Street Boys: 7 Kids. 1 Estate. No Way Out. A True Story. [Paperback]

 

 

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I was given this book by my daughter as I ahd just finished a PhD which focussed on young black men. I could not put the book down and whilst I knew something of the lives of young black men, this book illuminated so well the struggles they face living in dreadful parts of London with no hope. Many had absent fathers and no role models.
Whilst no one should condone such violence, one needs to look to the 'hard' lives they lived without support, hope, love and direction.

One of the best books I have read and wish I had come across it sooner

By far one of the best books i have ever read ! A real eye opener to how other people live their lives !!

I could not put the book down in fact id finished it within 24 hours !

Being now an adult that was bought up on a fairly rough council estate and often hang around south London for most my youthful age, I believe the book showed a true reflection on how the young boys felt and why they believed at the time, it was justifiable to act the way they did. The writer has grasped the London street language (actually) particularly well, considering the age group of the characters in the book and all credit to the writer, not many authors are accustomed to that sort of chat and thus have to imitate.
Responding to what another review said - Thank god, this book is not the typical condescending case study that often creates the perpetrator as the victim and/or overly sensitive to the subject matter. As yes, many of us were what some would say, socially deprived. Many stole because our mothers could not buy us the things we wanted - (not always needed)! Yes, many were bought up on one-parent families, took or sold drugs and most the people I know have ended up at least once in jail. On the contrary, to what another reader said, I believe, Pritchard represents this 'group' well. I think, for the sake of the boys, the writer purposely avoids making this story another big drama but offers what they say, (on the streets) 'it is what it is!' In addition, this is a good forum for the representation of those who have lived it and come through it! The author caught on to fine detail which rang true to home, such as a mother working long hard hours, but, leaving her children to fend (in some ways) on their on. Moreover, children pick up and grasp bad habits hence making poor decisions. Then saying that, a highly educated Harrow boy can also make poor decisions based on neglect of some sort and become a cocaine addict. Shall we class him as under-privileged? We live in London, access to the welfare system, housing and some opportunities, (maybe often limited). However, it is better then other countries. I hate overly sensitive writers who become overwhelmed with what they believe is new news and have their blinkers on and are sucked in to some times the very manipulating streets. 'Academic studies' have often failed to deliver the truth as almost all of these studies are gathered by professionals who meet people that are still in the mix of the streets who can not yet see or admit the whole realism of their actions. Those who have moved away from such activity and circles eventually realise, they did not know better or were not shown any other way of living. In addition, this is not because there wasnt other choices and roads to take! I sometimes believe that studies are there to mislead the general public and create class differences in order to hold back people from progressing or mixing. They create a false stigmatisation on groups - for example, cockney accents are often interpretated as a a person from a working class background, making other circles stereotypes them! Anyhow, we have repeatedly experienced failed government incentives as they are based upon academic misleads. These are the authoritative perspectives and figures on our urban adolescents today. In addition, most of these people have never been through it, yet, they make 'creative' decisions on such issues. Again, they are often the first to feel sorry for this under-privileged group and label them as such, which is another way of categorizing, like we done in ethnicity and class. Pritchard has written this book in a smart manner, kept the writing neutral with quotations of the boys, illustrating true events, which indicate to me authenticity rather then overly analysing and creating a bundle of judgment and nonsense that often skips the rawness of the true ordeal! Well done to him.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read....a real eye opening into innercity life!
I work locally to where this book is focused in forensic mental health. We see young men like this day in and day out. Read more

Published 10 months ago by Beth Kelly

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing
After reading the reviews on this book with the "cant put it down" statement being to the fore, I was very disappointed with this book. Read more

Published 14 months ago by Murray Firth

1.0 out of 5 stars Poorly written and poorly researched....
I had high hopes for this book, thinking it would offer an authoritative perspective on urban adolescent society. Unfortunately, it simply didn't deliver. Read more

Published 16 months ago by Robert Lawson

2.0 out of 5 stars repetitive
This book was very repetitive. I found it boring, it was the same thing over and over.

Published 22 months ago by lynneje

5.0 out of 5 stars street boys
this book i couldnt put down,so interesting!..you just dont realise what goes on in the real world.brilliant!

Published 22 months ago by Ms. F. Caventer

5.0 out of 5 stars Fanatastic

This book was excellant. Real. Every teenager, parent needs to read it.

Published on 3 Dec 2009 by Vivian Charge

3.0 out of 5 stars No real story line
Like the fact that it was based in England and London, but I fear the market base for this book will not extend further than that. Read more

Published on 16 April 2009 by Liam Richards

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