kruton's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
cmcrockford's review against another edition
4.0
Jackson is the Jerry Sanchez of crime protagonists - hapless, almost lovable, and easy to shit on.
Himes is like a more poetic, less tragic Donald Goines, and maybe even more morbid and cynical. He's a stronger writer by default as an expatriate and son of a college professor too. So many nasty, near hilarious images: trunks filled with bodies and gold, men dressed as nuns in order to make a quick buck, acid-splashed crooks. The misogyny is the big sour note here and while it keeps a nice ambivalence about Imabelle's actual motives the writing there turned me off.
Himes is like a more poetic, less tragic Donald Goines, and maybe even more morbid and cynical. He's a stronger writer by default as an expatriate and son of a college professor too. So many nasty, near hilarious images: trunks filled with bodies and gold, men dressed as nuns in order to make a quick buck, acid-splashed crooks. The misogyny is the big sour note here and while it keeps a nice ambivalence about Imabelle's actual motives the writing there turned me off.
charleslambert's review against another edition
5.0
Sharp, witty, violent, wildly improbable and utterly believable, bloodstained slapstick with a social conscience. I loved it.
qdony's review against another edition
5.0
Un humor negrísimo, lleno de violencia y con un protagonista tan entrañable que parece salido de otro planeta. Harlem como una jungla.
burnscjasmine's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Would be better to read all in one go but I am slow
jwicking's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kerrdevine's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nobodyatall's review against another edition
4.0
outrageously good fun.
the only problem is that they use "mother-raping" as a regular swearword. I thought I was immune to all swearing, but this made me feel really uncomfortable every time it was used.
the only problem is that they use "mother-raping" as a regular swearword. I thought I was immune to all swearing, but this made me feel really uncomfortable every time it was used.