Harley Loco Audiobook By Rayya Elias cover art

Harley Loco

A Memoir of Hard Living, Hair, and Post-Punk from the Middle East to the Lower East Side

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Harley Loco

By: Rayya Elias
Narrated by: Christina Delaine
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When she was 7, Rayya Elias and her family fled the political conflict in their native Syria, settling in Detroit. Bullied in school and caught between the world of her traditional family and her tough American classmates, she rebelled early.

Elias moved to New York City to become a musician and kept herself afloat with an uncommon talent for cutting hair. At the height of the punk movement, life on the Lower East Side was full of adventure, creative inspiration, and temptation. Eventually, Elias's passionate affairs with lovers of both sexes went awry, her (more than) occasional drug use turned to addiction, and she found herself living on the streets - between her visits to jail.

This debut memoir charts four decades of a life lived in the moment, a path from harrowing loss and darkness to a place of peace and redemption. Elias's wit and lack of self-pity in the face of her extreme highs and lows make Harley Loco a powerful listen that's sure to appeal to fans of Patti Smith, Augusten Burroughs, and Eleanor Henderson.

Contains mature themes.

©2013 Rayya Elias (P)2020 Tantor Biographies & Memoirs Music Women Memoir Emotionally Gripping
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I read this after Elizabeth Gilbert’s book- curious about Reya - Good story- gritty and real

Really fun ride-

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I listened to this after hearing a reading from it at a recovery meeting. The person who read had the most beautiful accent and speaking voice so my expectations were high. I liked the book it felt real. Drugs are fucked up and addiction is a beast.

Not crazy about the voice actor

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Absolutely loved this book. It was hard for me to put it down. Many can and should relate to this story as it can change you and the way you look at other and society. Five stars without hesitation.

Beautiful, powerful autobiography

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I have never read about the journey to & from addiction before. It’s written to where you feel excited for most of the book.

What an amazing woman.

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Gave a lot of insight into why addicts use. I had a sibling who was an addict and understand him better after reading this book.

Good read

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I wish I could return this. She’s a perpetual victim with zero redemption arc. It’s not worth your time

So mid

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I bought this to see why Elizabeth Gilbert was so amazed by this person. I don’t see it. This story is just about scoring drugs and wiping out. She claims jail time when all that happened is that she was held at Rikers for a few weeks awaiting trial and was released to drug program. Mooched off welfare while working for cash on the side. The most enlightening thing about this book is that having a talent for hair cutting and styling works to save your ass in many situations. Always have a job or opportunity as everyone needs a good cut.

The narrotor is amazing and kept this thing afloat.

Self-involved

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Gritty and unrelenting. Leaves the reader disturbed, unsettled, and without closure. Told from the perspective of a manipulative narcissist and not someone who learns lessons or gains wisdom. Disappointing!

Not a redemption story.

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