Problems

Problems follows Maya, a young woman in New York City who struggles with heroin addiction while her marriage crumbles and her affair with an older professor continues. Maya works at a bookstore and pursues graduate studies, attempting to maintain a semblance of normalcy despite her increasing drug use. The narrative tracks Maya's internal monologue as she navigates relationships, academic obligations, and the constant pull of addiction. Her observations about life in New York and interactions with family, particularly her Indian mother, provide context for her current circumstances. The novel presents an unfiltered view of addiction, sex, and identity through Maya's sharp and often darkly humorous perspective. Through its stream-of-consciousness style, the text captures both the mundane and intense moments of a life in spiral. In examining self-destruction and survival, Problems explores questions of control, desire, and the search for meaning in contemporary urban life. The work challenges conventional addiction narratives by focusing on the everyday experiences of its protagonist rather than dramatic moments of crisis or redemption.

Readers found Problems to be a raw, unflinching portrayal of addiction that doesn't romanticize recovery. The stream-of-consciousness narration and dark humor resonated with many readers who appreciated its honesty about mental health struggles. Liked: - Sharp, witty writing style - Authentic depiction of addiction - Dark humor throughout - Realistic portrayal of depression Disliked: - Repetitive internal monologues - Lack of plot progression - Character's self-destructive choices frustrated some readers - Too vulgar/graphic for some tastes Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (90+ ratings) Multiple reviewers called it "the anti-Girl on the Train" for its gritty realism. One Goodreads reviewer noted: "It's like reading someone's diary during their worst moments." Several Amazon reviews praised the "razor-sharp observations" while criticizing the meandering narrative structure.

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📚 "Problems" was Jade Sharma's only published novel before her death in 2019 at age 39. 🏆 The book was selected as a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Pick in 2016, bringing attention to its raw portrayal of addiction and modern relationships. 💭 The protagonist Maya's internal monologue was partially inspired by Sharma's own experiences with heroin addiction and her time in New York City's literary scene. 📖 The novel broke traditional conventions by blending dark humor with serious subjects, earning comparisons to Ottessa Moshfegh's work and the TV show "Fleabag." 🎓 Sharma developed the initial manuscript while attending the MFA program at The New School, where she studied under notable authors like Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Cunningham.