Hubert Selby Jr.'s Requiem for a Dream is praised for its raw, unflinching portrayal of addiction and the human condition, with compelling, multi-faceted characters. The novel's intense, often distressing narrative is seen as both a strength and a drawback, challenging readers with its bleakness but lauded for its powerful impact.

Readers who appreciated the raw intensity and bleak realism of works like Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh or the dark, introspective narratives in American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis will find Requiem for a Dream by Hubert Selby Jr. compelling. The novel's unflinching look at addiction and despair makes it suitable for those drawn to profound and gritty literature.

Requiem for a Dream by Hubert Selby Jr. follows Harry Goldfarb, his mother Sara, his girlfriend Marion Kleinmeitz, and his best friend Tyrone C. Love as they struggle with drug addiction and its devastating consequences in Brooklyn. As they chase the American dream, their lives spiral out of control, showing the personal toll of addiction and its impact on their relationships and dreams. This book contains explicit depictions of drug use, addiction, mental illness, and various forms of violence.

Dark / Unnerving / Gritty / Melancholic / Emotional

- Hubert Selby Jr. originally titled the book "The Queen's Kingdom," but changed it to "Requiem for a Dream" to better reflect the themes of lost hope and ambition.
- The novel explores the impact of addiction on human desires and dreams and is notable for its unconventional writing style, including a lack of traditional punctuation and grammar.
- Requiem for a Dream was adapted into a critically acclaimed film directed by Darren Aronofsky in 2000, which further popularized the novel's poignant themes.

**Harry Goldfarb**  
A young Jewish New Yorker with a heroin addiction who lives in the city's underbelly, dreaming of a better life while frequently stealing his mother's possessions to fund his drug habit.

**Marion Kleinmeitz**  
An artistic and cultured young woman from a middle-class background who falls in love with Harry and dreams of opening a café and art space with him.

**Tyrone C. Love**  
Harry's light-hearted best friend and partner in dealing heroin, whose connections in the New York heroin scene help drive their initial success before things take a downturn.

**Sara Goldfarb**  
Harry's mother, a lonely widow who becomes addicted to diet pills after being invited to appear on a television program, signifying her desperate attempt to connect with the world.

Hubert Selby Jr.

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Requiem for a Dream Summary and Study Guide

Background

Requiem for a Dream Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-2

Requiem for a Dream Chapters 1-2 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 3 Requiem for a Dream Chapter 3 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 4-6

Requiem for a Dream Chapters 4-6 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 7-8

Requiem for a Dream Chapters 7-8 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 9 Requiem for a Dream Chapter 9 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

Requiem for a Dream Character Analysis

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Themes

Requiem for a Dream Themes

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Requiem for a Dream Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

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Requiem for a Dream Essay Topics

Requiem for a Dream: A Novel

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