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Black Girl Lost
In this shocking novel of a young girl alone on the streets, Goines delves into yet another facet of the ghetto experience-the dark, despair-ridden world of a black girl s soul! Sandra took to the streets when she was eight years old and tried to fight off the hunger pangs by shoplifting and moving into the profits of drug pushing. The she met Chink and discovered love and affection...and rape and murder!
208 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1973
About the author
Donald Goines
27 books724 followersDonald Goines was born in Detroit to a relatively comfortable family - his parents owned a local dry cleaner, and he did not have problems with the law or drugs. Goines attended Catholic elementary school and was expected to go into his family's laundry business. Instead Goines enlisted in the US Air Force, and to get in he had to lie about his age. From 1952 to 1955 he served in the armed forces. During this period he got hooked on heroin. When he returned to Detroit from Japan, he was a heroin addict.
The next 15 years from 1955 Goines spent pimping, robbing, stealing, bootlegging, and running numbers, or doing time. His seven prison sentences totaled 6.5 years. While in jail in the 1960s he first attempted to write Westerns without much success - he loved cowboy movies. A few years later, serving a different sentence at a different prison, he was introduced to the work of Iceberg Slim (Robert Beck). This time Goines wrote his semi-autobiographical novel Whoreson, which appeared in 1972. It was a story about the son of a prostitute who becomes a Detroit ghetto pimp. Also Beck's first book, Pimp: The Story of My Life (1967), was autobiographical. Goines was released in 1970, after which he wrote 16 novels with Holloway House, Iceberg Slim's publisher. Hoping to get rid of surroundings - he was back on smack - he moved with his family to the Los Angeles ghetto of Watts.
All of Goines's books were paperback originals. They sold well but did not receive much critical attention. After two years, he decided to return to Detroit. Goines's death was as harsh as his novels - he and his wife were shot to death on the night of October 21, 1974. According to some sources Goines's death had something to do with a failed drugs deal. The identity of the killers remained unknown, but there were reports of "two white men". Posthumously appeared Inner City Hoodlum (1975), which Goines had finished before his death. The story, set in Los Angeles, was about smack, money, and murder.
The first film version of Goines's books, Crime Partners (2001), was directed by J. Jesses Smith. Never Die Alone (1974), about the life of a drug dealer, was filmed by Ernest R. Dickerson, starring DMX. The violent gangsta movie was labelled as "junk masquerading as art."
During his career as a writer, Goines worked to a strict timetable, writing in the morning, devoting the rest of the day to heroin. His pace was furious, sometimes he produced a book in a month. The stories were usually set in the black inner city, in Los Angeles, New York or Detroit, which then was becoming known as 'motor city'. In Black Gangster (1972) the title character builds a "liberation" movement to cover his planned criminal activities. After this work Goines started to view the social and political turmoil of the ghetto as a battlefield between races.
Under the pseudonym Al C. Clark, Goines created a serial hero, Kenyatta, who was named after the 'father of Kenya', Jomo Kenyatta. The four-book series, beginning with Crime Partners (1974), was published by Holloway House. Kenyatta is the leader of a militant organization which aims at cleaning American ghettos of drugs and prostitution. All white policemen, who patrol the black neighborhoods, also are his enemies. Cry Revenge! (1974) tells of Curtis Carson, who is tall, black, and used to giving orders. He becomes the nightmare of the Chicanos, who have crushed his brother. Death List (1974) brings together Kenyatta, the powerful ganglord, Edward Benson, an intelligent black detective, and Ryan, his chisel-faced white partner, in a war against a secret list of drug pushers. In the fourth book, Kenyatta's Last Hit (1975), the hero is killed in a shootout.
The next 15 years from 1955 Goines spent pimping, robbing, stealing, bootlegging, and running numbers, or doing time. His seven prison sentences totaled 6.5 years. While in jail in the 1960s he first attempted to write Westerns without much success - he loved cowboy movies. A few years later, serving a different sentence at a different prison, he was introduced to the work of Iceberg Slim (Robert Beck). This time Goines wrote his semi-autobiographical novel Whoreson, which appeared in 1972. It was a story about the son of a prostitute who becomes a Detroit ghetto pimp. Also Beck's first book, Pimp: The Story of My Life (1967), was autobiographical. Goines was released in 1970, after which he wrote 16 novels with Holloway House, Iceberg Slim's publisher. Hoping to get rid of surroundings - he was back on smack - he moved with his family to the Los Angeles ghetto of Watts.
All of Goines's books were paperback originals. They sold well but did not receive much critical attention. After two years, he decided to return to Detroit. Goines's death was as harsh as his novels - he and his wife were shot to death on the night of October 21, 1974. According to some sources Goines's death had something to do with a failed drugs deal. The identity of the killers remained unknown, but there were reports of "two white men". Posthumously appeared Inner City Hoodlum (1975), which Goines had finished before his death. The story, set in Los Angeles, was about smack, money, and murder.
The first film version of Goines's books, Crime Partners (2001), was directed by J. Jesses Smith. Never Die Alone (1974), about the life of a drug dealer, was filmed by Ernest R. Dickerson, starring DMX. The violent gangsta movie was labelled as "junk masquerading as art."
During his career as a writer, Goines worked to a strict timetable, writing in the morning, devoting the rest of the day to heroin. His pace was furious, sometimes he produced a book in a month. The stories were usually set in the black inner city, in Los Angeles, New York or Detroit, which then was becoming known as 'motor city'. In Black Gangster (1972) the title character builds a "liberation" movement to cover his planned criminal activities. After this work Goines started to view the social and political turmoil of the ghetto as a battlefield between races.
Under the pseudonym Al C. Clark, Goines created a serial hero, Kenyatta, who was named after the 'father of Kenya', Jomo Kenyatta. The four-book series, beginning with Crime Partners (1974), was published by Holloway House. Kenyatta is the leader of a militant organization which aims at cleaning American ghettos of drugs and prostitution. All white policemen, who patrol the black neighborhoods, also are his enemies. Cry Revenge! (1974) tells of Curtis Carson, who is tall, black, and used to giving orders. He becomes the nightmare of the Chicanos, who have crushed his brother. Death List (1974) brings together Kenyatta, the powerful ganglord, Edward Benson, an intelligent black detective, and Ryan, his chisel-faced white partner, in a war against a secret list of drug pushers. In the fourth book, Kenyatta's Last Hit (1975), the hero is killed in a shootout.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 264 reviews
January 3, 2025
Gripping tale of neglected young girl struggling to survive. Her mother, a raging alcoholic, basically leaves Sandra to the streets to raise herself. The sad part is, the girl has potential, evidenced by her taking the initiative to secure a job to take care of herself and choosing not to steal to obtain things she wants. Chance, however, intervenes and throws a monkey wrench into the girl's life. She slowly strays from a path of potential and possibilities to one with rape and murder...but she also finds the strongest love in the world. I read this book in about 2 1/2 hours, couldn't put it down. It's just a well-written, but typical tale of life on the mean streets. It's unfortunate, but this fictional story holds a lot of truth as to how bad things can be for some. I like Goines' writing style because you feel as if you are there, but it's not overly elaborate, wordy or long-winded. Although it's a street tale, there's not a whole lot of unnecessary violence,cursing, and slang in an effort to make it seem more credible. In some books, it is sooo over done it seems corny. I would read more Goines for my urban tale fix, rather than some of the more modern writers.
April 28, 2022
Short book
Full of terrible language
Graphic sex
Full of terrible language
Graphic sex
April 2, 2015
I read this book in one day -- and I worked and had an evening activity! I haven't read a book in a day in years. The story drew me in and kept my interest till the end.
This is not a book for the faint of heart. It includes rape. Many objectionable activities are rationalized. This is a story that deals with such extreme poverty that an 8 year old doesn't eat for 5 days, and how the sale of drugs is connected to violent crime.
I wish I had time to go through the novels I've read and summarize the moral code of the people at the heart of the book. Black Girl Lost starts with a morality of "staying alive" despite devastating hardship, but when the drug culture becomes part of the plot, the result is feelings of high romance and ultimate revenge. Many who are in prison because of drugs will recognize Chink's moral code. Will they analyze its outcome?
The choice of Bahni Turpin as narrator was inspired. I expected a distinctly African American male voice and was surprised when I heard her read the book -- but she had exactly the tone that this audio book needed.
This is not a book for the faint of heart. It includes rape. Many objectionable activities are rationalized. This is a story that deals with such extreme poverty that an 8 year old doesn't eat for 5 days, and how the sale of drugs is connected to violent crime.
I wish I had time to go through the novels I've read and summarize the moral code of the people at the heart of the book. Black Girl Lost starts with a morality of "staying alive" despite devastating hardship, but when the drug culture becomes part of the plot, the result is feelings of high romance and ultimate revenge. Many who are in prison because of drugs will recognize Chink's moral code. Will they analyze its outcome?
The choice of Bahni Turpin as narrator was inspired. I expected a distinctly African American male voice and was surprised when I heard her read the book -- but she had exactly the tone that this audio book needed.
July 13, 2024
This is the third book by Goines I’ve read and like the others it’s incredibly bleak. What stops its relentless, unflinching depiction of the lives of its impoverished black characters feeling exploitative is the book’s verisimilitude and heart.
June 25, 2011
So you know this lost black girl will have a bad end before you ever crack the spine. The "Rape and Murder!" -- do not omit the exclamation point -- right on the cover kinda drives that point home. And in a quick 184 pages we get hunger, deep poverty, shoplifting, the possibility of rape, some rape, unquestionable rape, crack dealing, crack using, theft, child abuse, alcoholism, juvie, murder with a gun, a knife, bare hands, police brutality and probably some other stuff I'm not remembering right now, but believe me it was some bad times. Like a ghetto Romeo and Juliet, the purity of love is snuffed too soon by hot tempers and the urge for bloody revenge. Despite all the hellish conditions and criminal hijinks, there is time to get to know and appreciate Sandra and her monkeylove, Chink. But there is simply no way to make me comfortable with her habit of calling her 16-year-old boyfriend "Daddy"; That may have been the hardest thing for me to stomach.
Goines wrote nine novels in the same year that he wrote Black Girl Lost, 16 novels in only a five-year span. Some of it was written in prison and some of it was while he was using heroin. He died of a gunshot wound, presumably from a drug deal gone wrong. I mention all of this because I think it's important to note that Goines is pretty much an expert on ghetto life, and his novels are nothing if not honest. Sensational, yes, but also insightful. Goines was a Detroit-born, heroin-addicted thief, smuggler, pimp and numbers runner, but at the same time he was aware enough to paint a picture of purity and innocence that was his character Sandra, and how her life could have been beautiful if not for the scourge that fed on her family and community. He clearly points to the choices Sandra made and that were made for her that caused her own ruin. And that's what's so fascinating -- this man on the inside pulling all the stitches out so we can see how it all came together. And because of that I think this is important reading for any young person intrigued by black urban culture and the temptations of easy money. Perhaps there's a glimpse here and there of triumph and victory for our thug hero, but, in the end, every single person dies. Dead. Even the one person he swore he'd protect. Oh, uh, spoiler alert.
Goines wrote nine novels in the same year that he wrote Black Girl Lost, 16 novels in only a five-year span. Some of it was written in prison and some of it was while he was using heroin. He died of a gunshot wound, presumably from a drug deal gone wrong. I mention all of this because I think it's important to note that Goines is pretty much an expert on ghetto life, and his novels are nothing if not honest. Sensational, yes, but also insightful. Goines was a Detroit-born, heroin-addicted thief, smuggler, pimp and numbers runner, but at the same time he was aware enough to paint a picture of purity and innocence that was his character Sandra, and how her life could have been beautiful if not for the scourge that fed on her family and community. He clearly points to the choices Sandra made and that were made for her that caused her own ruin. And that's what's so fascinating -- this man on the inside pulling all the stitches out so we can see how it all came together. And because of that I think this is important reading for any young person intrigued by black urban culture and the temptations of easy money. Perhaps there's a glimpse here and there of triumph and victory for our thug hero, but, in the end, every single person dies. Dead. Even the one person he swore he'd protect. Oh, uh, spoiler alert.
July 2, 2009
I thought the book was an excellent read...Straight to the point, but at the same time thought provoking. It pushed me through the pages and kept me wanting more until the ending. I highly recommend to readers who want a taste of the urban jungle...
May 25, 2013
I've had this book for quite awhile and now that I've read it, I can't believe that I was missing out on such a good read. What a sad and tragic 70s ghetto love story! My heart went out to Sandra from the very beginning as she was often left alone by her drunken mother to fend for herself. Sandra endured many things a young girl or any child her age should never have to. Chink an outcast of sorts had a hustle of his own as a means of survival. Sandra witnessed an unexpected incident which ultimately led her to Chink. Soon thereafter, Sandra and Chink became an unlikely couple with a common bond, the struggle of surviving lives of poverty. Although this story takes place back in the day, Sandra proves to be the epitome of a 'ride or die' chick. Mr. Goines was truly a master writer and storyteller that was taken from this world way too soon.
January 16, 2019
16% Done: One of my favorite things about Goines is the reflection of era he adds to his stories. Sandra is always in a skirt, etc. As far as the story goes, it's one of those timeless stories that sadly still exists.
53% Done: In all it's 70's glory....sheesh
3.5 solid stars for this hood classic <3
53% Done: In all it's 70's glory....sheesh
3.5 solid stars for this hood classic <3
September 9, 2020
Incredible story, I couldn't put it down
November 11, 2008
After having read Dopefiend, I wanted to read another book by Goines. This particular book talks about the life of a young black girl, Sandra, who lives a poor life with her mother. Her mother is a dope fiend and goes off to get her fix sometimes without telling Sandra. There was this one day where Sandra did not know where her mother was so she went to look for her and this man was at the brink of raping her, until he thought about it. He lied to her telling her that he would help her find her mother, when in fact those were not his intentions. When they started talking and he realized she was just a poor girl, he couldn’t go through with raping her. Later on in the story she falls in love with Chink who is a friend at school who is also poor, and they sell drugs together. The teachers started to question how the two went from dressing “poorly” to dressing with clothes it seemed they could not afford, so they brought the police in. Chink was caught and put in jail. While in jail, Sandra was approached and beat by two men involved with another drug dealer, which infuriated Chink so he planned to escape. When he did escape, he shot the two men and one shot him, leading to his death in the arms of Sandra.
I could not find too much to relate to in this book, but I did come to admire Sandra’s character. Sandra was a young girl who had a hard life, and did what she did to make ends meet. She took the risk of selling drugs and getting caught. But her newfound love for a boy who was in the same situation as her, seemed to have not shaken her. She did feel as though her living conditions were unfair so she decided to take a route which would help her. And perhaps it was selling drugs because she could make a distant connection to her mother, who she was not really close to. This book helped me understand why it is that people get involved in the things they do. And thanks to Goines’ writing, I feel as though I can look at things in a different way.
I could not find too much to relate to in this book, but I did come to admire Sandra’s character. Sandra was a young girl who had a hard life, and did what she did to make ends meet. She took the risk of selling drugs and getting caught. But her newfound love for a boy who was in the same situation as her, seemed to have not shaken her. She did feel as though her living conditions were unfair so she decided to take a route which would help her. And perhaps it was selling drugs because she could make a distant connection to her mother, who she was not really close to. This book helped me understand why it is that people get involved in the things they do. And thanks to Goines’ writing, I feel as though I can look at things in a different way.
March 23, 2015
Hmmmmm. I have never read this author before. From what I have gleaned from google, he was a street hustler back in the 70's and then became a best selling author by writing stories about what what he knew and what he saw around him. So...this isn't light reading, but the fact he lived on the streets in the 70's is maybe why I thought the dialog sounded like HuggyBear.
This is a story that brings about awareness. This felt more real than fiction because of the tragic circumstances that exist forcing others to navigate through them for survival's sake, often becoming victims and even perpetrators of the same crimes themselves.
I'm torn between 3 and 4 stars. While I didn't think this was particularly well written, it certainly made me feel something. It is sad that this is life for so many, even in this day and age.
This is a story that brings about awareness. This felt more real than fiction because of the tragic circumstances that exist forcing others to navigate through them for survival's sake, often becoming victims and even perpetrators of the same crimes themselves.
I'm torn between 3 and 4 stars. While I didn't think this was particularly well written, it certainly made me feel something. It is sad that this is life for so many, even in this day and age.
June 21, 2020
I pick a good book for my first read by the author and my gosh this was a quick, fast-paced read. Filled with lots of heartaches, I felt for Sandra all the way when chink came into Sandra's life; they were unstoppable. The things chink would do for Sandra and the things Sandra would do for chink. A young Bonnie and Clyde the loyalty they had for one another they rode tell they couldn't ride anymore. Sandra stood by his side no matter what the ending I wanted more. I love to read books centered in Los Angeles, California, this story any person can relate to because sometimes this the way it is survival instincts come in, and you have to do what you have to do to survive. You don't ask for the parents you're born to—your just born to them. Sometimes we get landed in the fuck up situations. We become the breadwinner at a very young age.
April 16, 2018
Listening to this I kinda had the same emotions I felt watching 'The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete'. Right from the beginning there is a young child in danger and it's just this slow creeping dread and heartbreak for what you know is, well, inevitable.
This is my first Goines book and it is so raw and real. Won't be my last book by Goines.
This is my first Goines book and it is so raw and real. Won't be my last book by Goines.
December 4, 2012
I read this book over a dozen times. I doubt it'll mean to me at 3? (A lady keeps her secrets close!) what it meant to me at 16--when you would've had to pry it from my cold dead hands to separate me from it.....
April 27, 2020
Amazing book. So compelling, suspenseful and heartbreaking. The pace of the book has a lot of forward momentum. You really care deeply about the characters. Though some of it is really unpleasant and pretty tough to read. So glad I found out about this author, need to read much more of his books.
April 15, 2022
Young lovers willing to do whatever it takes to be together. The audiobook kept me engaged and drew me in. The last couple of chapters had me in tears and the ending ROCKED Me.
This short story was SO GOOD !!! I'd definitely recommend.
This short story was SO GOOD !!! I'd definitely recommend.
September 25, 2023
Donald Goines' timeless coming-of-age novel Black Girl Lost really came to life for me in audio form. Narrator Bahni Turpin does an amazing job embodying the story's young protagonist, 16-year-old Sandra, as she navigates a troubled upbringing in 1970s inner city Detroit.
Following Sandra as she's shaped by the gritty realities of life in the projects, including an absent dad and alcoholic mom, Turpin's emotional voice acting had me invested in Sandra's perspective. I really felt the mix of naivete and quiet strength in Sandra as she falls into her first relationship with local drug dealer Chink.
When violence rains down on Sandra, Turpin's captivating narration during those graphic scenes left me stunned. The novel culminates in a powerful if tragic climax. By the end, I was completely drawn into Sandra's coming-of-age journey.
For old fans and new readers alike, this audiobook brings Goines' iconic novel to vivid life. Turpin's skill in voicing Sandra really got me in her shoes, making the story relatable and unforgettable. An eye-opening listen that stays with you, I highly recommend this audiobook.
Following Sandra as she's shaped by the gritty realities of life in the projects, including an absent dad and alcoholic mom, Turpin's emotional voice acting had me invested in Sandra's perspective. I really felt the mix of naivete and quiet strength in Sandra as she falls into her first relationship with local drug dealer Chink.
When violence rains down on Sandra, Turpin's captivating narration during those graphic scenes left me stunned. The novel culminates in a powerful if tragic climax. By the end, I was completely drawn into Sandra's coming-of-age journey.
For old fans and new readers alike, this audiobook brings Goines' iconic novel to vivid life. Turpin's skill in voicing Sandra really got me in her shoes, making the story relatable and unforgettable. An eye-opening listen that stays with you, I highly recommend this audiobook.
April 22, 2015
Black girl lost was an outstanding book, I pretty much love all of Donald Goines Books and have read almost all of them years ago, But "Black girl lost" was one of my favorites so I had to re-read it...And again I felt all the same emotions I felt the same time around....This little girl goes thru so much in her short time, from her living with a Drunk as a mother to almost being molested by many of the men her mom kept around to watching as her boyfriend takes his last breath. Bravo to a book well written and to Donald Goines a great Author.
January 7, 2021
Wow! I’m nearly speechless. I’ve heard of Donald Goines, have even purchased and shared his books, but this is the first one I’ve actually read. I really enjoyed LISTENING to it via Bahni Turpin! She’s the best narrator...hands down! The book is a lot of things but my favorite part was the spin on Bonnie & Clyde. To be clear, there were several things happening in the tale that others might seem inappropriate, but I was down for the whole ride.
August 25, 2011
Just read Black Girl Lost by Donald Goines - AKA Def Hood Ghetto Realism - this mofo can write, for real. About a young girl raised on the streets; shoplifter to quazi mastermind of her first-love, tough-as-nails, high school pusher. He gets some time in the joint, she gets beat up by some dopefiends, he breaks out and gets his revenge.. Happily ever after.
March 10, 2016
Im not the biggest donald goines fan. Yes, I've read all his books. All of his books are basically the same and thats what I dont like. However, this one stood out. I really enjoyed this book. I loved the relationship between the two characters. It's like an urban cross between Romeo and Juliet and Bonnie and Clyde.
October 18, 2022
This is beyond fiction. This is the story of what exactly happened/ happens to our children when they're neglected, specifically black children in the 70s. I enjoyed the read. In my personal opinion, it was not a read to provide entertainment but one which highlights the VERY realities of a lot of children from the poorer sides of the streets. It was thought-provoking. BE WARNED OF THE EXPLICIT NATURE OF THE BOOK. Sometimes I had to take myself back a minute and remember that we're talking about adolescent children here. I especially had an issue with the sexually explicit nature of the description of the . But to be fair, the author really stuck to realism and authenticity here, and good job on that.
Let me say also that I love how the author went straight to the point with everything. He did not beat around the bushes, add extra flare, or bent a little here and there to extend the story but forge ahead straight. This still did not take away from the book and neither did it feel rushed. Nothing could be added or removed to make this any better.
This is my very first Donald Goines book and I have no qualms about reading others.
Let me say also that I love how the author went straight to the point with everything. He did not beat around the bushes, add extra flare, or bent a little here and there to extend the story but forge ahead straight. This still did not take away from the book and neither did it feel rushed. Nothing could be added or removed to make this any better.
This is my very first Donald Goines book and I have no qualms about reading others.
August 8, 2019
My full review can be found at Melaninated Bookshelf
4.5 Stars
A tragic love story set in 1970s Los Angeles. Sandra learned at an early age that the only person that she could depend on is herself. until her path crosses with Chink. Their struggle to survive and forge a future for themselves is told beautifully through Donald Goines writing. Goines simple prose effectively translates the teens love for each other, hope for the future, and struggle to survive. This is remains one of my faves.
4.5 Stars
A tragic love story set in 1970s Los Angeles. Sandra learned at an early age that the only person that she could depend on is herself. until her path crosses with Chink. Their struggle to survive and forge a future for themselves is told beautifully through Donald Goines writing. Goines simple prose effectively translates the teens love for each other, hope for the future, and struggle to survive. This is remains one of my faves.
February 18, 2019
My first Donald Goines read and it was amaze-balls! This was such a sad story but that ending though. Donald's storytelling is fantastic and I can't wait to read his other stories. The reviews about his writing made me want to check him out and I'm glad that I did!
October 18, 2017
2nd read for this classic and it was just as great this time as the first.
April 10, 2021
It was a good story until the ending, which felt rushed to me. But I look forward to reading the author’s other books!
September 3, 2023
Quick read, fast paced and a page-turner from start to finish!
February 8, 2024
I would have loved to see what happens to Sandra. This is an extremely sad short story however this story has a lot of real life situations that happens in the rural city. My heart was saddened several times in this story. Kudos to the narrator who voiced many characters well. Although this was short it was a good story.
June 8, 2021
This was such a good story!! Kept me engaged from start to finish and just PULLS YOU IN EMOTIONALLY!!! I was in tears at the end.
I now have to go find ALL of Donald Goines’ books!!
I now have to go find ALL of Donald Goines’ books!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 264 reviews