Living for the City

These 23 stories with reoccurring characters are essential reading for anyone interested in the cultural history of Los Angeles. In the words of the author: "What I hope I've done with living for the city is conjure up the black Los Angeles I grew up in during the seventies without all the gangster hype but showing that world as bittersweet as it was. Many of these stories were written when I was a teenager living that life." This is reflected in the highly autobiographical tone many of the stories assume, as well as the straightforward style. Although there is a lot of desperation in the characters, and depictions of being trapped (mentally and physically), Tervalon shows the reader unexpected characters and their desires. If you like this, find a copy of Edward Jones' collection of stories about Washington, DC, Lost in the City, which is sadly out-of-print.