Our Take

Trebay brings the perspective of a seasoned cultural critic to his own wild youth, creating a memoir that functions both as personal testament and cultural history. His decades of experience writing for The New York Times and other prestigious publications show in his ability to contextualize his experiences within broader artistic and social movements. Readers who appreciated Just Kids by Patti Smith or The Colossus of New York by Colson Whitehead will be drawn to Trebay's lyrical yet unsentimental portrayal of a vanished New York. The book's strength lies in its vivid character portraits—from drag queens to fashion designers to fellow outcasts—all rendered with the eye of someone who understands that these seemingly marginal figures were actually cultural pioneers. Trebay's prose style is particularly noteworthy, combining the precision of journalism with the sweep of literary memoir. His exploration of family dysfunction and class privilege adds psychological depth to what could have been merely a catalog of colorful encounters. The author's honest examination of his own role as both observer and participant in these scenes prevents the memoir from becoming overly nostalgic or self-aggrandizing. While some readers may find his meandering narrative style occasionally indulgent, the cumulative effect is powerful and immersive. Perfect for readers interested in New York cultural history, LGBTQ+ history, and the intersection of art and counterculture. Do Something stands as both a remarkable personal story and an essential document of a transformative era in American culture.