DOWN THESE MEAN STREETS

ThirtyyearsagoPiriThomasmadeliteraryhistorywiththislacerating,lyricalmemoirofhiscomingofageonthestreetsofSpanishHarlem.Herewasthetestamentofabornoutsider:aPuertoRicaninEnglish-speakingAmerica;adark-skinnedmorenitoinafamilythatrefusedtoacknowledgeitsAfricanblood.HerewasanunsparingdocumentofThomas'splungeintothedeadlyconsolationsofdrugs,streetfighting,andarmedrobbery--adescentthatendedwhenthetwenty-two-year-oldPiriwassenttoprisonforshootingacop.AsherecountsthejourneythattookhimfromadolescenceinElBarriotoalock-upinSingSingtothefreedomthatcomesofself-acceptance,faith,andinnerconfidence,PiriThomasgivesusabookthatisasexultantasitisharrowingandwhoseeverypagebearstheirrepressiblerhythmofitsauthor'svoice.Thirtyyearsafteritsfirstappearance,thisclassicofmanhood,marginalization,survival,andtranscendenceisavailableinananniversaryeditionwithanewIntroductionbytheauthor.