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Down These Mean Streets: A Memoir
Memoir, coming of age on the streets of Spanish Harlem by Puerto Rican. Dark-skinned morenito had family who ignored African blood. Consolation from drugs, street fighting, and armed robbery end when Piri 22 goes to Sing Sing prison for shooting a cop. His journey continues to self-acceptance, faith, and inner confidence. 30-year anniversary edition has Intro by author.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1967
229 people are currently reading
5632 people want to read
About the author
Piri Thomas
15 books74 followersPiri Thomas (born Juan Pedro Tomas September 10, 1928 in Spanish Harlem in New York City) was a Puerto Rican-Cuban who was influential in the Nuyorican Movement as a writer and poet.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 386 reviews
June 8, 2011
Four and a half stars, really.
I wish someone had introduced me to this book when I was 14 years old to let me know someone else was thinking some of the crazy shit I thought and to put my own peculiar road (so different from Piri's) in perspective.
I read it for one field lists for my PhD in English, but I was moved by it, by Piri Thomas's voice and the questions he asks himself about race and ethnicity - about what it means to be Puerto Rican when a Puerto Rican can be black or white, but still never quite white in the eyes of America (just like they are citizens, but never quite citizens).
The comparisons to The Autobiography of Malcolm X are bound to happen, but Piri's story is his own story and I think comparisons are unfair. Malcolm wrote from a place of self-assurance, I get the sense that Piri never had that assurance (even in his Afterword written 30 years later) and also Malcolm also had Alex Haley to help him with his writing, Piri's voice is rawer and that gives it its own timbre that is worth listening for.
I want to teach this in a class with Black Boy and The Autobiography of Malcolm X and Notes from the Underground.
I wish someone had introduced me to this book when I was 14 years old to let me know someone else was thinking some of the crazy shit I thought and to put my own peculiar road (so different from Piri's) in perspective.
I read it for one field lists for my PhD in English, but I was moved by it, by Piri Thomas's voice and the questions he asks himself about race and ethnicity - about what it means to be Puerto Rican when a Puerto Rican can be black or white, but still never quite white in the eyes of America (just like they are citizens, but never quite citizens).
The comparisons to The Autobiography of Malcolm X are bound to happen, but Piri's story is his own story and I think comparisons are unfair. Malcolm wrote from a place of self-assurance, I get the sense that Piri never had that assurance (even in his Afterword written 30 years later) and also Malcolm also had Alex Haley to help him with his writing, Piri's voice is rawer and that gives it its own timbre that is worth listening for.
I want to teach this in a class with Black Boy and The Autobiography of Malcolm X and Notes from the Underground.
December 17, 2017
I'm too lazy to write a review of this. It's amazing, and also necessary. That is all.
October 11, 2022
One time my Puerto Rican bunkmate was glancing at THE NEW YORK REVIEW OF BOOKS and came across a new book subtitled "Memoirs Of a Cuban-American". "I thought you'd be the author", he told me seriously. "Yes", I said, "from political exile to university professor to political prisoner." All in due time. I will write that memoir one day but in the meantime review DOWN THESE MEAN STREETS by Piri Thomas, a Puerto Rican turned NYrican residing in Spanish Harlem during the Forties and Fifties. I first encountered MEAN STREETS in an anthology called BORICUA, and the hard-boiled prose made me think I was reading a novel. That is one measure of Thomas's powers of prose. (And, yes, Thomas is his real surname. Piri says an American Army soldier mated with his family during the U.S. occupation of Puerto Rico in 1898 and el Yanqui bestowed his last name on his ancestors). His multiple identities, Latino and American, Black and White, San Juan and New York City give him headaches but also makes for jujitsu prose. Piri on the Pearl Harbor attack of December 7, 1941: His brother asks him, What's going on?" and Piri replies, "Dopey, it's a rumble, and a big one. I still blew pot, robbed on the streets, and fought other gangs. What did I care?". Later, when he is inducted into the U.S. Army himself during the Fifties Piri sleeps with a prostitute who hates Blacks and after he gets out of bed tells her, "You can't stand Blacks? One just F---you!"
Hemingway couldn't write better terse and bitter prose. One caveat: Avoid the sequel, SAVIOR, SAVIOR, HOLD MY HAND! Not only has the quality of Piri's prose declined but, as the title indicates, it's just another "I was a dope fiend and thief until I came to Jesus" story.
Hemingway couldn't write better terse and bitter prose. One caveat: Avoid the sequel, SAVIOR, SAVIOR, HOLD MY HAND! Not only has the quality of Piri's prose declined but, as the title indicates, it's just another "I was a dope fiend and thief until I came to Jesus" story.
October 31, 2022
This memoir was definitely....interesting.
I'm a really big fan of memoirs like I enjoy reading about real people's stories, and I especially like it when an author is open and blunt about their lives and the mistakes they've made....but this was too fucking much LMAO.
When my friend and I were talking about this book before class, the only thing I could say was "I mean, it's over", and that's pretty much the best review I could give lol...it's over
side note: trina, if you see this baby, i am so sorry.
I'm a really big fan of memoirs like I enjoy reading about real people's stories, and I especially like it when an author is open and blunt about their lives and the mistakes they've made....but this was too fucking much LMAO.
When my friend and I were talking about this book before class, the only thing I could say was "I mean, it's over", and that's pretty much the best review I could give lol...it's over
side note: trina, if you see this baby, i am so sorry.
April 17, 2010
Piri Thomas is a young boy who grows up in Harlem and has to face various obstacles and is forced to make vital decisions that will ultimately take a toll on his future. Piri witnesses the injustices and sinful behavior of everyone around him, and he must realize that survival of the fittest is essential. But how can he truly be “the fittest” without eventually leading himself into incarceration? Well that’s nearly impossible in his generation. One of the only reasons he gets through everything is with a certain survival tool he has developed: chameleon-like self-assertion. He doesn’t necessarily get through it unharmed; he does in fact get involved with his share of violence and drugs, and eventually has run-ins with the law.
I have mixed reactions about this book. I am sure that many people will be offended by this book, due to the stereotypes portrayed in it. I’d say about half of the Puerto Rican population would be offended by it and the other half would be able to relate to the events in this book. I’d say I’m in between. It made me slightly embarrassed to be of Puerto Rican descent due to the portrayal of Puerto Ricans in this book. But most of it I can relate to, being Puerto Rican and growing up in Harlem. This is a great book no doubt, but different people would have different reactions to it. I’d say just about anyone who knows what it is to suffer and live in a world of fear and temptation would enjoy this book.
I have mixed reactions about this book. I am sure that many people will be offended by this book, due to the stereotypes portrayed in it. I’d say about half of the Puerto Rican population would be offended by it and the other half would be able to relate to the events in this book. I’d say I’m in between. It made me slightly embarrassed to be of Puerto Rican descent due to the portrayal of Puerto Ricans in this book. But most of it I can relate to, being Puerto Rican and growing up in Harlem. This is a great book no doubt, but different people would have different reactions to it. I’d say just about anyone who knows what it is to suffer and live in a world of fear and temptation would enjoy this book.
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December 28, 2025Full transparency: I didn't read like 2 chapters and I couldn't remember which ones. BUT I wrote a final essay for a class based on this book and got an A. so I KNOW a majority of the book.
This was good. It's pretty dated because it's old but it reminds me of NYC today in some ways. My prof loved analyzing it, so I felt more excited about it as a result. I think it's important to read even now because of how Thomas writes about his experience as a Black Latino.
This was good. It's pretty dated because it's old but it reminds me of NYC today in some ways. My prof loved analyzing it, so I felt more excited about it as a result. I think it's important to read even now because of how Thomas writes about his experience as a Black Latino.
July 20, 2009
The main characters of this book were Piri Thomas, his family, and his girlfriend Trina. This book is a true story about a guy, Piri Thomas growing up and facing many problems. He grew up in Spanish Harlem. He was dealing with gangs,fights,drugs,money,criminal scenes,and much more. He has to make the right decisions when he left his parents house. An internal problem that Piri faces is that he isn't sure if he should go on with the criminal scence to get money. An external problem he faced was when he moved to a new neighborhood and these guys didnt like him because he was darker then them. They started beating him up and he defended himself.
Everyone "judges a book by its cover." No one waits to know the person and their natiionality before just saying you're black or white. they just asume you are white or black because of the color of your skin. Piri is Puerto Rican,but his skin is black so all th racist people just think he is black.
I thought this book was really really good. I liked it because it was a true story about a life if a dark puerto rican growing up in spanish Harlem facing a lot of different problems.
Everyone "judges a book by its cover." No one waits to know the person and their natiionality before just saying you're black or white. they just asume you are white or black because of the color of your skin. Piri is Puerto Rican,but his skin is black so all th racist people just think he is black.
I thought this book was really really good. I liked it because it was a true story about a life if a dark puerto rican growing up in spanish Harlem facing a lot of different problems.
September 12, 2012
Chevere.
Took me forever to find this one, but glad it stayed on my list for so long. It was somewhat different than I had expected -- I imagined it to be more 'about the streets,' all drugs and crime and dirty old New York. Instead, the book is about race and identity and coming of age, and it's got a disarmingly honest, straightforward tone that made it fly by.
Need to find out what happened to Piri after his return from prison, all I really got was what the author bio told me.
Took me forever to find this one, but glad it stayed on my list for so long. It was somewhat different than I had expected -- I imagined it to be more 'about the streets,' all drugs and crime and dirty old New York. Instead, the book is about race and identity and coming of age, and it's got a disarmingly honest, straightforward tone that made it fly by.
Need to find out what happened to Piri after his return from prison, all I really got was what the author bio told me.
March 13, 2017
3.5 stars
June 6, 2017
A classic
October 29, 2022
To be fair, I expected to give this novel only one star, so it’s safe to say that in some aspects I respect its ending compared to the rest of the novel.
If this weren’t a memoir, then I would’ve enjoyed it more. The writing style may not be for me, but I can appreciate an anti-hero, a protagonist rough around the edges and with little to no redeeming qualities. But the very fact that this novel contains the experiences of a real person, one who cheats on every girlfriend he has multiple times AND throws around slurs of all kinds like they mean nothing, inclines me to dislike our main character, the author.
The reason for this stems from the fact that in a regular novel, it’s common for a troubled character to lack remorse for his actions, especially when they aren’t relevant to the plot. Since this is a real person, it concerns me to read stories of his past without any condemnation of these deeds. For instance, after cheating on his girlfriend and impregnating another woman, he portrays little regard for HIS child, barely referring to this baby again and in fact implying that it is HER child at one point, removing any connections he has with the two-person activity of having a kid. And still, this is only one of many instances.
The reason for the second star lies within this edition’s final chapter and the afterward. The final chapter recounts an experience Thomas has while on a parole, witnessing an old friend shooting up the heroine that the author himself once used. In this moment, he is conflicted, the desire of his addiction calling to him once more, but he ultimately steps away from the situation and remains clean. This end to the novel finally portrays a level of growth for Thomas, and a seeming conclusion to not only a physical battle with addiction but a mental one. In this manner, I possess much respect for the author.
The afterword serves as a call to arms for readers, demanding reform towards those - specifically children - suffering from issues like poverty and discrimination. He calls out the wealthy in the United States whom hoard most of the money, and insists that the best weapon for the poor is education, among other things.
While I may lack respect for his actions, I appreciate witnessing an author utilizing us power for the better. I feel that while he may not address his personal life, he does address the social issues which created many of the problems he experienced as a Puerto Rican American growing up among issues of racism, impoverishment, and the ultimate question of his racial identity.
If this weren’t a memoir, then I would’ve enjoyed it more. The writing style may not be for me, but I can appreciate an anti-hero, a protagonist rough around the edges and with little to no redeeming qualities. But the very fact that this novel contains the experiences of a real person, one who cheats on every girlfriend he has multiple times AND throws around slurs of all kinds like they mean nothing, inclines me to dislike our main character, the author.
The reason for this stems from the fact that in a regular novel, it’s common for a troubled character to lack remorse for his actions, especially when they aren’t relevant to the plot. Since this is a real person, it concerns me to read stories of his past without any condemnation of these deeds. For instance, after cheating on his girlfriend and impregnating another woman, he portrays little regard for HIS child, barely referring to this baby again and in fact implying that it is HER child at one point, removing any connections he has with the two-person activity of having a kid. And still, this is only one of many instances.
The reason for the second star lies within this edition’s final chapter and the afterward. The final chapter recounts an experience Thomas has while on a parole, witnessing an old friend shooting up the heroine that the author himself once used. In this moment, he is conflicted, the desire of his addiction calling to him once more, but he ultimately steps away from the situation and remains clean. This end to the novel finally portrays a level of growth for Thomas, and a seeming conclusion to not only a physical battle with addiction but a mental one. In this manner, I possess much respect for the author.
The afterword serves as a call to arms for readers, demanding reform towards those - specifically children - suffering from issues like poverty and discrimination. He calls out the wealthy in the United States whom hoard most of the money, and insists that the best weapon for the poor is education, among other things.
While I may lack respect for his actions, I appreciate witnessing an author utilizing us power for the better. I feel that while he may not address his personal life, he does address the social issues which created many of the problems he experienced as a Puerto Rican American growing up among issues of racism, impoverishment, and the ultimate question of his racial identity.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2021
I read this book years ago and I loved it. It is about reality, raw, unedited with how Puerto Rican’s were and still are perceived to be. A warning.. the book is very graphic in how it describes the struggles of daily life for the Puerto Rican male lead, but definitely a must. Semi-biographical.
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March 29, 2019This review won't be overly long because I have conflicting feelings about this memoir, and I don't really want to spend more time thinking about this memoir than I have already had to for class.
Most of my thoughts on this memoir can be summarized in one sentence: I understand this memoir as a product of its time, but it doesn't mean I have to like it.
I feel really shitty saying this, but I really didn't like Piri Thomas. My dislike of him really tainted my desire to want to continue reading this memoir and analyzing it for its merits. I understand that Piri was a product of his circumstances and that part of the point of this memoir is to illuminate how you end up down a certain path due to systematic oppression and racism, but that doesn’t mean I have to enjoy or like the shitty actions and decisions Piri makes. Therefore, I understand why Piri did certain things he did (the drug use, the letting gay men drug him and assault him, the selling of pot, the controlling of women and constantly being sexually involved with women so he could posture, etc etc). I get it. But I don’t have to like it.
What especially rubbed me the wrong way was the way Piri talked to women and about women. I just couldn't let it go. It made me so uncomfortable, and it bothered me far more than his thieving (and other questionable behavior). There were times where he literally detailed feeling entitled to hit his current girlfriend and like. . . No thanks. And the whole wanting to wait to have sex with his girlfriend until after they were married but hooking up with other girls while he was still in this relationship? Ew. Again. No thanks.
If there was one thing I really enjoyed about this memoir was its discussion about race. The problems Piri experienced as a Puerto Rican man of color were issues still prevalent in Puerto Rican culture nowadays. Race relations are weird and complicated when you’re Puerto Rican, especially when you’re living in the US, so I liked that this memoir explored that. It handled this topic in a multifaceted way. Piri’s anger and frustration towards his family because of their complex race relations was incredibly well portrayed. I could imagine where his need to fully immerse himself in the black experience to further understand himself came from. Furthermore, this memoir didn't shy away from portraying how not only was Piri on the receiving end of racism, but he was also racist towards others due to his internalized racism. Therefore, I found it very enlightening to see how this book approached the topic of race, and I thought it dealt with it really well.
Honestly. That's about all I want to say about this memoir. I don't want to think about it anymore. It doesn't feel right to rate it 1. because I don't like rating people's lives and 2. because as a reader in 2019 reading a memoir that was written in 1967 I'm bound to have some problems other readers wouldn't have had at the time this was published. So. Do with the little I have said what you will.
Most of my thoughts on this memoir can be summarized in one sentence: I understand this memoir as a product of its time, but it doesn't mean I have to like it.
I feel really shitty saying this, but I really didn't like Piri Thomas. My dislike of him really tainted my desire to want to continue reading this memoir and analyzing it for its merits. I understand that Piri was a product of his circumstances and that part of the point of this memoir is to illuminate how you end up down a certain path due to systematic oppression and racism, but that doesn’t mean I have to enjoy or like the shitty actions and decisions Piri makes. Therefore, I understand why Piri did certain things he did (the drug use, the letting gay men drug him and assault him, the selling of pot, the controlling of women and constantly being sexually involved with women so he could posture, etc etc). I get it. But I don’t have to like it.
What especially rubbed me the wrong way was the way Piri talked to women and about women. I just couldn't let it go. It made me so uncomfortable, and it bothered me far more than his thieving (and other questionable behavior). There were times where he literally detailed feeling entitled to hit his current girlfriend and like. . . No thanks. And the whole wanting to wait to have sex with his girlfriend until after they were married but hooking up with other girls while he was still in this relationship? Ew. Again. No thanks.
If there was one thing I really enjoyed about this memoir was its discussion about race. The problems Piri experienced as a Puerto Rican man of color were issues still prevalent in Puerto Rican culture nowadays. Race relations are weird and complicated when you’re Puerto Rican, especially when you’re living in the US, so I liked that this memoir explored that. It handled this topic in a multifaceted way. Piri’s anger and frustration towards his family because of their complex race relations was incredibly well portrayed. I could imagine where his need to fully immerse himself in the black experience to further understand himself came from. Furthermore, this memoir didn't shy away from portraying how not only was Piri on the receiving end of racism, but he was also racist towards others due to his internalized racism. Therefore, I found it very enlightening to see how this book approached the topic of race, and I thought it dealt with it really well.
Honestly. That's about all I want to say about this memoir. I don't want to think about it anymore. It doesn't feel right to rate it 1. because I don't like rating people's lives and 2. because as a reader in 2019 reading a memoir that was written in 1967 I'm bound to have some problems other readers wouldn't have had at the time this was published. So. Do with the little I have said what you will.
June 14, 2009
Down These Mean Streets
By: Piri Thomas
ISBN: 0-679-78142-0
331 pages
Publisher: Vintage Books
1967
$12.95
Down these mean streets by Piri Thomas is a very interesting book. It has a lot of details that would put you into the characters foot. Piri Thomas was a 12 years old kid who lived in the Spanish Harlem of New York. He grew up with his friends and they always had each others back. Piri was a boy living in a poor apartment. In the winter it would be freezing temperature in their house. His father had a job that would barely pay off for them to live. But then they moved into the Italian Harlem. And from there, Piri has been dealing with a lot of trouble.
This book puts you into the shoes of Piri Thomas. You can actually feel Piri’s feelings if you read this book. Every move and feeling he gets, you can feel it. It is amazing at how this book puts you into his shoes. I guess it is because of how he uses his words. It has a great word vocabulary. When I read this book I really enjoyed it, and I am not a fan of non-fiction books.
This book also has a great story line. It puts you right into the story. It puts you in the part where Piri had run away from home, and he doesn’t really know if he should go home or if he shouldn’t. And Piri is only 12 years old, and he has ran away from home, so he has probably been under a lot of problems with his life from this one part and you can tell because it is not likely for a 12 year old boy to run away from home.
It also shows about family and love. In the beginning of the book, Piri wasn’t really treated normally. His dad didn’t really show that he loved him. His mom and siblings were close. The dad really just sat and watched television and demanded things. He also had a short temper. He never really showed Piri and his family that he loved them, but when Piri was in a lot of trouble, he did everything to help Piri out in time of need. Even though he showed it in a rough way, he stilled loved his family.
This book is full of many more thriving situations. It is filled with pictures made by the text. The story line just gets better as it goes. And even though you won’t notice it, the family will love each other. And so will other people as they meet up. And this book is a book that I recommend for people who really like life situations and books that are realistic.
By: Piri Thomas
ISBN: 0-679-78142-0
331 pages
Publisher: Vintage Books
1967
$12.95
Down these mean streets by Piri Thomas is a very interesting book. It has a lot of details that would put you into the characters foot. Piri Thomas was a 12 years old kid who lived in the Spanish Harlem of New York. He grew up with his friends and they always had each others back. Piri was a boy living in a poor apartment. In the winter it would be freezing temperature in their house. His father had a job that would barely pay off for them to live. But then they moved into the Italian Harlem. And from there, Piri has been dealing with a lot of trouble.
This book puts you into the shoes of Piri Thomas. You can actually feel Piri’s feelings if you read this book. Every move and feeling he gets, you can feel it. It is amazing at how this book puts you into his shoes. I guess it is because of how he uses his words. It has a great word vocabulary. When I read this book I really enjoyed it, and I am not a fan of non-fiction books.
This book also has a great story line. It puts you right into the story. It puts you in the part where Piri had run away from home, and he doesn’t really know if he should go home or if he shouldn’t. And Piri is only 12 years old, and he has ran away from home, so he has probably been under a lot of problems with his life from this one part and you can tell because it is not likely for a 12 year old boy to run away from home.
It also shows about family and love. In the beginning of the book, Piri wasn’t really treated normally. His dad didn’t really show that he loved him. His mom and siblings were close. The dad really just sat and watched television and demanded things. He also had a short temper. He never really showed Piri and his family that he loved them, but when Piri was in a lot of trouble, he did everything to help Piri out in time of need. Even though he showed it in a rough way, he stilled loved his family.
This book is full of many more thriving situations. It is filled with pictures made by the text. The story line just gets better as it goes. And even though you won’t notice it, the family will love each other. And so will other people as they meet up. And this book is a book that I recommend for people who really like life situations and books that are realistic.
March 4, 2019
The book :
, is very well written,very visual, you feel like you are on the streets with the author. Also despite knowing the story, each chapter is an unexpected series of events.
The story, :
a semi autobiographical story of Piri Thomas a Puerto Rican who gets caught up in the street in 1940’s - 1950’s including gangs, prison etc. However despite most descriptions, Piri issues aren’t due to per se, living i the ghetto or poverty or family dysfunction ( although they create a perfect setting) It is a psychological complex of rejection and acceptance. He experiences rejection from school,girls jobs etc, largely related to his skin color. But he is not prepared for this ( or expecting) like his “ Negro friends” because he is “ not a Black but a Puerto Rican” Afro - Latino pride is not exactly a thing yet. He literally relives these rejections in his head over and over which leads him to poor choices to prove acceptance by neighbors or the boys. His complex is only worsened by his Latino family who of course don’t discuss race or his darkness and does not validate his anxieties.
Anyway these issues push him to heroin , robbery and prison. Not until the latter, does he starts to look at life differently .
The meaning:
The book gave good insight into the psychology of boys of color who fall into dysfunction, not being able to cope with a rejecting society. I think it’s a good book for discussion with young men and parents should read also .
, is very well written,very visual, you feel like you are on the streets with the author. Also despite knowing the story, each chapter is an unexpected series of events.
The story, :
a semi autobiographical story of Piri Thomas a Puerto Rican who gets caught up in the street in 1940’s - 1950’s including gangs, prison etc. However despite most descriptions, Piri issues aren’t due to per se, living i the ghetto or poverty or family dysfunction ( although they create a perfect setting) It is a psychological complex of rejection and acceptance. He experiences rejection from school,girls jobs etc, largely related to his skin color. But he is not prepared for this ( or expecting) like his “ Negro friends” because he is “ not a Black but a Puerto Rican” Afro - Latino pride is not exactly a thing yet. He literally relives these rejections in his head over and over which leads him to poor choices to prove acceptance by neighbors or the boys. His complex is only worsened by his Latino family who of course don’t discuss race or his darkness and does not validate his anxieties.
Anyway these issues push him to heroin , robbery and prison. Not until the latter, does he starts to look at life differently .
The meaning:
The book gave good insight into the psychology of boys of color who fall into dysfunction, not being able to cope with a rejecting society. I think it’s a good book for discussion with young men and parents should read also .
March 2, 2012
This book is truly amazing. It first caught my eye because it was about a Puerto Rican and as a Puero Rican myself, it loved to see what my own kind have been through before i was born. This book talks about a young boy who goes through many problems in his life and tries to overcome it by changing his ways. I liked the way the author incorporated his spanish slang into it. In the beginning i truly did like the character, but after getting deeper and deeper into the book, i realized the character was changing to fit in. He wasnt being true to himself and it disappointed me that someone the same nationality as me would change who he is to make others happy. I would not change who i am for someone elses happyness. I recommend this book to people who are hispanic and go through problems as a young kid. People who can relate to Piri in the sense that Piri was only about 10 when his life began to go down hill. Drugs and gangs got into his life at such a young age that by the time he got older it was already to late. I dont recommend this book to people who dont like reading alot and or dont like the truth that Piri says. This book really is great, and if you give it a chance you just might like it as much as I did. I give it 5 stars.
Have fun and enjoy !!!!!!!
Have fun and enjoy !!!!!!!
March 2, 2012
The book Down These Mean Streets is a memoir about a young Puerto Rican, named Piri Thomas, growing up in New York City. The book is told from the author's perspective and he gives us a brief look into his mind, where he argues with himself on what to do while facing racial discrimination, a life of crime and drugs, an identity crisis, jail time and a religion conversion. After his prison sentence his perspective of things change but only after he finds that he is slowly going back to his old lifestyle while on parole. The book takes place mostly in "El Barrio" (Spanish Harlem), where he introduces you to his childhood friends, some which he meets again when he's older. Piri goes through most of the book arguing with himself whether he is a dark skinned Puerto Rican or black like society says he is.
This book teaches a valuable lesson to young teenagers, that if you choose the same lifestyle Piri lived, you will regret many things. When he finally learns his lesson it is too late. I liked that i could relate to the book as a young hispanic growing up in the same city, but i felt like the book got boring in the middle. Overall I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to those that have extra time to read.
This book teaches a valuable lesson to young teenagers, that if you choose the same lifestyle Piri lived, you will regret many things. When he finally learns his lesson it is too late. I liked that i could relate to the book as a young hispanic growing up in the same city, but i felt like the book got boring in the middle. Overall I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to those that have extra time to read.
March 2, 2010
Down these mean streets is a story about a young boy growing up in spanish Harlem. We see him go through alot of trouble and pain as he travels through the art of becoming a man. The main character Piri Thomas has an anger problem and grows up showing lots of violence that eventually lands him in jail. One of the central problems in this book is family trouble. Piri as a young boy feels that his father in some way doesn't love him. "Pops i wonder, how come me and you is always on the outs? Is it something we don't know nothing about? Why do i feel so left outta things with you-like moms is both of you to me, like if you and me was just an accident around here?"(pg.22). Piri's anger problem lands him in jail for 6 years and his family ultimately becomes ashamed of him. This remind me of the book Push i read by Sapphire and the main character Precious has family issues and problems with her mother and father and the look at her journey as she goes from a young girl to young mother. This book walks you through the life of a boy growing into a man and the things he had to go through to get there. I would reccommend this book to young boys who are becoming men.
March 2, 2012
The book Down These Mean Streets is by Piri Thomas. The main topic of the book is a memoir, about Piri who struggles throughout the book. The book addresses many problems. One problem the book address frequently about being prejudice and trying to overcome that problem. The setting of the book takes place in New York,in the 20s and 30s. The main character Piri has problems throughout the book with trusting and making executive decisions. The book is interesting in many ways because the author shows a time where there was a lot of prejudice people and how people reacted it to it. The book connects to larger issues in which people growing up and living in a time of prejudice people. The book affected me in which a Puerto Rican kid struggled to overcome prejudice times. The book relates to me in which I am a Puerto Rican kid and even today people still have prejudice minds against different people. The books positives are that it is interesting, and the character in the book has unique qualities. THer negatives is that it has a slow point in the book and that the book is to long. I would recommend the book to all people because everyone can be prejudice to peoples.
January 9, 2008
I didn't particularly like this book... I read it for a book report for a biography.. It's about a boy, Piri Thomas, in his early teens who lives in the segregated neighborhood of Spanish Harlem, also known as, El Barrio. Piri finds, even at a rather young age, that he has to fight to show his strength and bravery. He has to fight people who will later become his close friends; they have to know that he'll be able to back them up and defend himself and keep his "cool". Piri is often faced with tough issues like racism, being caught in the middle between his Puerto Rican blood, and his appearance of being black. He feels like an outsider looking at his family because everyone, besides his dad, looks white. He later moves out and is faced with more and more dangerous issues like dealing and using drugs, and armed robbery. This book is a door into things that to me, were never given in a real context or perspective. It tells about a life on the street and how one thing, as simple as the color of his skin and difference in his language set him apart.
March 2, 2012
Down These Mean Streets by Piri Thomas. This book is a memoir about a kid growing up in spanish Harlem.
This book takes place in Spanish Harlem, the main character Piri he has problems with his father and having difficult time to connect.
This book is fairly good and interesting to read mainly because this book has a lot of drama and Piri wants to solve his problems without any help from anyone.This book affected me in many ways because Piri started smoking and joined a gang which surprised me. This sort of relates to other people because people makes many mistakes in they're in a very short amount of time. The writing style of the book is unique because it has some Spanish word and profanity in the book which really caught my attention. Piri is likable because he goes through a lot and makes bad decisions because he doesn't have a role model to follow. I recommend this book to mostly to teenagers because a lot of teens have this problem and they can relate to it and see what he does to solve his issues
This book takes place in Spanish Harlem, the main character Piri he has problems with his father and having difficult time to connect.
This book is fairly good and interesting to read mainly because this book has a lot of drama and Piri wants to solve his problems without any help from anyone.This book affected me in many ways because Piri started smoking and joined a gang which surprised me. This sort of relates to other people because people makes many mistakes in they're in a very short amount of time. The writing style of the book is unique because it has some Spanish word and profanity in the book which really caught my attention. Piri is likable because he goes through a lot and makes bad decisions because he doesn't have a role model to follow. I recommend this book to mostly to teenagers because a lot of teens have this problem and they can relate to it and see what he does to solve his issues
March 25, 2011
I was sick last week so I picked up some light uplifting reading at the library for an extended stay in bed. Piri Thomas' Down These Mean Streets, being one of the books. I'd read it years ago, and then was recently reminded of it by a fellow goodreader, so I decided to try it again. Seriously, it is a well crafted, well written, highly observant, and intelligent book. Thomas wrote this in 1960's, it was published in '67 – and really since then what has changed? Maybe the current drug of choice and the gentrified neighborhood. But certainly not the racism, classism, or the hatred. But it's Thomas' ability to look within, to ask the hard questions, and to know the answers when he feels their truth that really make his book what it is – a defining depiction of a time, place, and consciousness.
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October 9, 2016For me, this book is about symmetry. This 30th Anniversary Edition was published about 19 years ago - roughly a year before the two oldest girls in our book club for incarcerated youth were born. This is the final book they've read with the club, as they will be transferred to adult units within the next month. I have my opinions, but await theirs and how this aligns, intersects and diverges from their experience. It all rings true, yet I want to know their assessment as women who are even more thrown away and chewed up in this world he describes that did the same for him as he also did the same with and to himself and others. Also interested in the discussion it will generate among those who are young, black and brown and those in the unit who are black within brown, brown within black and have found themselves being treated as neither. It's a classic for a reason.
March 2, 2012
This is a great book, i enjoy reading it,because it makes me wonder whats going to happen next and keeps me reading it and not wanting to stop.
This book connects to lots of larger issues that happens to young teens,growing up in neighborhoods where all you see is violence and drugs.
This book can perfectly be described as how hard it is for a young teen to grow up when he feels like he is alone in a cold new world.
Some positive things about this book is that the chapters has titles that give's you something to think about and i love the fact that i can relate to this book somehow, because it explains of certain conflicts a young teen faces while growing up.
I dislike that the book is sort of long but at the end its worth reading.
This book connects to lots of larger issues that happens to young teens,growing up in neighborhoods where all you see is violence and drugs.
This book can perfectly be described as how hard it is for a young teen to grow up when he feels like he is alone in a cold new world.
Some positive things about this book is that the chapters has titles that give's you something to think about and i love the fact that i can relate to this book somehow, because it explains of certain conflicts a young teen faces while growing up.
I dislike that the book is sort of long but at the end its worth reading.
May 29, 2012
In Down These Mean streets I learned that it takes a lot of work to notice your mistakes. In the book piri learned from his mistakes becuase he went to jail and then realize that what he did was terrible. I would say that he grew as a person, that he would'nt do the same thing again. This book made me realize that I should'nt do what he did so I won't get thrown in jail. I would recommed this book to evey person because it help me and it will help anybody else. I really like this book and everybody should read this book.
July 12, 2007
When I picked up this book at the bookstore, I could not put it down. I walked out the store with the book open and finished reading this book a few days later. All the stories of Piri's youth pulled me into his world. I felt as though I was the one growing up during his time. There were many themes that I could personally relate to, themes of prejudice, racism and struggle. This book is surely a book that will make you feel his joy and pain.
April 8, 2009
HEY MY NAME IS TANEYSHA AND I LOVE TO READ.THIS BOOK I READ WAS IN DETENTION ONE DAY CUZ IT LOOK MAD INTERESTING FROM THE COVER THE WAY THE STREET LOOKS.ALSO THIS BOOK SHOWS TO MUCH BAD LANGUAGE WORDS THAT I USE WHEN I AM MAD.THIS BOOK SHOWS YOU THE BAD WAY TO SOLVE PROBLEMS. I WOULD NEVER SOLVE PROBLEMS THAT WAY LIKE CRUSING AND OTHER STUFF.WOULD YOU SLOVE PROBLEMS LIKE THAT BY CRUSING OUT A PRESON?
CRAZY!!!!!!!!
CRAZY!!!!!!!!
May 28, 2012
The book "Down These Mean Streets" was the first book I've read about a kid like Piri Thomas. Piri was going through poverty and racism. The book cover reminded me of Brooklyn that's why I chose it. Honestly, there were some parts where the same events happened constantly. There were some thrilling events. I wouldn't find myself reading another book like this one. It was mostly about drugs, street fighting, and robbery.
April 12, 2018
This was required reading for class but it was a good read. I don’t even know how to review this because its in no way the perfect book, but it so interesting to look at how Piri deals with his masculinity and his race (or denial of his race, if you will) and so many other issues. Also this book sadly says a lot about us latinxs. I don’t really know what else to say... cksfjfkdj. It’s a quick read, so if you’re interested in Nuyorican identity/Piri’s life then give it a go.
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