Reviews

Gorki Park by Martin Cruz Smith

smmrmmrmmr's review against another edition

3.0

 I could not tell you one thing that happened in this book other than a lot of antisemitism, racism, and the main character being the most bi most shippable person I've ever met 

ericch's review against another edition

1.0

This one has been on my list of books to read for many years. After finally finishing it, I'm surprised at the high rating it has on Amazon. I found the story extremely slow and hard to follow.

I enjoyed the descriptions of Russia as the story traipsed all over the country. But that wasn't enough to hold my interest. The plot wandered very far from the initial murders in Gorky Park and at times I found the connections tenuous.

There were sections of the book which I really enjoyed, but they were too few and too far between.

The book is highly rated on most sites, so it was probably just not for me.

rocketiza's review against another edition

4.0

Better than average detective novel with the interesting hook of being set in Russia in the early 80s.

ericbuscemi's review against another edition

3.0

While I didn't always love the experience of reading this novel, I am glad to have read it, if only for the fictional glimpse of Soviet Russia during the Cold War. I didn't enjoy how drawn out the book became after such an intriguing start. But then, I was only expecting a police procedural set in Russia. This novel was much, much more -- a cat and mouse game, a story of fugitives and bandits, a view of Soviet "justice," a story of torture, a social commentary on America by a Russian narrator, a political thriller, and a love story. So while certain parts of it dragged, I can't really fault it for all its ambition. Also, this book taught me a colloquial Russian phrase that seems to be appropriate in almost any situation, "fuck your mother." So hooray for this book expanding my worldliness, and fuck your mother.

gbdill's review against another edition

3.0

Honestly, the story was great, but the literary style of Martin Cruz Smith is difficult. I just found out a movie was made from this novel. I decided to watch the movie instead (Gasp!).

petealdin's review against another edition

5.0

Have read it 3 times. Best crime thriller I've ever read.

petersimpson's review against another edition

I don’t really know what’s going on anymore, and I can’t spend another 300 pages with that feeling, especially when I’ve got so many other things to read. 
The mystery isn’t really central and I just don’t really get on with the writing style. 

berlinbibliophile's review against another edition

3.0

I really liked the writing style in this novel. And the plot I loved for three quarters of the book, before it became tangled and chaotic. I liked none of the characters in this book, and yet I liked reading about them.
What surprised me was the huge difference in technology to crime and spy thrillers today. Not the big things, like no cellphones, but the smaller issues. Like, what is a teleprinter office? The book was very atmospheric and full of those little details that made it up-to-date when it was written, but really illuminate the culture it was written in from today's standpoint. Fascinating.

beth_books_123's review against another edition

1.0

Third time was not lucky - 1*

I just.couldnt get into it.
I've tried it many times hoping I could get into it but I couldn't. Honestly I was bored to death. I give up.

birgervs's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25