innae's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting little tale of a man wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. I felt I knew how the tale would end, in fact how it had to end...the surprise came in the how. It took me a bit to get into the story, but once I did, I felt for our poor hero, Charlie...so many good things in his life, destroyed by so few things. Basically a good guy, who got led in the wrong direction.
bradbury1971's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
buttontapper's review
3.0
I was digging this book... right up until the ending. A really uneven read, as it seemed to build towards an ending that never came. Maybe I should watch the movie instead?
efbeckett's review against another edition
4.0
Sleazier than I like, but a fine, quick noir thriller than can be polished off in under 3 hours. Normally I try not to know who played what character in the film version before reading a book but I'm actually kind of glad I did in this one because as a result one turn of events took me completely by surprise.
papernapkin's review against another edition
2.0
The writing in this book was pretty good, except for the ironic "surprise" twist at the end, which if you've ever read a Greek tragedy, you saw it coming from a mile away. The story itself was a little too sordid for my Victorian sensibilities.
civion's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
great story, fast paced,
Spoiler
terrible endingthecrazybookhoarder's review against another edition
1.0
Corrupt attorney living a life of crime, in a world of booze, strip clubs, and questionable “friends.”
For me the book was crass and shallow. You learn barely anything about the characters- and in a story with very few characters with redeeming qualities- everyone is pulling one over on everyone else- little backstory gives you little to care about who comes out on top.
The ending I liked- I got a sense of redemption from spending the day reading this book. I probably would have DNF’d if it wasn’t a bookclub selection.
However- I know this is a movie with John Cusack, one of my faves, and I can see this being darkly humorous in a Grosse Pointe Blank kind of way.
For me the book was crass and shallow. You learn barely anything about the characters- and in a story with very few characters with redeeming qualities- everyone is pulling one over on everyone else- little backstory gives you little to care about who comes out on top.
The ending I liked- I got a sense of redemption from spending the day reading this book. I probably would have DNF’d if it wasn’t a bookclub selection.
However- I know this is a movie with John Cusack, one of my faves, and I can see this being darkly humorous in a Grosse Pointe Blank kind of way.
nkmeyers's review against another edition
1.0
Just because I didn't like it doesn't mean you shouldn't read it! But, only if you like crime novels where weak, bad people do bad stuff to each other and the lives of quiet desparation keep chugging on all around and it's set at christmas go for it. Better is: [book:already dead] by [denis johnson].
ultrabookgeek's review
3.0
So, I had no idea what I was getting into when I started this book. It was my first experience in the Noir genre and I enjoyed it. The story was told in a spare and fast paced sequence. Interesting characters come and go, personalities revealed but still cloaked in their motives and interests. It was an exciting book with an unexpected ending. I am glad I read it, but I don't think I would re-read this one.
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