Review of Young Americans

[zarlyn joy delmo]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Young Americans" by Peter S. Rush.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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How was it like being young in the 70s, in love, and dreaming of making it big in the crime world? Young Americans by Peter Rush is a story of Tommy an amateur drug dealer whose life gets entangled in a cat-and-mouse chase after associating himself with a huge drug business through his girlfriend, Sandy. Harry, an ex-convict became one of their business partners and young and naive Tommy thinks he could play his cards well by outsmarting Harry. It was all about the millions for Tommy until he realized that things could turn out worst for both of them when he was left hanging on a supposed million-dollar deal. Sadly for the young couple, the fiasco could cost both of their lives.

Reading this book was like reading into a drug dealer's journal or dictionary. I have to admit that I know little to nothing about drug dealing and reading this book taught me a lot in that area. When I began reading, I tried to imagine myself in the very situation the characters are in - young, infatuated, lured in by power, money, and dived right into the ocean of blood, death, and broken dreams.
The book was set in the 70s, and it makes it more haunting and thrilling knowing how the authorities deal with the drug problems and the absence of much modern technology affects the lives of those who live in the dark. On the other hand, I find the book unappealing in some parts; it felt like the book was telling instead of showing and it made my reading of the book less enjoyable. I also noted some typographical errors in my copy of the book.
It took me a while before I get to warm up to the characters and I started to get why they what they do. I felt a slow movement of the story in the beginning because I really wanted to know how Tommy Sandy get into the drug business in the first place.
On the whole, I still find the book a good read. I am glad I manage to finish the novel despite the fact that it was not a genre I usually read. I also appreciate the message of the story and it makes it worth my time reading it. I give Young Americans by Peter Rush a rating of 3 out of 4 and I recommend it to those who want to read something adventurous and new or for those who want to read a story about the unglamorous side of the world we live in.

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Young Americans
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