Concrete Rainbow

By: Jason Quinn

Narrated by: Jason Quinn

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Hawaii was ground zero for the crystal meth epidemic in the United States. While tourists have mostly been shielded from witnessing the carnage, crystal meth has wreaked havoc on the people of Hawaii like few other places in the world. On the surface, the novel Concrete Rainbow is the coming-of-age story of a troubled boy caught up in the horrors of drugs and crime. But underneath, it is a meditative study of human behavior, the nuances of cultural identity, and the effects of trauma and abuse on children in a callous society.

Concrete Rainbow focuses on Byron, an angry bi-racial 15-year-old poet, and Kimo, a native Hawaiian felon who is part crime boss, part philosopher. As the two fight their way through the contrasting landscape of O`ahu during the crystal meth epidemic in the early '90s, they find that they share an unspeakable trauma. Through Byron's poetry, humor, violence, and gut-wrenching honesty, author Jason Quinn not only describes the dark parts of Hawaii that tourists rarely see, he describes the darkest parts within us all.

There was another phenomenon that was taking Hawaii by storm in the 1980s and 1990s: rap and hip hop. While troubled, Byron also is a deeply reflective and talented poet. Byron uses those gifts to try to make sense of the chaos around him and the monster within, resulting in insightful poetry and ultra hardcore head bangers.

©2022 Jason B. Quinn (P)2022 Jason B. Quinn

Critic reviews

“A phenomenal manuscript by Jason Quinn about life as lived in the drug-ridden west side of O’ahu. It is deep and it is breathtaking!" (Roger Jellineck, former editor-in-chief of New York Times Book Company)

"The pace of the novel and the trials of the central character are relentless. It is an action-packed tale that doesn’t let up until it’s well deserved ending." (Lee Cataluna, Honolulu-based journalist and award-winning playwright)

GET THIS AUDIOBOOK YOU WON'T REGRET IT

I purchased both the Audible and the book!! No one really likes to shed light on the dark and gritty stories of Hawaii. The subject matter touches on so many things involving crime, drug abuse, mental illness, and most importantly childhood traumas connected to this story.  I don't want to give away too much, so if you're on the fence, JUST DO IT!!!  ALSO, THE AUDIOBOOK IS AMAZING!!!  The audiobook sounds like a PERFORMANCE done by the author chapter by chapter which is crazy because all the characters come to life in his narration.  Another thing I LOVED about the audiobook is there are DIMENSIONAL PIECES OF POETRY, RAP, AND MUSIC to put you and your ears in an ambient, ethereal, and visceral space while listening to the different pieces. 

Stunning

Readings and performances bring the characters to life. Provocative and captivating. The audio book is a visceral experience.

Exceptional

This book is truly special. It is more like an experience than just a book. From start to finish it's a journey that pulls the listener in and does not let go. The reader/writer is a gifted voice that commits to every character he reads. For most people, the story will be shocking. A glimpse into American culture that is not talked about nearly enough, the culture of growing up in Hawaii. It's a painful reminder that for every wealthy tourist is an untold story of poverty and struggle. This book is so real, so raw, so gripping and so beautifully told, I loved it. So good, you'll need to listen to some chapters twice. BUY THIS BOOK.

Awesome

Very good story line I’m from makakilo and was having my children during the late 80’s to 90’s this was an easy read

Incredible and gripping

This story was interesting, teeth clenching, tear jerking, funny, and devestating, all at the same time. The characters are visceral, and the interwoven music drives the narrative without telling you how to feel. Highly reccommend.