Reviews

Living For The City by Jervey Tervalon

rosseroo's review

5.0

These 23 stories with reoccurring characters are essential reading for anyone interested in the cultural history of Los Angeles. In the words of the author: "What I hope I've done with living for the city is conjure up the black Los Angeles I grew up in during the seventies without all the gangster hype but showing that world as bittersweet as it was. Many of these stories were written when I was a teenager living that life." This is reflected in the highly autobiographical tone many of the stories assume, as well as the straightforward style. Although there is a lot of desperation in the characters, and depictions of being trapped (mentally and physically), Tervalon shows the reader unexpected characters and their desires. If you like this, find a copy of Edward Jones' collection of stories about Washington, DC, Lost in the City, which is sadly out-of-print.