Grace After Midnight

3.5 stars out of 5

My fascination with the series "The Wire" (on which more later) led me to find this book, an autobiography from one of the characters on the show, who was apparently plucked from her gangster/drug dealing life to play a gangster-drug dealer on the show. I must say that one the show she is very convincing - I can barely understand a word she says because of her accent/slang/profanity.

The book is unique because there are very few autobiographies from gangsters raised to be drug dealers. Obviously, the education level is low and there isn't much introspection. But it is an enlightening look at life in the slums of Baltimore - despite having supportive grandparents she quickly gravitates to life in the streets - violent crime, drugs, sex, prison, etc. It isn't pretty. But it's also hard to see her alternatives. She does finally get locked away for 7 years, which probably saves her life. Most of her patrons and co-workers are dead or in prison for life by the time she gets out.

I enjoyed the book - there is a bit too much detail at times, but overall it paints the picture pretty well. One of the most interesting details is the reverence that she and the street life had for Tupac, the gangsta rapper. She was really moved when she heard he died. What a life.