Beneath the Neon: Life & Death in the Tunnels of Las Vegas by Matthew O’Brien
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I was a little disappointed with this book. I have read some of the author’s other material on Las Vegas including CityLife articles and his Blue Angel collection. I was expecting a more philosophical analysis of the storm drains of Las Vegas, but what I got was a pretty straight forward account of what one will find if they walk into the Las Vegas sewer. Not much surprised me; it was dirty, wet, full of creepy crawlers, and housing the occasional drug addict. I think the author can find more compelling stories above ground. Although I didn’t feel much different after reading this book, I encourage the author to keep writing. He has a good journalistic sense, and a willingness to find alternative stories. He tells the stories of the “losers” of America, which need to be heard too.
If you are unfamiliar which the state of the homeless in a major American city, then this book will open your eyes to a different way of life. Being Canadian, and only spending my winters in Las Vegas, I was surprised to learn how many of the American homeless are Vietnam War veterans. This was sad for me to learn.
I also get the sense the author has a collectivist political ideology. At times, he hints at his desire to “clean up” the drains and move the homeless into shelters, and that this should be the job of government. It would be fun for readers if the Author would explore a different end the social spectrum with his next work, maybe he could examine the life of Vegas plastic surgeons?
