llewellyn's review
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
hugh_gulland's review against another edition
3.0
'Walking down the road with a ratchet in your waist, Johnny you're too bad'...
rosseroo's review
3.0
Headley's debut is more interesting for its portrayal of London's Jamaican immigrant criminal subculture than its straightforward tale of the rise and fall of one hood. Basically if you've seen "Scarface," you'll know the story. Headley's authentic vision of the milieu, with vivid descriptions of the role of music and food in the immigrant community, is what makes it worth reading. The thick Jamaican patois gets a little hard to follow at times, but it's no harder than "Trainspotting," once you get used to it. Other than the descriptive element, the writing and plotting is extremely elementary.
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