some reviews of "An Angry Fix"

"A wild, bleeding and passionate piece of work"

A.L. Kennedy

European Literary Award Winner

Encore Award Winner

Lannan Literary Award Winner

Costa Book of the Year Award Winner

"A vivid world of junky darkness"

"In "An Angry Fix", Omar Haboubi has created a vivid world of junky darkness inhabited by unique and memorable characters. The main character, Huck, leads us through his helter-skelter journey of nightmarish and, at times, touchingly moving encounters as he struggles with his demons and attempts to redeem himself. Unsettling, haunting and at times laugh out loud funny, this story remains with you long after the reading of it."

P.Henry

Writer/Director

Cannes International Film Festival Award Winner

BAFTA Award Winner

I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It’s easy. Just click “Edit Text” or double click me to add your own content and make changes to the font. Feel free to drag and drop me anywhere you like on your page. I’m a great place for you to tell a story and let your users know a little more about you.

"A brilliant, raw and compelling read"

"Haboubi's gripping debut novel, stimulates the reader to connect with Huck within the first few pages. The book's narrative style in the first person is delivered in a fast paced, yet fluid momentum that keep the pages turning without ever a moment of languor.

The protagonist's agonising inner turmoil is not only well imparted in a raw and self deprecatory fashion, but Haboubi also develops the script with depth, accurately depicting the repetitive -but never hackneyed- obsessive mantras and thought patterns that so effectively convey the trauma that underlies anxiety and addiction.

“An Angry Fix” weaves between a style that is both poetic and witty, with the book drawn to its conclusion, in an emotional crescendo of grief and passion.Haboubi is an authentic and talented author who clearly writes from the heart and I look forward to his future publications."

Omar Jayyusi

"Fast, Dark, Funny and Brilliant"

"Omar Haboubi has a true talent writing from the soul. I could not stop wondering if these characters really existed and if so... how they were doing. His fast words do a great job opening the doors to the worlds we often switch off with a remote.A brilliant writer with an insightful and honest approach on life's harsh realities."

Michele Lewis

"Can't wait for his next piece of work"

"The author seamlessly draws the reader into the world of addiction, self-deprivation, and emotional chaos. Huck's experiences are so vividly painted that the reader can feel his deep emotional and physical pain, taste the poisons as they repeatedly numb his throat and mind, smell the squalor of the alley ways he walks through, and feel the warmth of the bodies he touches. The author immediately hooked me with his powerful depiction of an addict's abyss. The book is well done and I truly look forward to reading more of his work."

Natasha S.

"Addictive"

"An irreverent insight in to the mind of a lonely guy's existential search for his missing pieces. Beaten down and unable to reconcile his wealth and privilege with his wretched experiences; disillusioned by a society that rewards an expensive suit over someone that fought in Vietnam; Huck is drawn instead to the disenfranchised and dispossessed.

It is his dysfunctional but `real' relationships with these prostitutes, homeless and junkies - all using each other to be either saved or damned - while accidentally finding bubbles of alternate truths and beauty - that are powerfully resonant to our schizophrenic modern-day values.

For me it is Huck's small displays of naivety and kindness that are so touching as they demonstrate a leveling of an unfair societal playing field and allow the reader to forgive him for all his apparent flaws as we follow him losing himself in the oblivion he finds at the bottom of a bottle. His alcoholism is as frustrating as his flagrant acceptance of his `weak', `pathetic' character for which he too easily blames society and his past but is measured by characteristics of self-awareness that, despite the copious amount of alcohol he drinks to forget, carries him inexorably on a journey of enlightenment as he scrapes for another existence.

His coping mechanisms other than alcohol oscillate from Buddhist writings on the wall of a toilet to the godly lyrics of Bob Dylan to the inspiration of a nameless woman wearing a shawl who possesses her words as he tries to forge his own as a writer and helps Huck make his own stab at possessing his life story. However, wearied by a loaded life, we are left wondering whether an old dog will ever learn new tricks.

Most remarkable about the novel is Haboubi's rhythmic spare prose that clads almost audible punches as Huck struggles with some of his most painful memories, his `fury' and philosophical musings. His writing is original, powerful and stylized mimicking the emotions that propel the startling pace right until the bitter end, and make this book so addictive."

Zoe

"Absolutely Must Read"

"From the moment I started reading this story, I was completely enthralled in Huck’s world. He reminded me of a modern day, older, and acutely darker Holden Caulfield. Omar Haboubi’s cadence moves you though this novel’s addictively unsettling and gritty story line in a way that compels the reader to explore Huck’s beautifully human-albeit painful and shadowy-perspective. I found myself passionately tearing through each chapter, at the edge of my seat, and when I was done, I felt like I had descended from an alternate reality that tipped my moral compass and provoked a landslide of insights. I’m hooked and can’t wait to see what Omar Haboubi has in store for us next."

Sara Van Norman

"A thrill to read"

"This book had me on the edge of my seat! It gives a real look in to the life of an alcoholic. It was witty and entertaining! The characters became real and I found myself caring about them. I very much enjoyed the dark humor and was captivated by the story. Haboubi has a writing style that is exciting and bold. This book was a thrill to read!"

Mary

"A real page turner"

"This was a truly powerful read, opening a door into the mind of the addict. With brutal realism and yet moments of dark humour, Haboubi delivers a roller coaster ride that I simply could not put down. I would highly recommend this book to anyone. Not for the feint hearted though."

Julien

"Gets better by the page"

"It took me a little while to get into the book because I found it so raw, savagely violent and painful to read. But I got pulled in and then couldn't stop reading - drawn into this story of Huck’s tormented existence in his personal hell of alcoholism, recurring suicidal feelings and the overall insanity of life that revolves around drinking, drugging and living with those similarly addicted. Haboubi takes the reader into the underbelly of humanity where desperation and exploitation go hand in hand. Huck is part of it, but boils with anger at the injustices and futility of it all. There is something very likable about this tormented man despite his often impulsive and questionable choices and behaviors. He really does have a good heart and a dark sense of humor. I found myself desperately wanting him to find his way out of this hellish cycle of drunken blackouts and mayhem, but fearing it might be too late – that his propensity for self-destruction would do him in. Haboubi’s writing style is fast paced and suits his characters well. He is a masterful writer and I look forward to seeing what is next from him."

Cheryl Bailey

"A Page Turner!"

"Omar Haboubi has created a character with an intriguing blend of honesty, self-deprivation and confidence. An Angry Fix follows Huck, a wanna-be writer who is sometimes lovable, sometimes despicable and oftentimes drunk. This book is most certainly a page turner that offers a unique perspective on just what might go through the mind of a self-admitted alcoholic. It's the mind of a man well aware of his struggles. An alcoholic no longer in denial and yet seemingly resigned to his fate, Huck journeys in and out, and in and out of other peoples lives, introducing us to interesting and engaging characters, each with their own imperfections. I thoroughly enjoyed An Angry Fix and recommend it to anyone looking for a raw and honest story."

Christopher R Weimer

"Fantastically moving"

"I was moved from start too finish. Haboubi has managed to capture the essence of active addiction perfectly. I felt Hucks incredible pain throughout. Haboubi gives us a profound look into a dark and fascinating world that society tends to turns a blind eye too.

Haboubi has created an in depth insight, with the character Huck and his various hangers on, into the perspective of an active alcoholic. Giving u an unbiased understanding of what lengths an addict will go to.

Hucks honesty about his alcoholism drawers you in. You feel as if your there with him, you feel his pain, you feel the cold bathroom floor on your cheek, the touch of Red on your arm, the burning of the whiskey down your throat. His total lack of control and utter frustration.

I randomly read this book whilst abroad on an extremely intense and emotional trip. I found it comfortingly grounding. A real reminder as to how fragile life is and how much we take it for granted.

I loved this book, the simple rawness of addiction. Very humbling."

Helen