1970s New York City is borderline bankrupt. Police departments, public schools and other municipalities are struggling under massive layoffs, buildings are abandoned, and the streets are rife with crime and drugs. For Johnny Alvarez, a precocious young runaway, the decay, and lawlessness offer camouflage and opportunity. He squats in an empty apartment in a derelict Washington Heights tenement and gathers a gang of streetwise kids, most of whom struggle with their own issues. Johnny is haunted by the abuse he suffered at ...
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1970s New York City is borderline bankrupt. Police departments, public schools and other municipalities are struggling under massive layoffs, buildings are abandoned, and the streets are rife with crime and drugs. For Johnny Alvarez, a precocious young runaway, the decay, and lawlessness offer camouflage and opportunity. He squats in an empty apartment in a derelict Washington Heights tenement and gathers a gang of streetwise kids, most of whom struggle with their own issues. Johnny is haunted by the abuse he suffered at the hands of his sadistic older brother. The crew tries to keep his head straight with belonging and levity, but the turbulent nature of the street triggers unwanted memories, which spin Johnny into recklessness amid the city's seedy underbelly. "A thought-provoking coming-of-age novel imbued with psychological dimensions...Its blend of gritty realism and psychological depth makes it a recommendable choice for readers seeking a coming-of-age novel that navigates the challenging journey from adolescence to maturity amidst a backdrop of urban hardship and complexity." Literary Titan
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PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT SHIP TO DENMARK. New Book. Shipped from UK in 4 to 14 days. Established seller since 2000. Please note we cannot offer an expedited shipping service from the UK.
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New. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 272 p. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT SHIP TO DENMARK. New Book. Shipped from UK in 4 to 14 days. Established seller since 2000. Please note we cannot offer an expedited shipping service from the UK.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fine. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 272 p. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
New. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 272 p. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Street, authored by A.D. Metcalfe, is a thought-provoking coming-of-age novel imbued with psychological dimensions. Set in the vivid backdrop of 1970s New York City, the narrative unfolds through the experiences of Johnny, a twelve-year-old runaway from Miami. His odyssey through the urban labyrinth of NYC is marked by forming lasting friendships, delving into petty criminality, and a relentless quest to evade capture.
The haunting echoes of Johnny's past are intricately interwoven into this tale of survival and self-discovery. His ordeal at the hands of an abusive older brother adds layers of complexity, challenging the protagonist's resilience and mental fortitude. The exploration of these traumas, particularly in scenes where Johnny's grip on reality wavers, is handled with literary finesse. Metcalfe's skill in conveying the protagonist's fractured psyche, even from a third-person perspective, is notably immersive, especially during a pivotal scene that offers deep insight into Johnny's internal turmoil.
The novel's setting in the 1970s is rendered with meticulous attention to detail, encompassing the era's unique cultural tapestry â�" from the colloquial language and fashion to the prevailing social attitudes and pop culture references. This richly textured portrayal significantly enhances the novel's atmospheric quality. However, the narrative occasionally lapses into cultural stereotypes, which, while reflective of the period, sometimes seem superfluous to the story's central themes. A certain level of discomfort arises when portraying a romantic encounter involving Johnny and an older teen. Given the characters' ages and inexperience, the scene's depiction may strike some readers as unconvincing or overly idealized. This aspect of the story, though potentially contentious, adds a layer of complexity to the exploration of adolescent experiences.
Street remains a compelling read. Its blend of gritty realism and psychological depth makes it a recommendable choice for readers seeking a coming-of-age novel that navigates the challenging journey from adolescence to maturity amidst a backdrop of urban hardship and complexity.
