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Down These Mean Streets [Paperback]

Piri Thomas
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)

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Book Description

November 25, 1997
Thirty years ago Piri Thomas made literary history with this lacerating, lyrical memoir of his coming of age on the streets of Spanish Harlem. Here was the testament of a born outsider: a Puerto Rican in English-speaking America; a dark-skinned morenito in a family that refused to acknowledge its African blood. Here was an unsparing document of Thomas's plunge into the deadly consolations of drugs, street fighting, and armed robbery--a descent that ended when the twenty-two-year-old Piri was sent to prison for shooting a cop.

As he recounts the journey that took him from adolescence in El Barrio to a lock-up in Sing Sing to the freedom that comes of self-acceptance, faith, and inner confidence, Piri Thomas gives us a book that is as exultant as it is harrowing and whose every page bears the irrepressible rhythm of its author's voice. Thirty years after its first appearance, this classic of manhood, marginalization, survival, and transcendence is available in an anniversary edition with a new Introduction by the author.

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The 30th anniversary edition of this classic memoir about growing up in Spanish Harlem includes an afterword reminding us that its streets are even meaner now, thanks to crack cocaine and the dismantling of government poverty programs. As a dark-skinned Puerto Rican, born in 1928, Piri Thomas faced with painful immediacy the absurd contradictions of America's racial attitudes (among people of all colors) in a time of wrenching social change. Three decades have not dimmed the luster of his jazzy prose, rich in Hispanic rhythms and beat-generation slang.

Review

"Piri Thomas describes the passionate, painful search to validate his manhood...He has done it all in Harlem's mean streets and gone on from machismo to manhood, acquiring during the journey an understanding of man."--The Nation

Product Details

  • Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Vintage; First edition, first printing (full number line) edition (November 25, 1997)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0679781420
  • ISBN-13: 978-0679781424
  • Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.3 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #40,820 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Picking up this book up again and reading it was like experiencing it for the first time. Helen Velazquez  |  28 reviewers made a similar statement
The author's writing style is refreshing and lyrical. Shantel  |  8 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
47 of 49 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I first heard this man, Mr. Piri Thomas, speak in the spring of 1993 at Cal State University at Hayward. I was so moved (as a high school student) that I had our school (California High School) invite him to speak at our "Free Your Mind" day on June 4th, 1993. I loved his poetic 'realness' - and it was the first time I felt really empowered as a person of color living in a largely suburban environment.

His experience and insight was so raw and so 'real'. In this autobiography, Mr. Thomas addresses issues of racial identity (he was dark skinned, but his brother was lighter skinned/more white looking) and how racism affected him as a Puerto Recan. It describes him growing up in Spanish Harlem, NY, moving down the coast, meeting friends and some crazy situations. I remember him really hitting rock bottom, and then coming out in the end. I always looked forward to reading on.

I read somewhere that R&B singer Brian McKnight considers this his favorite book. That's when I knew I just wasn't being easily impressed. This is an excellent life story, well written, and a must read for anyone interested in the topic of racial identity. Yes, we are all individuals, but we should never deny our heritage...thank you Mr. Piri Thomas. I feel nothing but the deepest respect for you...thanks for your vision, insight and generosity.

Knyte (Trust Me)

P.S. If I could give more than five stars...I would

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23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars An essential Puerto Rican classic April 3, 2003
Format:Paperback
"Down These Mean Streets," by Piri Thomas, tells a story of growing up as a dark-skinned Puerto Rican in New York City. First published in 1967, the book has been re-issued in a 30th anniversary edition with an afterword by the author.

The book opens in 1941, with 12-year old Piri living in New York with his family. The narrative recounts his growth into manhood; we accompany Piri as he gets into fights, uses illegal drugs, becomes a violent criminal, spends time in prison, and experiences conflict within his own family.

This is a raw, powerful book. Thomas has a vigorous, muscular prose style that incorporates many Spanish terms (readers may find the glossary at the end of the book useful). The book raises many questions about racial and ethnic identity as Piri has relationships with many different people of various colors and cultures. Thomas also explores the interconnections of race and religion, and vividly portrays the subculture of prison life.

This is an essential book for anyone interested in the Puerto Rican experience on the U.S. mainland. The book has a lot in common with "The Autobiography of Malcolm X." Also recommended as a companion text: Miguel Pinero's play "Short Eyes."

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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars SIMPLY FANTASTIC March 9, 2000
Format:Paperback
I read this wonderful book over 15 years ago. Although most of its details have faded with time, its impact has not. As a Puerto Rican male growing up in the Bronx, I could certainly relate to much of what Piri Thomas was describing. But "Mean Streets" is so powerful and gripping, that anyone who reads it will be moved and mesmorized. This is truly a modern-day classic that will surely withstand the test of time. Its lessons are appropriate for all youth everywhere and always.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Can I give it 10 STARS? Repin' HARLEM to the Fullest August 30, 2000
Format:Paperback
This is a remarkable book. Mr.Thomas you did your thang! This is the first real grown- up book I read back in 1995. I was sooo open I wanted to know everything that happened next. Piri was Wild! And knowing that this is an autobiography it's even more exciting. I love the way he represented the areas I've lived in or even went to school in. Piri told life how it really was and how it took him to learn about it. Growing up in Spanish Harlem put me on to a lot of Hispanics denying their African culture. It's true how some parents like Piri had act the same way as they did.

I had the pleasure of meeting Piri Thomas at my school in Spanish Harlem also it was remarkable to picture such a character then really see him face to face although he was much much older. But it was still amazing. This book is Raw and it an absolute page turner let me tell you from a young Black teenager in Harlem THIS IS A VERY GOOD BOOK, AN ABSOLUTE PAGE TURNER!

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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars ALL Boricuas MUST READ! I highly recommend to ALL! July 24, 2001
Format:Paperback
This is one of the first books I read, and it was very moving, touching and powerful for me. Being Boricua (Puerto Rican), born and raised in NYC's El Barrio, myself, and coming up on the same streets Piri lived on and wrote about made this book that much more special and personal for me. I was virtually able to re-live Piri's life through his book and eyes, albiet 50+ years later.

Piri's writing style is icy clear, lucid, and sometimes pretty raw. He writes so artfully that the entire book becomes like an epic saga, one powerful movie in your mind! It's a story of unvarnished reality. Piri pulls no punches. (I'm imagining you should probably be 15+ or so to read this.) You'll laugh, cry, get angry and go on a roller coaster of emotions with DTMS. I was so moved and touched by Piri's work, that I read all of his other books, and developed a new outlook and perspective on everything from writing, to self identity, and dignity (one of Piri's faves).

Buy Down These Mean Streets, in English or Spanish (Por Estas Calles Bravas), and pass it on. (I GUARANTEE you'll love it!) Piri is one of our first...and one of our best! The man's been p'al carajo and back, and tells it all in his unique Boricua style (often imitated, never duplicated).

I developed a lot of affection and love for Brother Piri, and was even fortunate enough to meet the Living Legend and have him over our home for an unforgettable dinner as our guest, where my entire familia, friends and neighbors (who I all got to read his books) all had the pleasure of meeting the larger than life Piri!

Much love, and respect to Brother Piri and and all of you, mi gente! (...)

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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars The first Afro-Latino text in the U.S.
This book has changed lives. No exaggeration. There is a serious Piri Thomas cult and it is absolutely right! Read more
Published 1 month ago by violetcherry
4.0 out of 5 stars Mean
I read this back in college (90s). If you're into memoirs - especially working class memoirs - I highly recommend this.
Published 2 months ago by reachin4myrevolver
5.0 out of 5 stars Great
The package arrived on time and as described. The book is needed for University for my kids that are students.
Published 3 months ago by John W Taylor
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent autobiographical narrative about coming of age in a classed,...
This classic work by Piri Thomas is a tour de force memoir, a first person glimpse into the life of Piri, a Puerto Rican teen coming of age in New York's Spanish Harlem, and for a... Read more
Published 3 months ago by PiedmontGirl
5.0 out of 5 stars Ahead of its time
Ahead of its time. Piri Thomas was a great author with a very important message to convey. I'm glad to have read this.
Published 3 months ago by Annie
5.0 out of 5 stars Niice!
Perfect conditions and a good, good read! It is a impacting story, one the Hispanic community must read. I started reading it as an assignment buy fell in love with it. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Angel Rodriguez
2.0 out of 5 stars Required reading
This was a required reading for a college class for grandson. Not the type of book he really enjoys reading on a regular day.
Published 5 months ago by Annette Hayes
5.0 out of 5 stars Great!
I read this when I was younger and looking forward to my 13 yr. old reading it as an outside reading project for his Language Arts Class.
Published 6 months ago by KANROCKJUST
5.0 out of 5 stars Happy to own a copy of this eighth grade reading assignment.
This book was one of the very few books that I actually identified with some back in eighth grade. It was given to me as an book report assignment. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Maribelle
5.0 out of 5 stars Down These Mean Streets
Down These Mean Streets
Even though the language Piri Thomas uses throughout most of this book is dated, it doesn't matter. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Elyse Green
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