Echo Park

ECHO PARK, a culturally rich oasis in the midst of spralling downtown Los Angeles, has just been immortalized in a terrific new novel by Steve Scott. Rich in color, scents, sights, and character, this first novel is a joy. Scott writes in a nonlinear fashion that at times takes the reader a little too far off track, but when he brings it all together it is clear that this is a unique view of a unique place. Narrated by a gentleman whose closest ally is his telescope (Mr Peepers), we are given a view of Echo Park with all the beautiful bridges, boats, lotus blossoms, and the hookers, hustlers, cops, and assorted oddballs that keep this hotpot bubbling to the very last page. Scott introduces myriad characters - a masturbating priest, the ladies of the Midnight Son who ply their bodies at the Suku Suku bar, the Pastime Jocks of the Armpit Lounge (a collection of bizarre older gay men), and the abused but salvaged hooker Charo who is the pivotal character bringing the explosion of colorful happenings together. At times the author allows his surreal fantasies to confuse the storyline, but his poetic imagery is so lush...and so much fun !...that this minor flaw is quickly overlooked. In the end this Fellini-type cinematic story finds meaning in each of the characters lives/roles, and with the narrator's final letters to his departed friend - Neurotica Jones - summing up a life as viewed through a balcony telescope, we are left caring very much for all the folk of Echo Park. This is a very fine first novel and I encourage everyone who is fascinated with the madness of Los Angeles, in all its mixed ethnic splendor, to jup on for a wild and satisfying ride!