Left of the Loop Author:Tim Brown Set in the mid 1980s, Left of the Loop chronicles the misadventures of two roommates living in a decrepit loft building just west of Chicago’s famed Loop. Narrating the story is Spungkdt, a poet who uses the raw material of the surrounding meatpacking district to give his writing verve. His roommate Stark is drummer for a hapless rock and roll b... more »and pursuing ever-elusive success. Contemporary pioneers, they confront the ugly sights, rude sounds and foul smells of the urban frontier. With dark humor and biting wit, author Tim W. Brown smashes the popular myth that the 1980s were all about BMWs, cocaine and junk bonds for most young people, and he captures the essence of an historic neighborhood that has long since lost its soul to gentrification.« less