Grand Central Winter
A while ago someone on ABCtales (it may have been Emily, but I'm not sure) recommended Grand Central Winter by Lee Stringer. In fact, I think there was an excerpt from the book on the homepage. It was so good that I immediately got in touch with The Book Place and ordered it.
Now a while ago I'd toyed with the idea of going homeless for a couple of weeks so that I could write about the situation. The challenges and solutions would interest me, as would the people I'd meet.
Lee Stringer was homeless in New York City for no less than 10 years, so I guess he can write with a touch more authority than I would have been able to had I attempted my big adventure. I'd have probably given up after a couple of days anyway.
Lee ended up editor of Street News, the New York equivalent of the Big Issue, so there's genuine interest here for all ABCtalers with our connection to the Big Issue.
One of the high points in the book for me is when he bumps into his old boss while collecting cans:
"For a second I burn with embarrassment; the old me, the one who measured men by the cut of their suits, is ashamed to be caught so lowly. Yet, just as quickly, I am again the new me, the one shorn of his props, and I am looking at the old me's former boss.
"'Wajdi,' with now casual surprise.
"'How are you, Lee?' he says. He has a quick and disarming smile. I shrug. What can I say?
"'So you are collecting cans?'"
Lee's boss then goes on to tell him that an old sales letter he left on the computer is still used as as a model for all the company's sales letters. He tells him that there's still nothing in the company that doesn't have his hand in it. He asks if he misses it, and Lee tells him that he's no less happy now than he was then, and in fact he wasn't all that happy then. He tells him that he doesn't find living on the streets a major inconvenience anyway.
This is a highly intelligent man who can write with a lot of force and power and who has been homeless for 10 years. It is a must read. Published by Seven Stories Press, but you can find it by clicking on The Book Place above.
