Clean by Juno Dawson (Review) – A tough read about addiction, self-destruction and guilt

After being on my tbr for way too long I finally read ‘Clean’ by Juno Dawson. I had my sister “import” it from New York as I couldn’t get it in my local bookstore. It was all I had hoped for; tough and real but still with its bright moments. It is a read about addiction, self-destruction and guilt. Tread carefully, here comes my full review.

In ‘Clean’ by Juno Dawson one follows Alexandria Volkov aka Lexi on her way to recovery. Lexi is a drug addict and is put in a rehabilitation centre by her older brother against her will. In this centre one follows her through the 10 steps of recovery; first admitting you have a problem. In this centre Lexi is met with new people, challenges and passion. Lexi learns there is more to addictions than drugs…

‘Clean’ is a YA contemporary fiction which deals with many themes. As mentioned, addition, but also grief and guilt. One follows Lexi’s struggles, at first the physical withdrawal symptoms and then later the more mental ones. Lexi has to deal with the grief and guilt she feels and has surpressed for years. This book is about accepting oneself with all that it withholds.

This book is also about love, about all the shapes and forms it takes; parents love, siblings love and toxic love. It asks the question, how do you know and recognise love when you hate yourself and isn’t mentally well? Lexis tries to solve this question together with many others.

The plot and characters gripped me from the begging to the end. It is ironically a very addictive read. I was especially fond of the wide spectre of characters. Although, they all weren’t that great written. Some were more cliché than others, but a lot of them seemed genuine with both good and bad sides which gives them humanity. As much as I liked this book it may not be for everyone. Tread carefully as this is a book that deals with many mental illnesses such as ODC, anorexia, overeating and drug abuse.

I will recommend this book to anyone who shows an interest in books about mental health, like diverse characters, and can’t read a book without some love interest (like me 😉 ).

Best,
Nicoline

Have you read Clean? What are your thoughts on it? What is your favourite book on mental health?

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I can feel it swimming through my veins like glitter … it’s liquid gold. When socialite Lexi Volkov almost overdoses, she thinks she’s hit rock bottom. She’s wrong. Rock bottom is when she’s forced into an exclusive rehab facility. From there, the only way is up for Lexi and her fellow inmates, including the mysterious Brady. As she faces her demons, Lexi realises love is the most powerful drug of all … 

Synopsis from Goodreads