Concrete Rainbow

By: Jason Quinn

Narrated by: Jason Quinn

Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Hawaii was ground zero for the crystal meth epidemic in the United States. While tourists have mostly been shielded from witnessing the carnage, crystal meth has wreaked havoc on the people of Hawaii like few other places in the world. On the surface, the novel Concrete Rainbow is the coming-of-age story of a troubled boy caught up in the horrors of drugs and crime. But underneath, it is a meditative study of human behavior, the nuances of cultural identity, and the effects of trauma and abuse on children in a callous society.

Concrete Rainbow focuses on Byron, an angry bi-racial 15-year-old poet, and Kimo, a native Hawaiian felon who is part crime boss, part philosopher. As the two fight their way through the contrasting landscape of O`ahu during the crystal meth epidemic in the early '90s, they find that they share an unspeakable trauma. Through Byron's poetry, humor, violence, and gut-wrenching honesty, author Jason Quinn not only describes the dark parts of Hawaii that tourists rarely see, he describes the darkest parts within us all.

There was another phenomenon that was taking Hawaii by storm in the 1980s and 1990s: rap and hip hop. While troubled, Byron also is a deeply reflective and talented poet. Byron uses those gifts to try to make sense of the chaos around him and the monster within, resulting in insightful poetry and ultra hardcore head bangers.

©2022 Jason B. Quinn (P)2022 Jason B. Quinn

Critic reviews

“A phenomenal manuscript by Jason Quinn about life as lived in the drug-ridden west side of O’ahu. It is deep and it is breathtaking!" (Roger Jellineck, former editor-in-chief of New York Times Book Company)

"The pace of the novel and the trials of the central character are relentless. It is an action-packed tale that doesn’t let up until it’s well deserved ending." (Lee Cataluna, Honolulu-based journalist and award-winning playwright)

GET THIS AUDIOBOOK YOU WON'T REGRET IT

I purchased both the Audible and the book!! No one really likes to shed light on the dark and gritty stories of Hawaii. The subject matter touches on so many things involving crime, drug abuse, mental illness, and most importantly childhood traumas connected to this story.  I don't want to give away too much, so if you're on the fence, JUST DO IT!!!  ALSO, THE AUDIOBOOK IS AMAZING!!!  The audiobook sounds like a PERFORMANCE done by the author chapter by chapter which is crazy because all the characters come to life in his narration.  Another thing I LOVED about the audiobook is there are DIMENSIONAL PIECES OF POETRY, RAP, AND MUSIC to put you and your ears in an ambient, ethereal, and visceral space while listening to the different pieces. 

Stunning

Readings and performances bring the characters to life. Provocative and captivating. The audio book is a visceral experience.

Excellent performance.

The story is pretty intense, but the characters come to life with the performance. In Hawaii there are lots of different types of people and a unique array of dialects and accents. Only a person who grew up here and experienced it can pull off this kind of performance so seamlessly. The original music is very well performed and produced. This is a fine tuned piece of work telling an exciting and tale with unique perspective.

Incredible and gripping

This story was interesting, teeth clenching, tear jerking, funny, and devestating, all at the same time. The characters are visceral, and the interwoven music drives the narrative without telling you how to feel. Highly reccommend.

A thrilling coming-of-age story

Concrete Rainbow is a dark, thrilling coming-of-age story that grabs the reader like undertow. Quinn is a spellbinding storyteller, weaving vivid tales of people and places with confidence and vulnerability. His perspective and specificity could only come from the lived experience of growing up in a certain part of Oahu in the ‘90s. The audiobook is outstanding, as the author flexes his acting chops to create voices for a variety of characters,

Exceptional

This book is truly special. It is more like an experience than just a book. From start to finish it's a journey that pulls the listener in and does not let go. The reader/writer is a gifted voice that commits to every character he reads. For most people, the story will be shocking. A glimpse into American culture that is not talked about nearly enough, the culture of growing up in Hawaii. It's a painful reminder that for every wealthy tourist is an untold story of poverty and struggle. This book is so real, so raw, so gripping and so beautifully told, I loved it. So good, you'll need to listen to some chapters twice. BUY THIS BOOK.

Awesome

Very good story line I’m from makakilo and was having my children during the late 80’s to 90’s this was an easy read

A Rich and Dark Tale

This is a rich spinning of a traumatic coming of age, and an unflinching look at how the people in our lives good and bad shape our perspective. From the rough and real streets of Oahu, we follow Q's journey into dealing drugs, fighting for survival and trying to find the space to process the real emotions underneath. I highly recommend this book, and especially recommend the audiobook. Hearing the author bring each of his characters to life, gives a deeper perspective into the story itself. And to hear the music itself, is a great acoustic bonus.

absolutely loved it!

almost finished it in one sitting. such a great story. had me at the edge of my seat the whole time

Can’t wait for this book to be turned into a motion picture

Jason Quinn delivers the listeners a listening experience like no other audio book I have listened to it or know that exists in such form. From the creative and highly detailed storytelling, to the live music production and vocals, to the rollercoaster ride of a story line, events, and character development, Concrete Rainbow delivers much more than a good listen- it is a one of a kind experience that left me on my seat and eager to hear what was going to happen next! Bravo Jason, thank you for sharing this gift. I am looking very forward to seeing this project be turned into a feature film. Couldn’t recommend it higher to others!