired by the philosophy that when young men become readers, they become better men.

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Reviews

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the heart-wrenching work of Andrew Lafleche's "Ride," we are ushered into a stark and unforgiving reality, where addiction becomes a relentless specter that haunts the afflicted and those who love them. This searing novel, set in the early 2000s in St. Catharines, Ontario, is a raw and unapologetic portrayal of one young man's tumultuous journey through the abyss of addiction.

High school has faded into memory, and Troy Brinkman stands at the precipice of adulthood -- where the choices that are made can define a lifetime. The weight of his past mistakes looms heavily as an ex-girlfriend's pregnancy bears the burden of his own transgressions. It is in this turbulent juncture that we meet Troy, a young man teetering on the edge, desperately grasping for control in a world spiraling out of control.

Moving out of his parent's home becomes a journey into moral entropy, where every pill, every line, and every drink is a fleeting escape from the relentless pull of addiction. Lafleche paints a vivid, at times gut-wrenching, portrait of a generation steeped in self-indulgence, where the quest for the next high becomes an all-consuming pursuit.

Amid the haze of substance abuse, Troy seeks solace in the chaos of parties, strip clubs, and bars. It is a futile attempt to evade the harsh reality of his best friend's suicide attempt, a dark shadow that looms over his life. Yet, in the midst of this binge-fueled existence, there is a fragile thread that ties him to his former self -- the love he holds for his ex-girlfriend, Danielle.

This love is the anchor to Troy's past and the compass to his future, that becomes his salvation and his crucible. The struggle to rekindle his feelings for Danielle becomes a battle for his soul, one that could either lead him to redemption or plunge him further into the abyss.

In "Ride," we find a contemporary echo of the counterculture novels of the 1960s, a visceral and unrelenting odyssey through the lives of those haunted by their own excesses. Lafleche's narrative is an unflinching portrayal of a world saturated with nihilism, loneliness, and the relentless pursuit of self-gratification. As we journey through the darkest recesses of addiction and self-destruction, we are reminded of the echoes of Hunter S. Thompson, Charles Bukowski, and Jack Kerouac in Lafleche's gritty and unapologetic exploration of a world marked by excess, black comedy, and a quest for meaning.

"Ride" is a haunting narrative that explores the human spirit's resilience and capacity for redemption, even in the face of overwhelming despair. It's a story that will resonate with those who have battled addiction, those who love them, and anyone seeking a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness. Andrew Lafleche's novel reminds us that even in the depths of addiction, there is the potential for redemption and the possibility of finding one's way back to the light.

"An unflinching portrait of addiction's gripping abyss -- 'Ride' will haunt your thoughts."

"Andrew Lafleche's 'Ride' -- A heart-wrenching odyssey through the shadows of addiction."

"A raw and unapologetic dive into the depths of a troubled soul."

"Troy Brinkman's journey: A poignant exploration of addiction's harsh realities."

"A tale of despair and hope in the face of addiction's clutches."

"An authentic narrative that echoes the dark realities of addiction."

"A gripping chronicle of one young man's battle with inner demons."

"Andrew Lafleche's 'Rise' -- A gritty and unforgettable exploration of self destruction."

"Witness the resilience of the human spirit amidst addiction's darkness."

"A harrowing memoir that leaves a lasting impression."

[Huguette · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

The author does a good job depicting an unlikable, self-centred character whose only interest is his next high — could be booze, could be drugs, could be sex. I can’t say that I would recommend it but that’s only because I can’t empathize with the main character. I expect things to end up badly for him.

If you’re looking for a quick, gritty, unflinching read, you might enjoy this Ride.

2.5 stars but I couldn’t bring myself to round it up.

[Renee DeMoranville · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book as the title suggests is a ride. I went up and down from feeling bad for Troy, to hating him. It does show the reality of a junkie. There is no sugar coating it most drug addicts don’t have a great life to start from that’s why they turn to drugs. At the end the ride simply is over and now you have to pay.

[Marina Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, wow, that was a lot to ingest. I was confused for a bit of this book but the parts i did understand were just wow. These are some serious topics that definitely need to be talked about. And I’m glad I read this, it gave me a whole new insight on a some very important topics.

[Susanna Froese · Rating 2 out of 5]

The importance of the subject matter was not lost on me but the writing was so repetitive. I got bored and started skimming over the pages to get to the end of the book.

I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.

[Daniella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I imagine the ladies room at the bar is graffitied with "Troy is a f*uckboy".

[Talisa Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting. Not bad but different what I normally read

[Bryanna Minick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book definitely takes you on a ride! A very unique lesson and it reminds me of all the mischief the kids I knew growing up get it! Kept me wanting to know what happens next! Loved this!

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, engaging read. I find feeling like I want to reach into the pages and hug or slap the shit out of the characters a good thing. Thanks for the Ride, which it was indeed.

[Kelsey Rhodes · Rating 1 out of 5]

1/5 stars! It felt like the author was just trying to prove he was smarter than the reader and rub their face in it. The language choices were dismissive and uppity. No thank you.

[Katarina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to Goodreads for choosing me as one of the giveaway winners I really do appreciate it.
I couldn't read or finish this book I tried I really did, but the way this book talked about women and just everything in this book I could't really get into it. I got why this book was important and the subjects in this book was important but I just could not get into it. There were also parts in this book where I was just a little confused. I gave this book to one of the little libraries in my city, I hope someone else loves it and enjoys reading it.

[Connie Gatzke · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* What a ride! A tale of one long drug induced trip. I found this book to be both engaging and entertaining. Overall it was an interesting read, although at times I was both disturbed and disgusted.
Thank you to Goodreads giveaway for the opportunity to take this Ride.