Compelling reading and a great expose on life in New York in the late 60s/early 70s. The story concerns the murder of a low-level criminal and examines the individual, the crime and society in general from the point of view of various locals. the is This was written by Gil Scott-Heron when he was 19 and is an amazing first novel. The story really draws you in with its great characters and vivid description. The colloquial language can be a little hard to follow at times but hang in there. It's worth it. ( )