BOOK REVIEW Title: Pimp Author: Iceberg Slim Publisher: Holloway House Price: $6.99 Pages: 317
By Kenny Chang
Daily Bruin Contributor
“Pimp: The Story of My Life” is a semi-autobiographical novel that chronicles the life of a street pimp from the 1930s to post-World War II.
“Pimp” is author Iceberg Slim’s first novel, after serving three stints in prison. Recounting his life experiences from birth until the writing of the novel, Iceberg takes readers into the underbelly of urban grime. This book is not for the blissfully ignorant.
“Pimp” reveals to the world the inner-workings of a pimp’s mind. From his first sexual experiences to the evolution of his moniker, the novel provides a dismal perspective on the glamorized lifestyle of a hustler.
Written entirely in the “street language” of the times, the book comes with a glossary detailing all the meanings of various words. Iceberg tells it as it is, and does not leave out any of the filthy details.
“Pimp” is written straight, poured out of a reformed man’s bitter heart. Every aspect of each scene is told thoroughly. The sights and the smells are all made apparent and the reader can almost sense the thick stench of its greasy plot.
The novel is full of grief – the grief of losing two fathers, of watching Iceberg’s mother swindle these men, the grief of whores who are displayed as they are “turned out” on the street. Even reformed, “squared up” prostitutes can be tempted from righteousness back to whoring out their bodies.
It is apparent that Iceberg Slim regrets his past. He remarks that he had wasted “half a lifetime in a worthless, dangerous profession.” Yet, he does not forget to indicate his early eagerness when beginning “the game.”
The story starts off with him as a young bright-eyed child, full of love and kindness, and shows the evolution of a pimp who’s as emotionless as an “iceberg.” The novel, like many true stories, has few sentimental moments. Rather, it contains many scenes of Iceberg violently attacking one of his prostitutes.
The novel tells the story of a Midwest street pimp – blood, sex and drugs are common, and the reader is shown how dismal they can be. Contrary to what some may think, this is not a manual on how to become a pimp. It is a true story on the problematic issues of pimping. The only lesson it teaches is the regret of a “successful” pimp.
Iceberg maneuvered the streets and came out alive. He learned from everyone around him and adapted best to what was necessary at that time. In prison, he did what he needed to stay sane. He enriched his mind with literature, and managed to avoid the grasp of insanity. Upon his third arrest, he came out of prison a reformed man to write “Pimp.”
“Pimp” is filled with vibrant characters so real that this documentation must be an understatement.
The plot takes the course of a human life, and though not incredibly dramatic in terms of tragedies and literature, it is quite a tale, considering it was real.
Interlaced with profanities and the degradation of women, “Pimp” may never be an Oprah Winfrey “Book of the Month.” However, it should be taken into account that this is a “book of life.” Iceberg Slim, whose real name is Robert Beck, honestly pours out his story, hoping to educate the world.
“Pimp: The Story of My Life” is a daunting book on the reality of the world we live in. Given that it is autobiographical, it leaves the reader with a sense of unease, yet leaves the possibility of hope. If a former drug-abusing pimp who has been to prison three times survived to make it, there is hope for everyone else just yet.