Lost Lustre: A New York Memoir

In his first book, Karlen, a former journalist now working in broadcast media, recounts tales of his youth growing up during the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s in New York City’s Lower East Side and Greenwich Village. His memories are a window into a darker, grittier version of the city and are especially intriguing when he juxtaposes them with the current descriptions of Manhattan. While the memoir follows a chronological pattern, the chapters are only loosely tied together, giving the book the feel of a collection of essays rather than a straight life story. Some sections, like the author’s memories of living in the rough neighborhood known as Alphabet City, are vibrant, while others, such as Karlen’s descriptions of his attempts to get in touch with his first love, are painfully sentimental. The most dynamic writing centers on the story of Tim Jordan, the author’s best friend, whose bright musical career leading the band Lustre was snuffed out by alcoholism. It is here that Karlen finds the true narrative thread. (Oct.)