The History of Vegas

The History of Vegas is an excellent read. Angel's stories are not courageous---they are core. She offers a different angle of insight into the lives of the surviving young. Each story carries its reader through rare and heavy moments of young folk making decisions about their lives, love, children, and bodies as if they are adults. The saying "too grown before it's time" literally plays out in Angel's characters and is best shown through one young mother's decision to prostitute her body for... Congratulations to this young, gifted author. I look forward to more! The History of Vegas is recommended.

This new author's first collection is filled with provocative stories about youth balancing their inexperience with hope and inspiration. Angel's writing says it like she sees it, honest and raw sometimes in her imagery. But, it is these same uncomfortable situations and interactions that leave the reader thinking about why the characters act or react the way they do. In fact, in most of Angel's stories, she doesn't give you the only answer at the end of the story. You have to take a moment to reflect to decide what course the character took and why. I enjoyed the intensity of "History." Unlike so many authors that seem formulaic to their approach to plot, setting, conflict, resolution, Angel asks the reader to step up and participate in the evolution of her characters. I enjoyed the challenge. Loved the book; highly recommend.

Okay, so, full disclosure. I grew up with the author. Hell, I probably spurred at least one of the characters in these short stories. Love the translation. So, hey, I knew Jodi was talented, and it's of ZERO surprise to me that her first "published" work would be so good. I remember reading some of her stuff when I was barely two digits old, thinking, "man, I wish I had the knack to tell a story like her." Pay attention to this author - my next prediction is that Quentin Tarantino will pick it up this book and put pieces of it on the big screen. I'm happy - happy that someone with this much talent can't (and refuses to) be swept under the rug. Jodi's works are edgy and unapologetic - and scary enough - they're real. Sure, maybe nothing in this book is based on real events (they come close) but if you think that it could never happen, you're either from Iowa or your kidding yourself. Trust me. Been there, done that, and now I've bought the book.

From the depths of misfortune souls brings about the raw and enticing nefarious endeavors that lurks within all humankind. Jodi Angel embarks on terrain that reaches the realm of social and cultural contexts, which is eloquently expressed throughout this collection of stories. Bold and unmistakable a reflective perspective about the development of adolescence that leaves you astonished.

THE HISTORY OF VEGAS IS A FANTASTIC BOOK BY A FIRST TIME AUTHOR, BUT I'M AFRAID IT IS NOT FOR EVERYONE. THE FIRST STORY IS ABOUT A 12-YEAR-OLD WHOSE BIG SISTER TEACHES HER THE SICK PRACTICE OF REGURGITATING AFTER EVERY MEAL. IF YOU GET PAST THAT STORY, THE NEXT STORY IS ABOUT A JAILBAIT HOOKER. STORY NUMBER THREE IS ABOUT THE AWAKENING OF A BABY DYKE. THERE ARE TEN STORIES IN ALL; I LIKED NINE. YOU WILL ALSO FIND STORIES ABOUT A FEMALE CRACKHEAD, WHO'S ALSO A PROSTITUE; A BOY WHO HAS HOMOSEXUAL FEELINGS FOR HIS BEST FRIEND; AND THE LAST STORY, WHICH IS ABOOUT AN UNDERAGE GIRL WHO WINDS UP SELLING HER BODY TO SUPPORT AN ABANDONED BABY. I GET THE DISTINCT FEELING THAT THE AUTHOR (JODI ANGEL) DID NOT WRITE THESE STORIES TO PLEASE ANYONE. SHE SIMPLY WANTED TO TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT THE SEEDY SIDE OF LIFE THAT I SUSPECT MOST OF AMERICA WOULD LIKE TO PRETEND DOES NOT EXIST. I, ON THE OTHER HAND, APPLAUD MS. ANGEL FOR HER HONESTY, AND HER ABILITY TO GET TO THE UNDERBELLY OF SOCIETY. FOR THIS SHE DESERVES NOT ONLY FIVE STARS, BUT OUR SUPPORT. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK. I GUARANTEE YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.