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June 21, 2005
Random Family by Adrian Nicole LeBlanc
Fascinating read; an eye-opening look at a loose-knit family as they struggle through poverty, drug use, prison, teen pregnancy and a whole host of other obstacles. This is not a feel good, movie-of-the-week type book full of easy answers and happy against-all-odds endings. It's a frank look at life in the underclass, reminding me of Upton Sinclair's The Jungle more than anything else. As I tore through the pages, I felt a mix of pity and disbelief and frustration and, guiltily, superiority. What I didn't often feel was hope. All of the paths the main players were on seemed so cyclical and well traveled that it was hard to see the next generation breaking away. In fact, that is what it would take, it seems, a breakaway. Often times, any attempt by the main characters to make a change for the better was subtly sabotaged by those closest to them.
Of other interest was the fact that the time period covered, the early 90's through the early 2000's, overlaps our own time here in NYC. It's hard to believe that some of what they were or are going through is happening right now just a few miles away.
Highly recommended.
Posted by Greg on June 21, 2005 12:17 AM