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kcv's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Recommended by a friend when I told her we were moving directly across from the courthouse. This book is a wild ride of racism, elitism, class structures, law, and New York City, baby.
Like wolf of Wall Street meets law and order: bronx meets we both reached for the gun from Chicago the musical
I loved it. Also, the physical descriptions of NYC were spot on nearly 40 years later. Also, how wild is it that it’s almost forty years since 1987.
Anyway, loved the satire, loved the social critiques, loved Tom Wolfe’s writing style. Bummed that the movie tanked bc the way he writes is MADE for a screenplay.
Like wolf of Wall Street meets law and order: bronx meets we both reached for the gun from Chicago the musical
I loved it. Also, the physical descriptions of NYC were spot on nearly 40 years later. Also, how wild is it that it’s almost forty years since 1987.
Anyway, loved the satire, loved the social critiques, loved Tom Wolfe’s writing style. Bummed that the movie tanked bc the way he writes is MADE for a screenplay.
omgwtfkvb's review against another edition
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Every character in the book is despicable besides Sherman’s wife and daughter, and Henry Lamb and his mom, and meanwhile that poor kid was in a coma 99% of the book. And that is entirely the point. Sherman was absolutely the worst and I wanted him to lose in the worst way possible, while also taking Marie down with him, who was vapid, shallow, and awful. And don’t get me started on the justice system. It’s the point of the book - to see the rich for what they are, to see the justice system as it breaks down. But maaaaan do you love to hate all of them.
knittingdoc's review
5.0
read this a long time ago... before the movie. i liked the book more, but the movie was okay, too.
jackrabbitjb's review
4.0
This is a rare specimen: a literary page-turner.
Wolfe has done a fantastic job with his caricature of New York for the uninitiated and the drama that unfolds within is full of intrigue, violence, and lust. It's all delivered tastefully, though with an overindulgent flare and aspiration to comedy that falls flat more often than not (perhaps reminiscent of Fitzgerald?). The characters' particular vanities require us to read from a distance without much emotional investment, but the darker side of us will surely find something to relate to.
Definitely worth the time.
Wolfe has done a fantastic job with his caricature of New York for the uninitiated and the drama that unfolds within is full of intrigue, violence, and lust. It's all delivered tastefully, though with an overindulgent flare and aspiration to comedy that falls flat more often than not (perhaps reminiscent of Fitzgerald?). The characters' particular vanities require us to read from a distance without much emotional investment, but the darker side of us will surely find something to relate to.
Definitely worth the time.
colleengeedrumm's review
4.0
Like the French say, 'To understand all is to forgive all.'
Can't you forgive me?
I suppose I could, but what would that change?
Can't you forgive me?
I suppose I could, but what would that change?
caressemh90's review
dark
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
talina's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A bit dated but still provides some interesting depictions of class disparities and racism in the justice system
aliceboule's review
4.0
Fabulous. Just fabulous. I'd been wanting to read this for years and kept putting it for some reason or other, and that was a mistake.
A masterpiece of intrigue, shame and American psychosis.
A masterpiece of intrigue, shame and American psychosis.
dom_jones's review
4.0
Very easy to read and an entertaining plot, not quite outweighed by the horrible movie poster cover. Read as a reflection of 1980s New York and it’s corresponding social conflicts, this book has some interesting aspects.
The character of Rev. Bacon stuck out to me, particularly the way he outlines his ideology to the DA’s office in chapter 6. The idea of weaponising minority anger is a valid and deep topic, even if Bacon’s exploitation of it for financial gain is reprehensible.
I did find Wolfe’s representations of black characters somewhat problematic through this book. Black characters seem to be reduced to the status of comic, violent, self serving thugs, with their community undermined by central tenets of violence and crime.
On the other hand, Wolfe’s depiction of white characters is equally unflattering. All male characters come with plenty of laughable ego and self-importance - the complete takedown of the DA’s assistant Kramer at the end of the novel is very satisfying. The novel’s many diner dates between characters particularly highlight male ego and self importance, with characters boring their female or otherwise ‘subordinate’ companions.
Overall, quite a fun novel with deeper points to be taken too - enjoyed.
The character of Rev. Bacon stuck out to me, particularly the way he outlines his ideology to the DA’s office in chapter 6. The idea of weaponising minority anger is a valid and deep topic, even if Bacon’s exploitation of it for financial gain is reprehensible.
I did find Wolfe’s representations of black characters somewhat problematic through this book. Black characters seem to be reduced to the status of comic, violent, self serving thugs, with their community undermined by central tenets of violence and crime.
On the other hand, Wolfe’s depiction of white characters is equally unflattering. All male characters come with plenty of laughable ego and self-importance - the complete takedown of the DA’s assistant Kramer at the end of the novel is very satisfying. The novel’s many diner dates between characters particularly highlight male ego and self importance, with characters boring their female or otherwise ‘subordinate’ companions.
Overall, quite a fun novel with deeper points to be taken too - enjoyed.