In My Skin: A Memoir of Addiction - Softcover

It's a terrifying and compelling story . . . and gives you a tantalizing peek into a world we all hope never to experience. --Glamour Unflinching . . . Holden has an ear for rhythm and language. . . . Lyrical. --San Francisco Chronicle A chilling memoir of addiction that needs no embellishment. --Atlanta Journal-Constitution Achilling memoir of addiction that needs no embellishment. --Atlanta Journal-Constitution Tougherand truer [than the usual addiction memoir] . . . Her stubborn allegiance tothe truth of her experience and her refusal to accept conventional opinionsabout drugs and prostitution make In MySkin compelling. --Columbus Dispatch It sa terrifying and compelling story . . . and gives you a tantalizing peek into aworld we all hope never to experience. --Glamour Unflinching. . . Holden has an ear for rhythm and language. . . . Lyrical. --San Francisco Chronicle Tougher and truer [than the usual addiction memoir] . . . Her stubborn allegiance to the truth of her experience and her refusal to accept conventional opinions about drugs and prostitution make In My Skin compelling. --Columbus Dispatch

This is the frank, harrowing, and true story of one young woman's descent into addiction and prostitution, and the long arduous struggle to reclaim her life. A shy, bookish college graduate, a nice girl from a solid middle-class home but uncertain of her way in life, Kate Holden tried her first hit of heroin as a one-time experiment--an adventure with friends--but the drug took over. Hooked, she lost her job and her apartment, and she stole from her family. Desperation drove her onto the streets, where she became "Lucy," offering her body for cash to the first car to stop, risking arrest and, worse, the human predators--anything for her next fix. With her name on the police blotter, she eventually left the streets and offered her services to a high-class brothel. There she discovered hidden strengths, as well as parts of herself that frightened her. Throughout, however hurt and dismayed, her family never abandoned her, and their acceptance and unyielding love helped her defeat the drug and leave her netherworld behind. In taut, devastating prose, Kate Holden recounts her journey with an emotional honesty and genuineness that will leave no reader untouched.