Random Family

Love, Drugs, Trouble, and Coming of Age in the Bronx

De: Adrian Nicole LeBlanc

Narrado por: Roxana Ortega

This New York Times bestseller intimately depicts urban life in a gripping book that slips behind cold statistics and sensationalism to reveal the true sagas lurking behind the headlines of gangsta glamour.

One of The New York Times’s 100 Best Books of the 21st Century

In her extraordinary bestseller, Adrian Nicole LeBlanc immerses readers in the intricacies of the ghetto, revealing the true sagas lurking behind the headlines of gangsta glamour, gold-drenched drug dealers, and street-corner society. Focusing on two romances—Jessica’s dizzying infatuation with a hugely successful young heroin dealer, Boy George, and Coco’s first love with Jessica's little brother, Cesar—Random Family is the story of young people trying to outrun their destinies. Jessica and Boy George ride the wild adventure between riches and ruin, while Coco and Cesar stick closer to the street, all four caught in a precarious dance between survival and death. Friends get murdered; the DEA and FBI investigate Boy George; Cesar becomes a fugitive; Jessica and Coco endure homelessness, betrayal, the heartbreaking separation of prison, and, throughout it all, the insidious damage of poverty.

Charting the tumultuous cycle of the generations—as girls become mothers, boys become criminals, and hope struggles against deprivation—LeBlanc slips behind the cold statistics and sensationalism and comes back with a riveting, haunting, and true story.

An amazing piece of real, dedicated journalism.

This is a biography of a big, sprawling LatinX family in 1980's Bronx. The author observed this family without personal intervention for 10 years. Cousins and aunts and veteranas and half-siblings; friends that are every bit family. Her dedication to maintain her objectivity is masterful: these are often impoverished circles, and I can't imagine being the silent observer.
I'm so glad she did: the people in this "Random Family" feel like your family in the end. This is a comforting listen - like dropping in on old friends.

Speechless

This book has been one the most amazing audibles I have come across. I haven’t been trying to find it for years and finally was able to get ahold of it through audible. Coco was my absolute favorite character. She reminded me of so many women in my life. Truly a beautiful told story of the hardships that many people who live on poverty and how the influence of your surrounds and family can shape your life.

Powerful

Wow. This one packs a punch.

It has taken me the better part of a year to read / listen to this book. Adrian Nicole LeBlanc is an incredible journalist and has told this story— of George, Jessica, Cesar, and Coco —so well. Their struggles are real and exhausting and painful, but such an important story to tell. This is some incisive and insightful journalism.

Loved this

This book was so amazing. I wish I could see how everyone turned out. I probably listened to the whole thing in 3 days.

outstanding

love it
narrator was perfect
it felt like I was there my favorite is Ms Scutari

Loveeee this book

I felt like I could picture all the places in the Bronx as the author read the book. Was drawn into Jessica and Coco story the most!

Must read

This is a powerful story of the vicious cycle of poverty in the Bronx. Growing up here and not too far from where the story begins, makes the characters and their circumstances familiar, relatable, and heartbreaking. A must read, no matter your zip code.

Family- no matter what

Highly recommend. Have read this book! And listened! The way the story is told by the characters really grabs you in!

Loved It

A good read.A book to learn from.Boy George was a great man who went to to the street life who found himself with a life term in prison.He will always be the star amongst the moons.Boy Georve,Jessica,Coco,and Cesar,their stories touch my heart.I wish them all well.

Maybe jobs

This book made me less sympathetic to dependent poor. Babies, drugs, and antisocial behavior might be helped with work, work and work.