Songs from the Alley
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Book Overview
Hirsch writes a startling account of life on the streets. Wendy and Amanda both came from the suburbs, both had dreams of lasting love and security. But befoer age 30, both women were homeless.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:0899194885
ISBN13:9780899194882
Release Date:January 1989
Publisher:Ticknor & Fields
Length:420 Pages
Weight:1.65 lbs.
Customer Reviews
2 ratings
Well written and thoughtful book about homeless women in America
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
I was left with one thought after reading this book: when has society done enough? What is the social obligation to a young woman who willingly leaves her home to live in the streets because she isn't happy living with her family? I felt little sympathy for Amanda, the first of two homeless Boston women who were profiled in the book. Wendy, the second woman profiled in the book, ended up living on the streets through a far more complicated set of circumstances, and reading her story was a far more profound experience. Getting her off the streets and keeping her in sheltered care would be a difficult and perhaps impossible goal to achieve. A person must be amenable to change if they are going to succeed in long-term shelter care or assisted living, and someone with a bad drug habit and mental health issues may not be willing or able to succeed even in the most structured living environment. I'm disappointed to note that this book has gone out of print.
This book is more than an eye opener
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
We hear the phrase "it could happen to any of us" so often but most of us don't believe it. This book will tell you how easily it can happen. The stories of these women are heartwrenching, but yet, very educational. I could not put this book down and since reading it, I have been looking for similar books to purchase. We all need to educate ourselves more about people on the street. We should be outraged that this can happen in a rich country as ours. Next time you see a homeless person, don't look at that person in disgust and be jugdemental. Instead, think of ways you may be able to help.
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