Journal Entry #1: Candy

Kevin Brooks' novel, Candy, is full of self destruction and dangerous lifestyles. The quote, "I'm a whore, Joe. I go with men for money. I give the money to Iggy. He gives me drugs. That's all there is to it." from page 186 of the book, shows just how horrible Candy's life is. The main character, Joe, is sucked into this life when he tries to save Candy from drugs, from her pimp, Iggy, and ultimately, herself. The connecti0n I have made to this quote is it made me remember how hard it is to get out of something you know is bad for you, but its difficult because you've become accostomed to it. It made me realize that although Candy may want to clean up and start a new life, she doesn't want to make the effort and give up drugs, because it is familiar, and easy to remain the same. She doesn't want to change because it is difficult and unknown to her. Joe tries everything to help her, risking his and his family's life to rescue her from this drug-induced-coma of a life. She continues to just go through the motions and not stop to think about how it is effecting her. Joe provides her all the means to leave this life and start a new, but her actions depict that she is too unstable to stay with Joe and have a normal life. Joe's attempts to save Candy prove to help her start over, but in the end it is all in her hands. It goes to show you that even though you risk everything to help someone, they ultimately chose whether they are to be saved.