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A review by emgusk
S Street Rising: Crack, Murder, and Redemption in D.C. by Rubén Castañeda
3.0
Ok, here's the thing. I genuinely liked this book. I grew up in the D.C. suburbs and call D.C. home today. I remember much of the drug epidemic and clearly recall Marion Barry and the bitch setting him up. It was great to read about what happened from someone who was experiencing everything and living amidst it all.
But, man, and I mean man, were there no developed females in this book. None of the prostitutes he visits and has relationships with have any depth whatsoever. The one female editor is written as vindictive (although I'm not sure she was so off-base) and the author just mentions, off hand, a girlfriend or two every once in a while.
I really enjoyed the descriptions of the homicide cop, Lou and the pastor, Jim. They are, great, interesting, well-written humans, who I'm glad to be on the planet with, and I'm pleased I was introduced to them in the book. Even the drug king pin, Baldie, was written as a full, and nuanced character.
But I disliked the way the author treated women in his book and I couldn't really get past that. Regardless, I'm glad he wrote the book, I'm glad he's sober and I'm glad we were able to learn from his experiences.
But, man, and I mean man, were there no developed females in this book. None of the prostitutes he visits and has relationships with have any depth whatsoever. The one female editor is written as vindictive (although I'm not sure she was so off-base) and the author just mentions, off hand, a girlfriend or two every once in a while.
I really enjoyed the descriptions of the homicide cop, Lou and the pastor, Jim. They are, great, interesting, well-written humans, who I'm glad to be on the planet with, and I'm pleased I was introduced to them in the book. Even the drug king pin, Baldie, was written as a full, and nuanced character.
But I disliked the way the author treated women in his book and I couldn't really get past that. Regardless, I'm glad he wrote the book, I'm glad he's sober and I'm glad we were able to learn from his experiences.