The Hollywood Kid

Name: The Hollywood Kid
Brand: Allen & Unwin
SKU: 9781786634931
Price: 34.99 NZD
Availability: InStock

The Violent Life and Violent Death of an MS-13 Hitman

By Óscar Martínez and Juan Martinez

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4.12

( 392 ratings, 55 reviews)

Summary

The Hollywood Kid by Óscar Martínez and Juan Martinez delves into the gritty and dangerous world of gang violence in El Salvador. The narrative focuses on a former gang member who emerges as a key player in the drug trade, highlighting the complex interplay of survival, loyalty, and betrayal. The authors offer an unflinching, journalistic portrait of the underworld, blending true crime with a gripping thriller's tension.
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Format: Hardback

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The Hollywood Kid

$34⁹⁹

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this gripping narrative if you're fascinated by true crime stories that delve into the perilous world of gang violence. The authors provide an immersive and chilling exploration of criminal underworlds, blending investigative journalism with compelling storytelling. It's perfect for readers who appreciate detailed accounts of real-life drama and intense, suspenseful crime dynamics.

The Hollywood Kid

The compelling story of the life and death of a Salvadoran gangster

The compelling story of the life and death of a Salvadoran gangster

Description

As a boy, Miguel Ángel Tobar fled a small town in El Salvador torn apart by warring guerrillas and US-backed death squads. As a teen in Los Angeles, he fought discrimination and beatings by joining a gang, MS-13. By the time the US deported him to San Salvador, The Hollywood Kid joined a wave of US-bred gangsters, whose violence—in concert with corrupt officials—has, in turn, helped propel new waves of refugees.

The incomparable Salvadoran journalist Óscar Martínez got to know the Hollywood Kid and met with him as he first turned on MS-13, killing gang members, and then in turn was assassinated by other gang members. In intensely vivid scenes, Martínez and his anthropologist brother Juan tell the story of a violent life and death—and of the geopolitical forces that propelled a country into becoming one of the most violent on earth.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Hollywood Kid has been praised for its incisive look into the life of an MS-13 hitman intertwined with a broader exploration of El Salvador's gang culture and its ties to U.S. policies. The Martínez brothers combine investigative journalism with literary storytelling, shedding light on individual experiences amidst systemic violence. Reviewers have highlighted the book's gripping narrative, in-depth reporting, and its importance as a piece of investigative literature.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781786634931

Publisher: Verso Books

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 01 October 2019

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Verso Books

Contributors:

Translated by John Washington
Translated by Daniela Maria Ugaz

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 25.0mm

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 210.0mm

Weight: 410g

Pages: 320

Collections

Biography & Memoir Crime & Thriller Education & Reference Fiction Juan Martinez True Crime Óscar Martínez

About the Author

Óscar Martínez writes for ElFaro.net, the first online newspaper in Latin America. El Faro was awarded in 2016 the Gabriel García Márquez Prize for Excellence in Journalism. He is the author of The Beast and A History of Violence. Juan José Martínez is a sociocultural anthropologist from Universidad Nacional de El Salvador. He has studied violence and gangs since 2008. He has been a lecturer at Universidad Mónica Herrera and has worked as a consultant for several institutions such as Action on Armed Violence, UNICEF, Soleterre and American University.

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