I’ve spoken earlier about my Genre Jumps. This is where I take a genre that I don’t read and jump in. I do some research, looking for the “classics” of the genre, and then read 10-15 books on the subject. I’m doing a Detroit Jump.
Right now I’m reading Made in Detroit by Paul Clemens. Hubby and I are reading it together. He likes it better than I do. It’s a “guy” book. It’s a coming of age story about coming of age in Detroit. It’s getting a little repetitive but it’s been good.
I read a book about the mafia in Detroit, and a book about Hudson’s. Both were from the “Images of America” series so they had a lot of photos and they were excellent.
Next on the list was “Grand River and Joy” by Susan Messner. Dog. Apparently the author was living as a child in Detroit during the riots of 1967, which is when the novel is set, but it just isn’t realistic. In the first ten pages I’m thinking, “this doesn’t feel like Detroit.” Even the way she referred to Hudson’s felt wrong and I’m huge on Hudson’s lately.
I’m re-reading Rivethead: Tales from the Assembly Line by Ben Hamper. It’s set in Flint but it’s a classic in the genre of factory work and I haven’t found another book out of Detroit about being on the line.
I’ll be reading more about the plans to consolidate Detroit space-wise. They imploded Hudson’s. I’m not feeling a lot of sympathy about imploding some of areas dragging Detroit down. Houses in my family’s history have also been bulldozed by the highways that were built through the city. I get it. Detroit is a moving, growing, physical entity. And if Detroit can be improved, improve it. It was the country’s 4th largest city at one point, and a thriving one at that. Let’s at least try to improve it now. Consolidate services, consolidate schools, consolidate housing. The city can’t support the space it has now, from snow removal to schools. Burned out buildings from the 67 riots still stand. If we can improve on that level of poverty, then improve on it. And be careful who you put in charge of it. I’m not sure what that attitude “makes me.” Let me know if you know.:
http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2010/03/downsizing_detroit_mayor_dave.html
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