THE MONSTER CHRONICLES

Scott’s story should have been encouraging and uplifting, but it was depressing. What’s going to be celebrated about his book won’t be his rehabilitation but the parts about gang life. You can just feel the earth move with the excited tremblings of the middle-class publishers, agents and managers getting close enough to smell a Real Gang Member.

Who wants to read a book written by some kid who was a mechanic or a computer programmer, someone who hasn’t shot or beaten up anybody? But a Gang Member--hey, man, that’s real--that’s Experience!

FRANCIS MEGAHY

Los Angeles