Cadillac Man, Rising Star

by Shannon Moriarty · 2009-03-23 14:20:00 UTC
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Cadillac Man has been homeless on the streets of New York for over 16 years. He earned his memorable street name because he was struck by three different Cadillacs on three separate occassions in the mid-90s. Today he retains his post a the unofficial neighborhood "block watcher," he is also Astoria's most famous homeless person. Indeed, his bio sounds more like an up-and-coming celebrity rather than that of a homeless man.

Several years ago, Cadillac Man's prose was published in Esquire magazine. This led to a documentary about his life by Hell's Kitchen Films. Now, he has a book out. Land of Lost Souls was released earlier this month by Bloomsbury. 

Here's a bit about the forthcoming book from Time Out Chicago:

His conversational, get-down-to-brass-tacks tone, as well as his fervent desire to share stories from his own life and the lives of others ("my people, my friends, my enemies"), drives Cadillac Man's narrative. Culled from a series of spiral-bound journals (and originally excerpted in Esquire), Lost Souls traces his journey from husband, father and manager of a Pepsi distribution warehouse in Queens to a homeless vet who, for the past 16 years, has wandered the boroughs, collecting and redeeming soda cans.

His is a difficult route punctuated by unexpected detours: One day he finds himself defending another homeless man who is being attacked; later he discovers this "man" is actually a woman-a 19-year-old runaway with whom he falls deeply in love. But tragically, the relationship must end, and how it does is one of the book's most poignant moments.

According to New York Magazine, Cadillac Man's life has changed since the book was written. Today, he only lives on the streets part-time, otherwise living with a girlfriend in another part of town. Like many chronically homeless people, he found the transition to life on the "inside" more difficult than he anticipated. 

The book's reviews are mixed, but all critics agree that this story, straight from the streets of NYC, is moving, entertaining, and sure to stay with you. 

Available now for your reading pleasure.

[Photo from New York Magazine]

Shannon Moriarty has worked in various homeless shelters and service organizations around the country. She is a graduate student studying housing and urban policy at Tufts University.
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