Marvin D. Wilson is a fairly average looking fellow. Great smile, youthful, twinkling eyes, but if you passed him in a crowd he’d pass as a fairly typical fifty-something-year-old grandfather. If I told you that only three years ago he’d been a strung-out crack-head who’d lost his family and nearly his life, you’d be amazed – I was. I Romanced the Stone is the title bestowed upon Wilson’s tell-all account of his rapid descent into drug addiction as well as his subsequent deliverance from it.
From hippie to Buddhist minister and successful entrepreneur, Wilson lays out the background for his fall by relaying the worldview and beliefs that eventually led to his slippery slide into full-blown dependency. With his trademark tongue-in-cheek humor Wilson relates his condescending views of the “Just Say No” war against drugs, yuppies, capitalism, Jesus etc. Life is good for him, secure in his own prejudices, financially comfortable. A sudden economic crisis followed by depression, an extra-marital affair with a prostitute and a single hit from a crack-pipe quickly send his life into a downward spiral.
With a deep desire to expose the dangers of crack cocaine, Wilson delves into the depths of the desperation and depravity he experienced while avoiding graphic details. Readers are made aware of his adultery, the lengths he went to for a hit, the frequency, size of stones and the stupendous difficulties faced while coming clean. Already somewhat familiar with Wilson’s written work through his blog, I was shocked to read his, “five minutes out, holla atcha when I’m gettin’ short.” Somehow I can’t picture him saying that, but then again the man I read now is a completely different fellow from the one he was then.
Wilson does spare us from graphic sex scenes and excessive cursing (though it is used for emphasis, the actual usages must have been much higher.) It should be noted that descriptions of the consumption of crack cocaine are shared with enough detail to enable readers to pick up the 'works' - the paraphernalia required to smoke rock cocaine - themselves. The utmost emphasis must be placed upon Wilson’s admonition in the preface, “NEVER TAKE THAT FIRST HIT!” If you know or suspect that a loved one is succumbing to addiction, I advise you read I Romanced the Stone immediately. The first hand account will enable you to watch for signs of dependence and respond firmly and lovingly.
Article comments
1 - Jeannie Danna
Jennifer,I wish Marvin Wilson had not used the word 'Hippie" in the tittle of this book! I came out of the seventies myself and crack-cocaine has nothing to do with being a "Hippie" in my opinion anyway.
I hate the way corporate America stole all the things they liked about the 'Hippie movement" clothes,jewelery,posters,incense..and SOLD them back to us. walk into any mall and the chain "head shops" are there while leaving all the truly great things about being a "Hippie" in the dust..Loving and caring for each other no matter what the color of your skin was or how much money you possessed. Drug use as I recall was primarily pot(not much stronger than a drink!) although some went on to harder substances and even that is a personal choice in a free society(if only we were free!) I will have to visit Marvin Wilson's blog thanks for peaking my interest. Jeannie :)
2 - Bill Sherman
While, I agree with Jeannie, it's an unfortunate fact that the word "hippie" has degraded via politically motivated misuse to a much broader stereotype. (It wasn't just pot, though, but hallucinogens that were part and partial of the hippie movement, though you're correct in noting that crack cocaine years away from the hippie era.) Still, I wish he'd used a word like "Stoner" in the title.
3 - roger nowosielski
Well, the reason is simple. The dominant culture had to put a spin on counter-culture.