Sometimes you come across a book that is just so raw and natural, you can’t help but want to see what happens next, especially when it shows you a side of life few rarely (and thankfully) ever see. This is the case with STREET RAISED, a novel from first-time author Pearce Hansen. Expanding on events in his youth, Hansen writes about the people who fall through the cracks of society, and who will do whatever they have to in order to protect their own and survive every day.
His main character is a just-released prisoner named Speedy, who is trying to make it back to Oakland, where his brother and friends live. Along the way, we’re given glimpses as to the type of person Speedy is. He is not someone you would want to screw around with, as a driver who tries to make a sexual advance on Speedy soon learns. Same with the crowd of lot lizards who hang around a massive truck stop and live by their own set of rules. Speedy is not the type looking for handouts, but when push comes to shove, you better hope he is on your side.
Once back in Oakland, Speedy meets up with Fat Bob, a member of his old crew, now a bouncer who is not scared of anything and is itching for a fight. Then there is Willy, Speedy’s little brother, who is hooked on crack and running with a dangerous crowd, including the guy they call Ghost, who is just evil personified. Hansen does a great job with these introductions, pretty much grabbing the reader by the throat, showing you that this is the real world, folks – the type of world you drive through as fast as possible with your windows rolled up.
Some of these characters seem to be likable, but on the whole, you sure wouldn’t want to hang out with them for long stretches of time. But these are just small little vignettes leading you into Hansen’s guided tour. Once Speedy, Bob and Willy have an idea for one last score to settle, you’re so drawn in by his writing, you hope STREET RAISED won’t end too soon, even if things seem headed for a horrific climax.
I’ve really got to hand it to Pearce for writing a book like this: so visceral, raw and unapologetic. It’s such a breath of fresh air for a crime story. –Bruce Grossman
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