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churd's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This one is a bit of a tough one to gauge! It took me over 2 months to get through which would be a real indicator that I wasn't digging it, but yet I strangely was?
Anytime I was actually in the process of reading it, I was having a good time, but it just never had that thing pulling me back in for more. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a bit of a chore, but I'd also be lying if I said that I had a bad time.
Perfectly lukewarm feelings; cut all of the nonsense down by about 100 pages and you probably have a really great book.
Lots of laughs!
Anytime I was actually in the process of reading it, I was having a good time, but it just never had that thing pulling me back in for more. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a bit of a chore, but I'd also be lying if I said that I had a bad time.
Perfectly lukewarm feelings; cut all of the nonsense down by about 100 pages and you probably have a really great book.
Lots of laughs!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
misterjay's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent, if lengthy, crime story that gives equal weight to protagonists and antagonists alike. Suspenseful and griping action; minimal sex, but lots of explicit violence. Sensitive readers should be cautious with this one.
dantastic's review against another edition
3.0
Aging comedian Koo Davis is kidnapped and held for ransom by the People's Revolution Army. But will the PRA let Koo live even if their demands are met?
Donald E. Westlake wrote The Comedy is Finished sometime during the 1970's but decided not to publish it for a couple reasons. I'll be completely honest. For the first half of the book, I wasn't completely sold on The Comedy is Finished and was planning on giving it a 2. Then Westlake worked his magic.
My reasons for not loving The Comedy is Finished at the beginning are two: the first is that the story is very dated and full of references to the 1960's and Watergate. Westlake's Parker books have an almost timeless quality while this one is very, very much a product of the time it was written. The second reason I wasn't in love with this book is that I found Koo Davis to be more obnoxious than funny.
The story really started clicking for me when the complications began arising and the wheels fell off the kidnappers' plans. Without spoiling too much, there were three plot twists I didn't see coming until it was too late. I actually caught myself getting behind Koo even though I wasn't a big fan of most of his jokes.
The writing is vintage Westlake and does a lot toward earning the book back some points. There were a lot of good similes, some even Chandler-esque. There's a decent amount of violence and a fair amount of smut as well.
For once, there's a posthumously published book I fully approve of. The Comedy is Finished is ultimately an enjoyable read and a worth addition to the Hard Case Crime Series.
Donald E. Westlake wrote The Comedy is Finished sometime during the 1970's but decided not to publish it for a couple reasons. I'll be completely honest. For the first half of the book, I wasn't completely sold on The Comedy is Finished and was planning on giving it a 2. Then Westlake worked his magic.
My reasons for not loving The Comedy is Finished at the beginning are two: the first is that the story is very dated and full of references to the 1960's and Watergate. Westlake's Parker books have an almost timeless quality while this one is very, very much a product of the time it was written. The second reason I wasn't in love with this book is that I found Koo Davis to be more obnoxious than funny.
The story really started clicking for me when the complications began arising and the wheels fell off the kidnappers' plans. Without spoiling too much, there were three plot twists I didn't see coming until it was too late. I actually caught myself getting behind Koo even though I wasn't a big fan of most of his jokes.
The writing is vintage Westlake and does a lot toward earning the book back some points. There were a lot of good similes, some even Chandler-esque. There's a decent amount of violence and a fair amount of smut as well.
For once, there's a posthumously published book I fully approve of. The Comedy is Finished is ultimately an enjoyable read and a worth addition to the Hard Case Crime Series.
pattydsf's review against another edition
3.0
I have not read a lot of Westlake's books since I started tracking my reading. I have listened to most of his Dortmunder series which is always fun. This is a very different book. The Westlake humor is there, but this is a much darker tale.
It is the end of the 1970's and the revolution not only has not be televised, it has basically failed. However, there are always a few people who persist in their belief that their cause is worthy. This novel is about five people who want the revolution to succeed.
I don't want to give away the whole story. Westlake has put together a story that keeps his readers turning the pages. His characters, from the revolutionaries, through the FBI and police and the victims are all real. They are not stick figures or stereotypes.
I listened to the audio. The reader was good and he told the story well. I recommend the book to readers who want to see another side of Donald Westlake, those who like the Hard Crime books (this is one of them, number 105) and to fans of hard crime books, not cosies.
It is the end of the 1970's and the revolution not only has not be televised, it has basically failed. However, there are always a few people who persist in their belief that their cause is worthy. This novel is about five people who want the revolution to succeed.
I don't want to give away the whole story. Westlake has put together a story that keeps his readers turning the pages. His characters, from the revolutionaries, through the FBI and police and the victims are all real. They are not stick figures or stereotypes.
I listened to the audio. The reader was good and he told the story well. I recommend the book to readers who want to see another side of Donald Westlake, those who like the Hard Crime books (this is one of them, number 105) and to fans of hard crime books, not cosies.
bundy23's review against another edition
2.0
1.5 stars. File this under there's a reason this wasn't published when the author was alive. It wasn't very good and I wound up skimming through the 2nd half even though I didn't really care how it was going to end.
johnday's review against another edition
3.0
A real flashback to the radical politics of the '70s. An interesting read.
jakewritesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
A solid effort from Westlake that deserves more love than it has received. A crime novel wrapped in a period piece with some good twists and characters. A little slow at times but overall a fun read.
psteve's review against another edition
3.0
Written and set in the mid 70s, this is the story of an SLA-type group who kidnaps Koo Davis, a well-known comedian based loosely on Bob Hope. The manuscript was found & published after Westlake's death. It has lots of his touches -- good characterization, good plot. It was enjoyable to read, but nothing really special; I like funny Westlake much better.
jmeston's review against another edition
3.0
Chugga chugga, the plot moves on this honey. I liked how it reminded me of stories and scenes from my childhood, the 70s assassination atmosphere. Our protagonist is a funny (sorry) combo of sympathetic and not. Embarrassing cover but it does come straight from the text.