A review by sylvianyc
Down These Mean Streets by Piri Thomas

5.0

I could kick myself a million times over for not reading this book sooner. What a wonderfully mesmerizing story of a boy trying to make his way through the poverty stricken streets of the barrio. All the while fighting against socities racism and hatred, mixed with self- hatred and feelings of inferiority. Piri Thomas' journey from the streets of Harlem, from behind prison walls, and back to freedom is heart- wrenching.

Sadly, many of the conditions Piri sounds off on in his memoir still exist today. A reality that helps place much of what Piri writes in the book into perspective.