Frank BonhamDurango Street

Was first given this book as a school assignment- and remembering the impression it made on me then, with it's gritty realism and atmosphere of danger I decided to reread it years later to see how it held up. The story itself is solid- but what really makes this book interesting to an adult is the context and the detailed world that the main character moves around in. It's also interesting to compare the level of danger and menance in this work from the 1960s with books since- to realize though the characters in Durango Street are in the same type danger as works written since, the style of this is almost tame compared to other works on the same topic. (it is most often compared to the work of S.E. Hinton) Eventually the plot of the book does fall apart at the end of the story because too many things are left dangling. The story is told from the viewpoint of the main character- and several plot points are never resolved- we never know if he overcomes his environment. We are never shown what happens to him in regards to the next confrontation with the other gang he angered- or even told in an epilogue. One of the other driving points of the plot is bungled when the confrontation to it is also never resolved. The book doesn't as much end as it just comes to a sudden stop. It has an interesting setting but there are three or more major plot points just left completely dangling with no resolution. The work has an interesting background but so much is left unresolved Bonham could have written an entire sequel with this same main character. Reading it now I have to say the setting holds up- since it gives people a chance to see a slice of life in words that they wouldn't want to experience- but there are too many plot points left unresolved for no good reason.....and it seems the author is holding back on some gritty details that he could have used to add even more texture to the story to keep things sanitary for his audience. For an adult it might be interesting to read this book and the Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison for example- the works of David Goines, then S.E. Hinton. Taken together these books add different perspectives to a similar topic. Durango Street is worth reading as part of what became a larger genre- because of its dialogue and writing style, even though it has dangling plot lines. Hope this helps.

I watched a movie about this book on Netflix and there was a actor she was reading this paperback book and it looked interesting so that why I bought it here at Amazon

When I started middle school my reading teacher suggested this book as something exciting to get me interested in reading. That was long ago but I found myself thinking about that teacher and that book. I thought it would be great to revisit that reading after all these years. No luck at the library but lucky for me Amazon delivered!

I loved reading this book. It was in great shape and condituon. Brought back memories to my old school reading.

First book I ever read as a young boy in the 1960s that I couldn’t put down. It got me excited about books. I send it to kids today to get them jazzed about books and their possibilities.

Brand new .. Didn't read it yet, can't wait till I start reading it. It'll be the next book I start as soon as I finish the one I'm reading right now.

One day last school year, I placed a copy of this book into one of my reluctant reader's hands. He usually read books I suggested for all of 10 minutes before abandoning them. He so thoroughly enjoyed this book that he handed me $6 right in class one day so that I could order him his own copy to take home for the summer! Success! This is a book I would highly recommend teachers from Junior High through High School have in their libraries and classroom libraries.

I can't really speak from experience of how life for gang members must be. However growing up in low income housing myself, without getting into detail, I can kind of relate to the hardships of what the characters of this book face and still do face today. This book was published in 1965 and from what I read hear and watch, not much has changed. Read it.

Fantastic book to read, really opens your eyes to violence and war. Highly recommended read to all ages. so buy it

this book just doesnt unfortunately have the edge of others like the wanderers or cool world or warriors. maybe its cause its set in a made up place, it just doesnt seem real enough and the style is a bit generic

Na