I've always been fascinated with the dark side of life; how somebody from an affluent family can tumble into the abyss of drugs and alcohol or how somebody from the worst possible upbringing can rise above it all and find success. But most of the time, in real life, it's a little of both, somebody from an all too common place in society claws their way up and then...bam!...there is a catalyst, spins a person around, and the descent into darkness begins. This is life and this is, much to my pleasure, the joy and truth of reading Lost Angeles. David Louden brings to life a cast of colorful, deeply flawed, characters and puts them in one place as he unfolds a tale of love, lust, loss, strength, sorrow, friendship, joy and, most importantly, hope, all displayed through an alcohol saturated, drug hazed lens. I loved this book for its honesty and its humor, but also for its glimpses into the potential darkness that looms within all of us. I especially loved it, however, for its humanity. Five stars? Absolutely
