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A review by lovelymisanthrope
November Road by Lou Berney
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I purchased this at a library book sale.
"November Road" follows a few different characters as they are running from their own problems following the assassination of JFK. Charlotte has finally made the decision to leave her husband and her unhappy marriage, so she packs up her two young girls and hits the road. Frank was a street lieutenant for New Orleans mob boss, Carlos Marcello. But, following the assassination of the president, everyone connected to Marcello seems to be turning up dead, and Frank is scared that he is next. When Frank sees the beautiful Charlotte in need of some help, he thinks he can not only be chivalrous, but that this family will provide the perfect cover as he continues to run.
When I picked this book up, I was expecting more of a historical fiction connected to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Although this story uses that as a catalyst for some of the character's actions, I did not feel like it was really connected to the story. The assassination felt like something that happened to occur, but it did not play a crucial role in anything. I understand the implications it had for one of the characters in particular, but for the majority of the book and the characters it did not feel important.
I think I would have enjoyed this book more if the story just followed Frank and Charlotte on their road trip west. It could have still taken place at a similar period of time, but the political undertones did nothing to connect me to the story and keep me interested.
I would recommend this book to someone who enjoys historical fiction AND a crime story.
"November Road" follows a few different characters as they are running from their own problems following the assassination of JFK. Charlotte has finally made the decision to leave her husband and her unhappy marriage, so she packs up her two young girls and hits the road. Frank was a street lieutenant for New Orleans mob boss, Carlos Marcello. But, following the assassination of the president, everyone connected to Marcello seems to be turning up dead, and Frank is scared that he is next. When Frank sees the beautiful Charlotte in need of some help, he thinks he can not only be chivalrous, but that this family will provide the perfect cover as he continues to run.
When I picked this book up, I was expecting more of a historical fiction connected to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Although this story uses that as a catalyst for some of the character's actions, I did not feel like it was really connected to the story. The assassination felt like something that happened to occur, but it did not play a crucial role in anything. I understand the implications it had for one of the characters in particular, but for the majority of the book and the characters it did not feel important.
I think I would have enjoyed this book more if the story just followed Frank and Charlotte on their road trip west. It could have still taken place at a similar period of time, but the political undertones did nothing to connect me to the story and keep me interested.
I would recommend this book to someone who enjoys historical fiction AND a crime story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Stalking, and Murder