Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
dark
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really liked this book. It left me a bit disturbed, sweaty, and with the scent of onions in my nose.
Chasing the dragon...only in a different way.
Chasing the dragon...only in a different way.
I can see Zac Efron and the other cast playing this in November, which is good! But this book is not one of the best. Hopefully Hollywood spices it up a bit because it's full of bland plot lines.
This is the third book of Pete Dexter's that I've read. It's hard to say exactly what it is that keeps me coming back. On one level these are dark, disturbing narratives that look unflinchingly at violent acts. Both The Paperboy and Paris Trout take place in remote corners of the Jim Crow South, where social behavior operates according to a whole set of unspoken rules and conventions that have nothing to do with the legal system. There are shades of Faulkner in The Paperboy, just as in Paris Trout, this time in the characterization of the Snopes-like Van Wetter family. The creepy factor is very high here, and Dexter does a very good job capturing the instense fear that can be generated with few words and the right atmosphere.
But this story, like Paris Trout, is about much more than the crime allegedly committed by Hillary Van Wetter. The arcs of both stories are very similar, as both continue way past the resolution of the central case, allowing the reader to sit with the characters and the consequences of their choices just long enough to get really uncomfortable. This is a story about a father's inability or unwillingness to connect with his sons. It's a story about brothers who live in isolation right next to each other, and while the reader comes to understand their common struggles, the characters themselves remain remote. It's a story about alcoholism and self-loathing. And it's also a story about the newspaper business. Dexter's take on the New Journalism is sharp and refreshing. Yardley Acheman, the story's ambitious bullshitter, a writer who likes to get "the long view" of things, admiring the process more than the facts, is one of the most well written assholes I've encountered in a long time.
The trailer for the recently produced movie inspired by this book reveals many alterations to the plot and characters, and not for the better. I recommend the book, not the movie!
But this story, like Paris Trout, is about much more than the crime allegedly committed by Hillary Van Wetter. The arcs of both stories are very similar, as both continue way past the resolution of the central case, allowing the reader to sit with the characters and the consequences of their choices just long enough to get really uncomfortable. This is a story about a father's inability or unwillingness to connect with his sons. It's a story about brothers who live in isolation right next to each other, and while the reader comes to understand their common struggles, the characters themselves remain remote. It's a story about alcoholism and self-loathing. And it's also a story about the newspaper business. Dexter's take on the New Journalism is sharp and refreshing. Yardley Acheman, the story's ambitious bullshitter, a writer who likes to get "the long view" of things, admiring the process more than the facts, is one of the most well written assholes I've encountered in a long time.
The trailer for the recently produced movie inspired by this book reveals many alterations to the plot and characters, and not for the better. I recommend the book, not the movie!
Taking place in the 1960's, Jack recalls his brother Ward, and partner from the newspaper, coming back to their small town to work on a story for their Miami newspaper. They investigate a local murder, a small town hick having been sent to prison for the murder, but his fiance sure he was innocent.
It's exciting, and emotional, and a lot of the story is subtle, weaving through conversation and actions that seem unrelated, but by the end everything ties into its self.
Ward is a fantastic character, and he's memorable. Jack is less of a strong character, but he's less of a strong character in general. Ward is an iconic literary character.
The story is realistic, and relatable, while also being unique in its story telling, and a fast paced read. At the end, I had to sit there, and think about it, and just kind of absorb everything in. The movie does a pretty good job, but there are a lot of subtleties it misses, and key plot points have been changed.
It's a very good book and I would definitely recommend it to someone else to read. I intend to read more of this author's work. I give it a 4 1/2 out of 5.
It's exciting, and emotional, and a lot of the story is subtle, weaving through conversation and actions that seem unrelated, but by the end everything ties into its self.
Ward is a fantastic character, and he's memorable. Jack is less of a strong character, but he's less of a strong character in general. Ward is an iconic literary character.
The story is realistic, and relatable, while also being unique in its story telling, and a fast paced read. At the end, I had to sit there, and think about it, and just kind of absorb everything in. The movie does a pretty good job, but there are a lot of subtleties it misses, and key plot points have been changed.
It's a very good book and I would definitely recommend it to someone else to read. I intend to read more of this author's work. I give it a 4 1/2 out of 5.
I was kept engaged throughout the majority of the book. I felt like a lot of questions weren’t answered in as much detailed as I would have like. There was some wrap up towards the end but overall a good read!
I felt like I had to wade through this book to find the story underneath. Pure melancholy. I felt sorry for the two boys: abandoned by their mom, ignored by their dad, and just drifting along.
All of the women are terrible, and most of the men are too.
From now on I'm just going to call Pete Dexter the atmosphere writer. He paints a picture of the backcountry of Florida, the swamps and the small town, and a Miami and its competitive newspaper world in such detail that I can close my eyes and be there. He re-creates the 70s with its attitudes and quirks in such a way that you can taste and smell the hotel rooms, the stately houses, and the dingy shacks.
Hillary Van Wetter was tried and sentenced to death for the murder of the sheriff of Moat County. Four years later Hillary's fiancé contacts the protagonists older brother and his writing partner at the newspaper in hopes that they can investigate the crime, prove Hillary's innocence, and get him released from death row.
But if you're looking for an investigation into the crime you're going to be disappointed. This is an investigation into the lives of two reporters, Ward James and Yardley Acherman, and the narrator of the story, Jack. It deals with the inherent bigotry, sexism, and classism of the late 60s and early 70s in the southern part of the US. It deals with betrayal, ambition, and secrets. And it deals with the manipulations of backcountry rednecks who are a lot smarter than they seem.
It's a beautiful book and so very well-written.
Hillary Van Wetter was tried and sentenced to death for the murder of the sheriff of Moat County. Four years later Hillary's fiancé contacts the protagonists older brother and his writing partner at the newspaper in hopes that they can investigate the crime, prove Hillary's innocence, and get him released from death row.
But if you're looking for an investigation into the crime you're going to be disappointed. This is an investigation into the lives of two reporters, Ward James and Yardley Acherman, and the narrator of the story, Jack. It deals with the inherent bigotry, sexism, and classism of the late 60s and early 70s in the southern part of the US. It deals with betrayal, ambition, and secrets. And it deals with the manipulations of backcountry rednecks who are a lot smarter than they seem.
It's a beautiful book and so very well-written.