Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
Since I have seen the first season of Breaking Bad, this book felt unnecessary. Also, I disliked the attention-getting gimmick of starting the book with "F--- you." (I am much like my father, who actively roots against teams with coaches who throw chairs and "act a fool", and who still has not forgiven the state of Indiana for Bobby Knight.)
I am awarding one bonus star for a funny fantasy sequence in which a character imagines herself on various talk shows, which culminates in her calling Dr. Phil an unkind name.
I am awarding one bonus star for a funny fantasy sequence in which a character imagines herself on various talk shows, which culminates in her calling Dr. Phil an unkind name.
It's hard to write a review for this book. It's a quick read, you'll finish it in a day. Part of that is because it's well written and slices through your internal reading monologue quite easily and the other part of it is because you'll want to be done with it quickly. The characters aren't the best, the concept of a sort of environmental warrior come rich drug dealer is a bit awkward. As is the love triangle without any love.
In many ways it's a buddy cop show except the cops are drug dealers. The major kingpin in Mexico is a more interesting but still lacks any real depth. I'm not in the least bit surprised they decided to make a film out of it. I won't watch the film though because there's just no way they'll be able to add the depth that this narrative so sorely needs. I bet there are some people out there who really like this book because the concept of Point Break cool dude drug dealers is their wettest fantasy but it's just not that great. It's more Weeds or High Profits than Breaking Bad or The Wire.
In many ways it's a buddy cop show except the cops are drug dealers. The major kingpin in Mexico is a more interesting but still lacks any real depth. I'm not in the least bit surprised they decided to make a film out of it. I won't watch the film though because there's just no way they'll be able to add the depth that this narrative so sorely needs. I bet there are some people out there who really like this book because the concept of Point Break cool dude drug dealers is their wettest fantasy but it's just not that great. It's more Weeds or High Profits than Breaking Bad or The Wire.
I give this 4 stars because Winslow is a crime fiction hitman. He comes in, does the job, gets out. Not an extraneous move or word is left behind. 290 chapters (numbered paragraphs) in 302 pages means a lot of white space and you will burn through this before you remember you started. Quick and dirty! Lotsa fun.
If you have problems with reading about drugs, murder and sex I suggest you stick with Amish Romance.
Recommended.
If you have problems with reading about drugs, murder and sex I suggest you stick with Amish Romance.
Recommended.
Like a great rock album - fast, loud, doesn't outstay its welcome, and a whole lot of fun. The opening page gambit is going to either hook you or push you away - go with your instincts because you'll be led in the right either way.
A more profane, Rock 'n' Roll kind of review at Raging Biblioholism: http://wp.me/sGVzJ-savages
A more profane, Rock 'n' Roll kind of review at Raging Biblioholism: http://wp.me/sGVzJ-savages
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wanted to like it, but I didn't. Not my style. Clipped sentences.
This book made almost no sense what so ever. It was dull and really uninteresting. I will see the movie and I hope with all my heart, that it is much better than this weird excuse for a book.
It was nearly impossible to stop reading this book once I started, so clear your calendar and get ready to devour this book in one sitting.
Don Winslow's Savages is the insane and graphically violent story of Ben, Chon, Ophelia, and the Mexican Baja Cartel. Ben and Chon are Californian marijuana mega-dealers. Ben has a conscience and donates most of his earnings to rebuild third world countries and invest in education. Chon, on the other hand, is a Navy SEAL who killed with impunity. He now stays home in Laguna Beach to manage business while Ben is off trying to make the world a better place.
Both men love Ophelia, a.k.a. O, nicknamed after her earth-shattering orgasms. O lives at home with her SoCal mother, shopping, smoking weed, having sex, and aimlessly gallivanting through Orange County.
Ben and Chon are approached by the Baja Cartel, who disparage the way B&C have been doing business (humane, largely crime-free, relatively low margin but still rolling in the dough). Neither man wants to sell out, and they find themselves in a violent sword-fight with Queen Elena, head of the Baja Cartel.
This novel is f*cked up in the manner of all drug wars, but remains absolutely enthralling. Like rubbernecking on the highway after a horrendous car wreck, I was unable to do anything but read this book. Winslow's short chapters, decapitated sentences, acronyms, and constant cliffhangers make this an unstoppable story. Not for the faint of heart, I wholeheartedly recommend Savages.
Favorite quotes:
"Fascifuckinating"
"Dope is supposed to be bad, but in a bad world it's good" (24).
"...You don't change the world. It changes you" (95).
"If people believe that you're weak, sooner or later you're going to have to kill them" (135).
"Advertising gives beautiful names to ugly things. Pornography gives ugly names to beautiful things" (165).
"And it's all fun and games till someone loses an I" (297).
Don Winslow's Savages is the insane and graphically violent story of Ben, Chon, Ophelia, and the Mexican Baja Cartel. Ben and Chon are Californian marijuana mega-dealers. Ben has a conscience and donates most of his earnings to rebuild third world countries and invest in education. Chon, on the other hand, is a Navy SEAL who killed with impunity. He now stays home in Laguna Beach to manage business while Ben is off trying to make the world a better place.
Both men love Ophelia, a.k.a. O, nicknamed after her earth-shattering orgasms. O lives at home with her SoCal mother, shopping, smoking weed, having sex, and aimlessly gallivanting through Orange County.
Ben and Chon are approached by the Baja Cartel, who disparage the way B&C have been doing business (humane, largely crime-free, relatively low margin but still rolling in the dough). Neither man wants to sell out, and they find themselves in a violent sword-fight with Queen Elena, head of the Baja Cartel.
This novel is f*cked up in the manner of all drug wars, but remains absolutely enthralling. Like rubbernecking on the highway after a horrendous car wreck, I was unable to do anything but read this book. Winslow's short chapters, decapitated sentences, acronyms, and constant cliffhangers make this an unstoppable story. Not for the faint of heart, I wholeheartedly recommend Savages.
Favorite quotes:
"Fascifuckinating"
"Dope is supposed to be bad, but in a bad world it's good" (24).
"...You don't change the world. It changes you" (95).
"If people believe that you're weak, sooner or later you're going to have to kill them" (135).
"Advertising gives beautiful names to ugly things. Pornography gives ugly names to beautiful things" (165).
"And it's all fun and games till someone loses an I" (297).