“˜Pimp’ reveals the downfalls of living it up
By Daily Bruin Staff
May 31, 2001 9:00 p.m.
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.
