33 pages • 1 hour read
Always Running
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Book Brief
262
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Los Angeles, California • 1970s
1993
Adult
18+ years
830L
Super Short Summary
Always Running is Luis J. Rodriguez's autobiography recounting his experiences as a Mexican-American growing up in gang-ridden East Los Angeles during the 1960s and 70s, detailing his struggles with poverty, education, and gang involvement, ultimately finding redemption through education and community involvement. Themes of violence, drug use, and police brutality appear throughout the narrative.
Challenging
Gritty
Dark
Emotional
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
9,600 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Luis Rodriguez's Always Running offers a gritty, compelling memoir about gang life and personal redemption. Reviewers praise its raw authenticity and emotional depth, noting its powerful social commentary. However, some critics mention its graphic content and uneven pacing. Overall, it’s a poignant narrative that resonates deeply despite its challenging moments.
Who Should Read Always Running?
A reader who resonates with raw, autobiographical accounts of resilience and social injustice, like Sandra Cisneros' The House on Mango Street or Victor Villaseñor's Rain of Gold, will find Always Running by Luis Rodriguez compelling. This memoir of gang life and redemption appeals to those interested in gritty, real-life narratives and Latino cultural experiences.
9,600 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
262
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Los Angeles, California • 1970s
1993
Adult
18+ years
830L
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