Must read, despite the title: The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace

The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace, Jeff Hobbs

Fast Facts

• My Newark reading streak continues in a fast-forward from World War II-era, polio stricken Philip Roth to the gang and drug-infested, struggling, impoverished Newark of the 1980's, 90's and 2000's, scene of post-race riot political corruption
• 432 pages
• Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant
• One of the most memorable, haunting, educational, and impressive books I've read in ages
• The cover is a spoiler - a young man who left Newark for the Ivy League, but died too soon - but the story of community and self-realization and exploration is much greater and more humanizing than the pithy title would suggest
• The rare book you'll read with the power to change your perception of the world
• Please overlook the irritating title (and sometimes irritating author) and buy two copies immediately - one for yourself, and one for someone compassionate and intelligent that you respect

The Joy of Getting to Know Rob Peace

I can't emphasize enough how much I wish the title and marketing of this book were different.  The story is about a man growing up in impossible circumstances, achieving remarkable feats, and ultimately being felled by his own talents and environment and deep-rooted connections.  Bringing the ending to the forefront does the author's work in telling this complex story a disservice.

Yes, Rob Peace smoked and sold and eventually manufactured his own marijuana product as a means of relaxation and dissociation and in order to seek financial stability mobility for himself and his loved ones.  Yes, he died as a result of his decision to do these things, and also because of where he was born and raised and lived.  But these facts do not tell the whole story.

This man had been a boy who worked tremendously hard as he attended schools that his mother could only afford with backbreaking work in food services at hospitals.  He ate ketchup packets for sustenance, and took care of his ailing grandmother, and excelled at water polo.  He was a genius and had natural curiosity about the world and all the people he came across, people from varied backgrounds who became his close friends.  He scored incredibly high on tests and majored in molecular biophysics and biochemistry at Yale, and joined one of its prestigious secret societies.  He essentially served as his father's appellate legal counsel following a double murder trial.  He was a world traveler, a ladies' man, a science teacher, a baggage handler at Newark International Airport, and a devoted friend and family member.  Who wouldn't want to know this man?

Jeff Hobbs, Nerdy Yale Roommate

I couldn't help but feel jealous of the author for his relationship with Rob, and also a bit confused by their friendship.  You have to watch this video of Jeff Hobbs speaking at Politics and Prose.  He just looks like someone who doesn't get much sunlight, whereas Rob walked with ease through so many worlds.

How were these two such close friends?  A testament to Rob's ability to befriend anyone, from any background, surely, and also Hobbs' open-mindedness.  Hobbs' regret for being so removed from the last several years of his friend's life, essentially from Yale graduation until his death, is palpable - they seem to have only seen one another a couple of times in 8 years, after spending countless hours in dorm rooms.

But as sheltered and self-consumed as Hobbs comes across in the book, he also has extraordinary self-awareness.  He knows that he is telling Rob's story from a privileged vantage point, and works doubly hard to avoid stereotypes and delve into the truth of Rob's background, surroundings, and motivations.  The story is meticulously researched, and it is clear that Hobbs' hard work has paid off in a remarkable end product.

So Powerful It Won't Wear Off

It has taken me weeks to sit down and write about this book.  It isn't just the sprint to squeeze the most out of dwindling summer that has kept me from writing this post - I've been waiting to finish processing Rob Peace, waiting for some of the potency and sting of this story to subside.  I can safely say that the aftertaste of this book just isn't going away any time soon.

A short life and a tragic ending don't define a person, and it's clear that Rob Peace was a fascinating, warm, and complicated person who was raised and lived in a difficult place.  As much as any reader knows about him after finishing the book, there is a strong sense that there is so much more to Rob, and so much more you wish you could know.  His death was a terrible loss for society, and the ability to read his story a regrettable gain.