Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)There have been literally hundreds of non-fiction books written about Las Vegas. Exactly none of them are like this one.
In his second book, Matthew O'Brien gives the reader a first hand account of the people and places of Las Vegas that the tourist, or even the average resident rarely sees. Far from the glow of neon, 2-for-1 buffets and dancing fountains, there exists a side of Sin City that remains an afterthought, consisting of subterranean catacombs, hard luck strangers, broken dreams, and reams of untold stories.
From the story of a young Canadian girl who vanished without trace, to the surreal accounts of the day to day life experienced by the author while spending a week at a run-down motel; far from it's glory days, and who's only remaining guardians are a German Shepherd watchdog and a seemingly conscious statue of a blue angel, O'Brien writes not only with a reporters eagle eye for detail, but with obvious curiosity and compassion for his subject.
No detail is lost in his description of his exploration of the city's underground water drainage system, and the drifting souls who now call these dark and dangerous tunnels home. The subject is captivating, and I felt the mounting tension as the author describes inching his way through those storm tunnels, unaware of what lies ahead in the darkness, and of who, or what, hey may encounter in such an alien environment. I found myself gripped with anticipation and dread. What greater sign of damn good writing.
This book is a must-read for anyone looking for an alternative view of Las Vegas. These chapters could all be the makings of a fine novel, if they weren't all so true. O'Brien captures the essence and reality of the city itself, instead of focusing on the obvious, and in doing so, paints a picture that is both emotionally heart breaking, historically fascinating, and leaves you with a new perspective on life in Sin City. One can only hope O'Brien has more stories to tell, as Las Vegas will surely never run out of them.
Click Here to see more reviews about: My Week at the Blue Angel: And Other Stories from the Storm Drains, Strip Clubs, and Trailer Parks of Las Vegas
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