Dito Montiel

I read this almost in one sitting. It's entertaining. Caught myself rolling my eyes a few times at the hyperbolic descriptions of wild times - had Montiel toned it down a bit, the credibility would have been stronger for me. That being said -- I believe nearly every word of this memoir, based on the context of the time. Some lives are just that incredible. I just found the "extreme wildness" angle distracting, comparing it in my mind to descriptive writers who have had longer periods of show more consistent wildness, and yet don't seem to get so "in-your-face" about it. What I liked best was the way Montiel's love for New York shows itself in his prose, and the spiritual nature he brings into his observations of events. There is also a refreshing lack of negativity in his storytelling. show less

Reminiscent of the beats, and very enjoyable. The story of the author's upbringing in Queens back in the 80's, when Astoria was still a rough-and-tumble narrative. Robert Downey Jr. stars in the film version.

Reminiscent of the beats, and very enjoyable. The story of the author's upbringing in Queens back in the 80's, when Astoria was still a rough-and-tumble narrative. Robert Downey Jr. stars in the film version.

Reminiscent of the beats, and very enjoyable. The story of the author's upbringing in Queens back in the 80's, when Astoria was still a rough-and-tumble narrative. Robert Downey Jr. stars in the film version.