Milk-Blood by Adrian Simon
Book Review
Milk-Blood by Adrian Simon
Anyone who’s picked up a backpack since the 90s will have heard of the ‘Damage Done’, the story of Warren Fellows, who served twelve years for drug smuggling in Thailand’s toughest prison . Well, ‘Milk Blood’ is written by his son, Adrian Simon, and is a amazing story in itself but one that also adds the degree of balance to his father’s book; namely, filling in some important background. Adrian is a likeable narrator and it is all credit to him that he has grown up as such a well-balanced individual and has written this riveting account. It is the only full-length book I’ve read in one sitting.
Chris Thrall is an adventurer and author of the memoir “Eating Smoke: One Man’s Descent into Crystal Meth Psychosis in Hong Kong’s Triad Heartland”
To hell and back: An expat’s life on the edge in Hong Kong
A former drug user publishes his memoir of working for the 14K Hong Kong triads
In the 1990s, former Royal Marine Chris Thrall found himself being sucked into a downward spiral in Hong Kong, when his work as a Wanchai bouncer drew him into the world of triads and crystal meth addiction. Now 42, off drugs and pursuing a new life, Thrall reveals how he saw the end — and found a future — in his autobiography “Eating Smoke.”
CNNGo: Considering your addiction, how were you able to remember things so clearly?
Chris Thrall: Using crystal meth and the psychosis I experienced didn’t affect my memory. I think when you’re young and finding yourself in the world –- especially in such a memorable setting as Hong Kong -– you remember an awful lot, particularly the pertinent things like relationships you had with people and the crazy things you get up to.
“Eating Smoke” is a collection of those memories. I also experienced a great deal of highs, lows and trauma. Incidents you don’t forget in a hurry. There’s probably also a lot I don’t remember and probably just as well.
