A review by charlesrop
The Ice Man: Confessions of a Mafia Contract Killer by Philip Carlo

5.0

I feel a little duped by this book, but in the best way possible. When I read it as a teenaged mongrel, I found Kuklinski to be a sympathetic character. An unrepentent murderer, yes, but also a victim of racial and class hatred which limited his prospects. An abuser, but also a victim of trauma and abuse which stunted his capacity for human warmth. He was hideous to me, but he was also vulnerable. Carlo put a lot of effort into his interviews for this book, and the result seems to be a novel-length insight into a tender friendship between two thoughtful and unashamed men. There's even something cathartic to Kuklinski's words: "if I had the choice, I think I would have liked to be someone different to what I am". Holy crap, who hasn't felt like that?

Anyway, I got older. Now I often wonder if this 'sensitive meathead' Tony Soprano act was all the psychopath's trick. On Carlo, and on us. Into thinking he might have a heart, or that he might not deserve to die. Like Ted Bundy on death row, blaming all his action on pornography. Trying to eschew the blame one last time. I think I fell for it. Worse, I think Carlo fell for it, too.

This book still amazes me despite the metatextual mind games. Perhaps even because of them; because the message, the world view, is so neatly delivered. Nothing seems to have been lost in transcription.

A powerful portrait, but probably not in the way the author intended.