Always Running: La Vida Loca: Gang Days in L.A.
by Luis J. Rodriguez
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in April, 2005
I found out about this book during my time working at Garfield. There were a lot of books in the classroom libraries about gang life, books of poetry by Tupac Shakur, stuff the students prefered as it had to do with, "you know, real life." Which was, in a way, bullshit. I mean, a few of them, maybe could relate to that, and the ones that could were sorry of the fact and didn't flaunt it. One kid I remember, his older brother had been killed in a gang-related shooting. He wasn't a parti...more
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Read in March, 2008
recommends it for:
the kids I teach
This is a very vivid, literary memoir about growing up into the gang life in Chicano Los Angeles. It was recommended to me by a student who had read it in juvie, and I can see why he liked it. I think this book, for gang members still in their teens, probably could have a real affect on their lives. I found it to be plain good literature, and it made me think about some of the things that I have always thought about with gangs. For one thing, when I was younger, we always had a group of frie...more
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Read in January, 2008
recommends it for:
my students, people who wish to understand gangs and those who join them a little better
A student of mine loaned this to me; her brother heard it was good, bought it, and never read it, though he told his sister to try it. I've been reading it in school while my students read, and numerous students have asked to borrow it. One of my very reluctant readers has flown through it. It's just what my students are interested in.
The memoir, itself, is good, though difficult for a teacher like me to read (and it's hard to rate a memoir -- I think I'm reading this at the right time). Th...more
The memoir, itself, is good, though difficult for a teacher like me to read (and it's hard to rate a memoir -- I think I'm reading this at the right time). Th...more
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Read in October, 2007
Luis Rodriguez speaks out of a virtually unheard experience: a young Chicano man who survived "la vida loca" gang culture in South San Gabriel. Rodriguez' writing is raw and brutally honest, but with a lyricism that will stop readers in their tracks. He gives voice to an unheard cry, and illuminates the heartbreaking cycle of poverty and violence that perpetuates gang wars. He neither simplifies the problem, nor admits defeat. His passion for reconciliation and true empowerment of ...more
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Most of my kids live in the neighborhood around the school which is heavily impacted by gangs. Many are claiming, wanna-bes, or influenced by family or friends that are active in gang activity. Wether they claim or not, gangs are a real part of their lives and they gobble up gang books--especially the autobiographies. I have read and then donated to our class library Once a King, Always a King; Monster: an autobiography of an l.a. gang member; and 8 Ball Chicks. I also contributed Always Run...more
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Gangs, LA, vato locos - I feel ya ese. Luis Rodriguez got heart, and he wrote this in what? 1993. So yeah. It rolls a bit dated but what he's ultimately saying is a message that never gets old.
Although he pretty much sums it up with the quote on page 55:
"You cholos have great stories about climbing fences."
- a barrio boxing coach
Yet the saving grace of the book is Rodriguez's use of language. No kidding this guy is a poet. His p...more
Although he pretty much sums it up with the quote on page 55:
"You cholos have great stories about climbing fences."
- a barrio boxing coach
Yet the saving grace of the book is Rodriguez's use of language. No kidding this guy is a poet. His p...more
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Read in November, 2007
Fast pace life..."The Barrio Vida". Where only death or jail is the door out. Luis finds himself intrigued with the "Cholo" style that belongs in his barrio. What maybe his only way out may not be able to save him in time. I found this book interesting. It started out boring, I can not lie about that, but then as I toughed it out I found myself not being able to take my eyes of the pages, not even for a minute. I detailed alot of struggles I had as a child and I found a mirro...more
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I remember when parents wanted this book banned from the list of books that English teachers were requiring their students to read in school. In spite of all the controversy surrounding this memoir, I felt the author did a good job writing this book and describing his life, beginning with him growing up in the rough neighborhood of East LA and then with him eventually joining a gang which led to a life of crime. Some of his actions will shock you and even make you mad but the good news is that...more
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Read in October, 2007
recommends it for:
anyone who likes a lyrical, gritty, real story
Luis Rodriguez speaks out of a virtually unheard experience: a young Chicano man who survived "la vida loca" gang culture in South San Gabriel. Rodriguez' writing is raw and brutally honest, but with a lyricism that will stop readers in their tracks. He gives voice to an unheard cry, and illuminates the heartbreaking cycle of poverty and violence that perpetuates gang wars. He neither simplifies the problem, nor admits defeat. His passion for reconciliation and true empowerment of mino...more
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Read in January, 2008
Always Running, by Luis Rodriguez,is a thrilling non stop violence true story book! Not that i aprove violence, but this book is great example of what gans and drug abussise can do.I belive that Luis Rodriguez put in a good effort writting it. It actually touch me, and made me realize that living in the getto can acctually help you realize what you want is not always there. No you must presuede it, in order to get it. Always Running is an imazing true story book, and gives the sensation of rea...more
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Read in December, 2006
recommends it for:
people who have lived in east l.a.
i read this book because i am living in east l.a. and comparing what it was like then (70s 80s) and now. its a little too homie gangster for me but i liked it a lot better than living up the street by soto. i dont agree with chicano life because i am not one, but am surrounded by them. the best part is visiting where this book talks about being crazy homie shootings and seeing parks and families now. now im thinking maybe id rather live in macarthur park with the REAL los angelinos
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Read in December, 2007
recommended to William by:
Cris Tovani
What is most intriguing about this book is that it is one of the most banned books in US public schools and also one of the most stolen from public libraries (all of this is according to information presented in the forward of the book). While this book is not one of the best books I have read, the discussion regarding the consequences of societal exclusion is powerful. I'd recommend it to anyone who is concerned urban youth and some of the challenges they face.
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Read in March, 2006
I love that I can read about an existence that is so far removed from my own yet only a couple exits off the highway. This is a sobering account of growing up Chicano in the barrios of L.A. Check out, Shakur's Monster for an even scarier does of gang life and race wars. Yxta Maya Murray tells a gang story, too, in Locas, but her's is about
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Read in April, 2008
This is a great book for anyone to read. It deals with the struggles of life in East LA/San Gabriel for the immigrant population. The author, now a prominent poet and writer, describes his coming of age in a world full of gang warfare, drugs, violence, racial tension, and sexual experiences. This is a great book for teachers dealing with marginalized students. I gained a lot of perspective and admiration for the Chicano culture through this amazing memoir!
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Read in January, 2002
I REALLY liked this book. I think Luis Rodriguez is a good writer. It really made me see a Chicano's perspective growing up thru the history and development of Mexican gang life in LA. I even made a low rider oldies mix cd after I read this book reminiscent of my junior high days, haha...I took this book to the juvenile hall that I worked at and the cholitos enjoyed it as well. It's cool to read books by people who grew up in LA and write about it.
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Who knew? The guy who wrote Zoot Suit went to the same high school I attended. But what a different place it was, years earlier and on the other side of the racial divide. Back when "ESL" meant having your grammar school teacher tell you to go play with blocks while she taught the class. Passionate, well written, and an amazing story of escape from the gangster life, leaving the System behind and finding a successful writing career.
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Read in November, 2007
A very interesting memoir about this author's experience growing up in an East LA barrio as a mexicain immigrant and his experience in the gangs in the 60s and 70s. He eventually came ot of the gangs and tried to facilitate change and equality amongst whites and latinos.
It was kind of graphic and horrible at points. The one beef I have is that the book sort of jumped all over the place. I wanted something more chronological.
It was kind of graphic and horrible at points. The one beef I have is that the book sort of jumped all over the place. I wanted something more chronological.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in June, 2008
I like the true stories of gangsters who write books telling about their lives and the crazy stuff they have done then write books to try to redeem themselves and help out the young gangsters trying to be hardcore. So far I haven't got into any great details but this book is banned a lot of places and some schools are required to read it so I wanted to take a look at it. It does open your eyes to some crazy stuff.
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Read in June, 2000
recommends it for:
any adolescent
man this was a good book. especially for anybody growing up trying to relate to and learn from other people's mistakes. it's a bit of cultural history too. had some great characters that shined with reflections. insightful of LA's chicano youth throughout 60's. Always Running is a wise parent's advice that we should all listen to.
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Read in April, 2008
This book was interesting and i could relate to it in many ways. This book taught me to be grateful for the things that i have now and to take advantage of the opputunites that i am given. This book really did open my eyes to all the things thats going on in my life now. It was an interesting read.
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