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bryce_is_a_librarian's review against another edition
4.0
Seen a lot of blurbs comparing this to Scorsese, but the Demme quote that opens it suggests that Boyle knows himself better. There's a real appreciation for the stuff and junk of people's lives that's really winning and endearing. He's an author I'll stick with in the future.
max_outlier's review against another edition
3.0
Somewhat interesting, a story about long term friends and their crime ridden families as they escape the bindings of the past. While well written, the use of far too much back story ruins the pace and bogs it down to no end. Characters are reasonably unique especially Wolfstein due to her early days in the porn business. What appears as a momentum builder midway through, falls flat when three women and a teen are being chased by a mob character. It's neither mystery or drama but somewhere in between though I felt it was mediocre.
victoriawighman's review against another edition
I found the characters to be quite unrealistic and inconsistent. I tried to enjoy the book, for the plot sounded interesting and some of the lines i read were really beautiful (I did highlight some stuff in the book) but I found the characters a bit underdeveloped. Maybe it gets better further into the book, but a 100 pages in I didn't feel very hopeful anymore, and I noticed having to push myself to keep reading.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Sexual assault
ichirofakename's review
2.0
The hardest of boils. NYC mob tale, but mostly concerning the women, who suffer but don't inflict (much) grief. A little farcical, a lot violent. Strong characters, but I still don't know why I read it.
hadu's review
4.0
Cinematic and really funny in parts. I couldn't help but read Richie in Paulie Gaultieri's (Soprano's) voice.
tommooney's review
3.0
Boyle is a decent noir writer but I much prefer his dark, moody stuff to this slightly more caper-ish affair.
Three women - the widow of a mob boss, an ex-porn star and a damaged teenager - get mixed up in murders, stolen cash and car chases. It's got a kind of Elmore Leonard feel to it but isn't ever in the same class. The humour isn't there and while the dialogue is good, it isn't Elmore.
Not a bad read but just not quite hitting the high notes
Three women - the widow of a mob boss, an ex-porn star and a damaged teenager - get mixed up in murders, stolen cash and car chases. It's got a kind of Elmore Leonard feel to it but isn't ever in the same class. The humour isn't there and while the dialogue is good, it isn't Elmore.
Not a bad read but just not quite hitting the high notes
thebooktrail88's review
4.0
Visit the locations in the novel
If there’s not a genre of fiction called Brooklyn Noir then there should be as this is the title read. There’s not many books you can spend time with lovable rogues and funny gangsters if you can ever call a mobster lovable.
This is pure comedy gold as well as a brilliantly addictive insight into the various New York ’hoods’ – see I’m picking up the lingo already. The characters jump from the page kicking and screaming and even shooting. Each one is unique, their own stories and problems making up a rich tapestry of both mobster and regular traits.
I really enjoyed spending time with these characters as that’s exactly what they are – characters who could be in a movie given they’re so vivid and vibrant.
The setting comes alive – the sights, sounds, smells and neighbourhood eccentricities for which New York is so well known fight each other in a swirl of excitement.
Take time out and spend time in Brooklyn and the Bronx. A mobster of a plot, unforgettable characters and a whirlwind visit to some of the most vibrant New York neighbourhoods