emsemsems's review
3.0
'You’re born and forty years later you hobble out a bar, startled by your own aches. Nobody knows you. You steer down lightless highways, and you invent a destination because movement is key. So you head toward the last thing you have left to lose, with no real idea what you’re going to do with it.'
3.5 . Quick and easy read. But I feel like this would've been so much more glorious as a play/TV series (mini-series) . Picked this one up because I miss True Detective Season 1 (but simply wasn't ready to re-watch it yet). Didn't think that the ending was satisfying enough. Spectacular characterisation though . RTC .
'You’re here because it’s somewhere. Dogs pant in the streets. Beer won’t stay cold. The last new song you liked came out a long, long time ago, and the radio never plays it anymore.'
rachitsingh's review
5.0
To be honest, I had no clue about the plot or anything related, but was hopeful for an interesting story given the fact that it is written by the masterful writer of True Detective. And I was not disappointed at all; it was thoroughly engaging and carefully constructed. I realised along the way that making assumptions of what could happen in the story was pointless because the story was wreathed in a way as complicated as the lives of our characters. Roy Cady, the protagonist and narrator is a character so deftly created by Pizzolatto that you cannot help but empathise with him and get hooked, wanting to hear his story until the end...and beyond.
In the beginning I thought it would be a mysterious story similar to TD, but it was not like that at all, however, mysterious all the same. Though there are certainly some themes that are relatable one of them being the ending, which marks a closure similar to the last scene between Rust and Marty in Season 1. There is a brilliant usage of literary tropes here and especially the chapter endings almost always left me with an *ahhh, wow* feeling or sometimes just *gasp* and recapitulate what I had just read.
In the beginning I thought it would be a mysterious story similar to TD, but it was not like that at all, however, mysterious all the same. Though there are certainly some themes that are relatable one of them being the ending, which marks a closure similar to the last scene between Rust and Marty in Season 1. There is a brilliant usage of literary tropes here and especially the chapter endings almost always left me with an *ahhh, wow* feeling or sometimes just *gasp* and recapitulate what I had just read.
some_okie_dude27's review against another edition
Like many others, I was introduced to Nic Pizzolatto through his work on the first season of True Detective, which I still hold to be one of the finest seasons of television ever aired on the small screen. If ever there were such a thing as a novel on television, True Detective's first season would be it...well without being The Wire of course. Alongside Charlie Kaufman, I would say that Nic Pizzolatto is the most literary screenwriter working today.
Pizzolatto's prose is tight and controlled. Beautiful without being overtly purple or verbose and dripping with the white trash southern gothic atmosphere that has permeated some of his other work. The prose also has the punch that the best of noir has, and Pizzolatto gives the language a lush touch, even if its light in its poeticism. Pizzolatto proves to be as gifted in prose as he is for the screen.
Unlike True Detective, Galveston proves to be a much more intimate tale. My friend Jason told me when recommending this book that this felt like a blueprint for what Pizzolatto would eventually cover in True Detective (one of the main characters shares a habit with Rust on True Detective, for instance.) Sadly, there aren't any drunk police officers ranting about how time is a flat circle or any cosmic horror elements in this novel. But it proves to be peak noir at its best: melancholic, dark, and brooding.
But with that, there also comes a lot of emotion in this novel, particularly with the leads Roy Cady and the prostitute Rocky. Galveston seems much more interested in what binds people together and what connects us with each other, even when it comes to people who are as deeply flawed as they are. Pizzolatto succeeds at the art of characters self-destructing and how their flaws end up alienating the people who they care about. Cady is yet another beer guzzling philosopher who lives on the edge, but proves to be full of surprising insights and thoughts about regret, the past, and death.
Another theme of the novel that I picked up is the art of storytelling itself. Much like Rust in True Detective, words prove to be Roy's defense mechanism against the world around him and prevent him from confronting his feelings about his life and the line of work that he has found himself in. But by the end of the story, it's storytelling that manages to give Roy the much needed catharsis and redemption that he so craves, and Pizzolatto explores this theme with subtlety and tact.
The set up of the story is familiar, with the hitman with a heart finding redemption by forming a relationship with a scrappy hooker with a heart of gold, but Pizzolatto creates a twist on the story that makes it a much more heartbreaking and poignant ending than I initially suspected it would be, and it's an ending that proves to be touching in its own way. It was ultimately the ending that made the book excellent in my eyes, and ultimately what caused me to really enjoy it by the end.
Pizzolatto's heart seems to be with screenwriting at the moment, though I have seen him say that he isn't against writing another novel (he can't afford it at this time, he says.) I know that I, for one, eagerly await for whenever he decides to add another novel to his oeuvre.
daisykajsa's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
dfwsusie's review against another edition
5.0
I did not expect to give this book more than 3 stars after it was recommended to me by Goodreads. I figured it would be more suited to a easy read on the treadmill kind of book. Thankfully, that is not remotely the case.
I certainly see the comparisons to Cormac McCarthy, right in the first section. I'm often drawn to novels with inherently flawed characters. There is no doubt that almost every character you meet in this book is inherently flawed, but many are also redeemable. Many authors make the mistake of trying to make their characters heroic and shoving it down the reader's throat. People aren't really like that. Life isn't really like that. Pizzolatto does a remarkable job of letting his characters in both "Galveston" and True Detective be inherently human and it's believable. His writing is rather sparse, but there are some remarkable truths contained there.
Side thought about location: I live in Texas and have spent a fair amount of time in Louisiana (and around a Louisianan or fifty). Unlike the last book I read, "The Weight of Blood" by Laura McHugh, it is clear the author understands this part of the deep south in a way many would not. After completing "The Weight of Blood" I wondered whether the author had actually ever been to that part of the Ozarks or just read the travel guide. It was so one note. While I find both the depiction of Louisiana and East Texas in True Detective and Galveston rather terrifying, it feels real.
Personal Notes: I bought this it before watching True Detective and had intended on listening to it on Audible and reading. Instead, I started reading the book last evening and finished it around 4am. Apparently I didn't need to purchase the audiobook also, since I read it straight through. I'm not one who much likes to write reviews on here because it's impossible to not spoil what I found that I loved in most novels. I guess I'll leave the deeper discussion to the next person I know that reads it. We can have a fine chat over some Lone Star Beers.
I certainly see the comparisons to Cormac McCarthy, right in the first section. I'm often drawn to novels with inherently flawed characters. There is no doubt that almost every character you meet in this book is inherently flawed, but many are also redeemable. Many authors make the mistake of trying to make their characters heroic and shoving it down the reader's throat. People aren't really like that. Life isn't really like that. Pizzolatto does a remarkable job of letting his characters in both "Galveston" and True Detective be inherently human and it's believable. His writing is rather sparse, but there are some remarkable truths contained there.
Side thought about location: I live in Texas and have spent a fair amount of time in Louisiana (and around a Louisianan or fifty). Unlike the last book I read, "The Weight of Blood" by Laura McHugh, it is clear the author understands this part of the deep south in a way many would not. After completing "The Weight of Blood" I wondered whether the author had actually ever been to that part of the Ozarks or just read the travel guide. It was so one note. While I find both the depiction of Louisiana and East Texas in True Detective and Galveston rather terrifying, it feels real.
Personal Notes: I bought this it before watching True Detective and had intended on listening to it on Audible and reading. Instead, I started reading the book last evening and finished it around 4am. Apparently I didn't need to purchase the audiobook also, since I read it straight through. I'm not one who much likes to write reviews on here because it's impossible to not spoil what I found that I loved in most novels. I guess I'll leave the deeper discussion to the next person I know that reads it. We can have a fine chat over some Lone Star Beers.
ben_miller's review against another edition
4.0
So you created a great TV show? Okay, I'll read your book. Sure, I'll buy it and I'll take it with me to the low country of South Carolina and I'll sit on the screened-in porch and read it with the dogs laying all around my feet. Sure. Why not?
And hey, it's pretty good! The roots of True Detective are plain to see here: cracker country, biker bars, prostitutes, drugs, and so on. It's not nearly as compelling in any aspect, but you can see how Pizzolatto is careful with, and good at, writing these types of characters. He pays attention to their little details, mannerisms, and ways of speech, and as a result they feel real. He doesn't let Roy Cady be the generic Hard-Boiled Criminal Anti-Hero, just as he never let Cohle and Hart be Grizzled Cops #s 1 and 2.
He also tries a multiple timeline structure here, as he did later and more successfully in True Detective. It's just the two time periods in Galveston, and the tension created by them is not exactly palpable. But it was obviously good practice, since he used that technique to brilliant effect on TV.
And maybe TV is where Pizzolatto's talents shine best. Reading this book, you can see how he might be able to create an atmosphere that would coax out some really great performances.
In summary, earth-shattering? No. Worth your time, on a hot afternoon in the low country with the dogs' tails swishing against your legs and somebody in the house shelling shrimp and somebody else down on the beach flying a kite shaped like a P-51 Mustang? Absolutely.
And hey, it's pretty good! The roots of True Detective are plain to see here: cracker country, biker bars, prostitutes, drugs, and so on. It's not nearly as compelling in any aspect, but you can see how Pizzolatto is careful with, and good at, writing these types of characters. He pays attention to their little details, mannerisms, and ways of speech, and as a result they feel real. He doesn't let Roy Cady be the generic Hard-Boiled Criminal Anti-Hero, just as he never let Cohle and Hart be Grizzled Cops #s 1 and 2.
He also tries a multiple timeline structure here, as he did later and more successfully in True Detective. It's just the two time periods in Galveston, and the tension created by them is not exactly palpable. But it was obviously good practice, since he used that technique to brilliant effect on TV.
And maybe TV is where Pizzolatto's talents shine best. Reading this book, you can see how he might be able to create an atmosphere that would coax out some really great performances.
In summary, earth-shattering? No. Worth your time, on a hot afternoon in the low country with the dogs' tails swishing against your legs and somebody in the house shelling shrimp and somebody else down on the beach flying a kite shaped like a P-51 Mustang? Absolutely.
raven_morgan's review against another edition
5.0
eARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
First thing that needs to be said: I nearly gave up on this. At around 10% in (according to my Kindle), I was not engaged, and quite frankly, I kind of hated Roy Cady.
I decided that I'd give it until I was 20% through, and then abandon if I wasn't engaged.
Yeah, I pretty much read the remaining 90% in a day and a half.
I still don't really like Roy Cady - he has some real issues with women and a damn bleak view of the world. I don't think you need to like Dacy one bit to be able to sit back and realise what a glorious book this is.
Because holy hell, the language in this. I started highlighting passages that struck me, and kind of gave up after a while, because I'd end up highlighting every second sentence. This is the kind of book that makes me weep with jealousy, because I will never have the ability to convey so much voice, and give so much characterisation through that voice.
Bleak, and bone-grindingly depressing at times, but so, so worth the read.
First thing that needs to be said: I nearly gave up on this. At around 10% in (according to my Kindle), I was not engaged, and quite frankly, I kind of hated Roy Cady.
I decided that I'd give it until I was 20% through, and then abandon if I wasn't engaged.
Yeah, I pretty much read the remaining 90% in a day and a half.
I still don't really like Roy Cady - he has some real issues with women and a damn bleak view of the world. I don't think you need to like Dacy one bit to be able to sit back and realise what a glorious book this is.
Because holy hell, the language in this. I started highlighting passages that struck me, and kind of gave up after a while, because I'd end up highlighting every second sentence. This is the kind of book that makes me weep with jealousy, because I will never have the ability to convey so much voice, and give so much characterisation through that voice.
Bleak, and bone-grindingly depressing at times, but so, so worth the read.
okenwillow's review against another edition
4.0
Pizzolatto, c'est le gars qui a écrit True detective, rien de moins. Ça donne le ton ! Roy Cady, petit malfrat qui vient de se découvrir un cancer se voit jouer les filles de l'air en compagnie d'une jeune prostitué. Point de fuite amoureuse ici, mais une course pour échapper à la vengeance de vilains pas beaux. Roy ne connaît pas la fille, mais étant encore aussi vivante que lui, il décide de faire perdurer cet état, coûte que coûte . Vingt ans plus tard, Roy a pris un coup de vieux, il vit avec sa chienne, bricole ici et là jusqu'à ce que le passé le rattrape. Étrange histoire que voilà, avec ses personnages sombres et douloureux, qui vont faire un bout de route ensemble jusqu'au dénouement fracassant. Un style direct et efficace, sans superflu, et un final à la hauteur de mes espérances.
jonathancrites's review against another edition
4.0
Being a Houstonian and a regular to Galveston, I loved the feel of the island Pizzolatto’s prose delivered. Tragic, beautiful in its own way, and emotionally powerful in the end. Highly recommended.