A Scanner Darkly is the only book on drugs, besides Go Ask Alice, that resembles reality. It shows that drugs are niether good or bad; it is the user that makes them, so. Any one that has been heavily involved in the drug culture can identify with this book. The drug infested romance, distinguishably good and bad atmosheres, terminology,etc. should all be familiar to those who once lived the life described. But the most penetrating part of the book for anyone who knows what it's like to be addicted is Arctor's trangression. Arctor's speech including " Do I see my self through a scanner darkly...." is a poignant and penetrating dialogue that cannot, repeat cannot, be understood by those who have never been addicted. If you've ever been on the outside looking in, unable the see through the barrier you've created for your self, enveloped in the confusion of the human experience, than you can relate to Bob Arctor. As a recovering addict, I am glad that someone understands.