I recently read Jessica McHugh's, "The Green Kangaroos" and I must admit it was one of the best horror books I have read in a long time.  There were times it was grotesque and down right ugly, but after all the extras were stripped away it was a very well-written portrayal of the two counterparts to addiction - the addict and the enabler. Many times the focus is always on the addict, a no doubt horrible tale for anyone who knows addiction on a personal level, but there is another dark side to addiction and that is the desperate, often irrational behavior of the co-dependent partner.

 

McHugh does a fantastic job creating this alternate world where addicts will literally sell pieces of their flesh for a hit of atlys. This drug, unlike any other, is Perry Sampson's only reason for living, and his beloved little sister will not stop at nothing to "save" him from his own dark demise. The story is great and there are many twists and turns. In my opinion it's a mix of "Total Recall" and "Go Ask Alice" on steroids. It's a dark read, but an incredibly captivating one. 

 

The ending is quite surprising and in my opinion truly shows you a deeper side of addiction.  I highly recommend this book.  Even though it is set in an obscure terrifying version of Baltimore, it is relatable. In the end, we all know a green kangaroo, or perhaps some of us are the green kangaroos.