Jimmy Santigo Baca is better known for his Poetry, but in his non-fiction book, "A Place to Stand", he invites you experience the life that molded him into a poet. Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom in order to appreciate life.
Jimmy was born into rock bottom, with an alcoholic father who left his family, and a mother who left because she thought she deserved a better one. Jimmy was left to be raised with his grandparents, who would punish him physically and mentally. As soon a he was old enough, he ran away with a girl that intoxicated him more than the drugs he would get addicted to. Which led to jail, where he would see the harsher side of humanity, that at times was animalistic. You will read his experience but not want to believe. You wont believe that a man could come to better himself under such conditions. His talent as a poet comes out in the descriptions and imagery that will make you go read. Truly a great piece of work. That which breaks a man into a jigsaw puzzle and puts him back together again.
Deserving 4 out of 5 garlics.
No comments:
Post a Comment