First published 1979
Tommy discovers a world beyond his suburban upbringing when he encounters the underground drug scene of the late seventies. The mushrooms open doors he never knew existed, but they also blur the lines between revelation and delusion. As Tommy navigates relationships with dealers, fellow travelers, and straight society, he must decide whether the insights gained through altered consciousness are worth the risks to his sanity and future. His journey takes him from college dorms to communes to the edge of psychological breakdown. The story explores how a generation sought meaning through chemical transcendence while struggling to maintain connections to ordinary life. Tommy's search for authentic experience becomes a test of whether expanded awareness can coexist with responsibility and love.
Genres: fiction, addiction, coming-of-age, contemporary, psychological-thriller
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, fish-out-of-water, self-discovery
Setting: College Dorms, Communes
Period: Late 1970s
Paperback · Pocket
Content warnings: drug-use