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kategci's review against another edition
4.0
I won an ARC of Gangster Nation from Goodreads. I read and enjoyed Gangsterland and I also enjoy listening to Tod Goldberg as a host of the Literary Disco podcast. This novel picks up a couple of years after Gangsterland and Rabbi David Cohen is continuing to minister to his flock in Las Vegas while continually trying to figure out how to get his old life back. Having previously murdered several FBI agents as well as enemies of his previous criminal enterprise, there are still people searching for him. This story moves swiftly and while I enjoyed it, I found the constant references to corruption in every day life tiresome at times. Tod writes crisply and pulls you into his characters worries and concerns. I will wait impatiently for the third in this series.
carlylottsofbookz's review against another edition
4.0
I'm ready for more of Sal Cupertine.
This is the second book of Sal's life... As Rabbi David Cohen. And it is just as good as the first. We get more about his wife, and more about his time in Vegas.
I'm ready for more!
This is the second book of Sal's life... As Rabbi David Cohen. And it is just as good as the first. We get more about his wife, and more about his time in Vegas.
I'm ready for more!
ardaigle's review against another edition
5.0
This read was a long time coming! I purchased Gangster Nation when it came out in 2017 and Tod was going on tour promoting it. First things first, I'm referring to him by his first name not because we are in any way actual friends, but because I FEEL like we are because I am a longtime listener of his podcast, Literary Disco, wherein he and two of his friends from an MFA program read and review books. Also, one of those friends is Rider Strong, aka Shawn Hunter from Boy Meets World, so there's that. This podcast has been brightening my life since its debut in 2012 and after 194 episodes, I can safely say they know what they're talking about. They are writers who love reading and have introduced me to so many great books and just brightened my dang life. So, if you haven't given it a listen, run don't walk, to your nearest podcast.
And now, this book! This is the second in what I recently learned will actually be a trilogy, the first book was Gangsterland and introduced us to Sal, a notorious mobster who ends up on the run from the FBI and is sent out to Vegas, undergoes plastic surgery, and is now masquerading as a rabbi. I liked the first installment well enough but thought it dragged a little. And I mean, I looove Tod so really wanted to like his books, so my expectations were probably sky-high. This second book took me a minute to get into, but once I gave it a chance I could NOT put it down, plus, I had the opportunity to actually read it while in Vegas which made for a fun experience. His writing is addictive and delicious: it was hard to pick a quote for this post because so many stuck out. There were a number of gasp-out-loud moments and the ending leaves you fulfilled, but curious about where the next installment will go.If like me you enjoy mafia stories and have rewatched Goodfellas and Casino more times than you can count, then this series is definitely for you.
And now, this book! This is the second in what I recently learned will actually be a trilogy, the first book was Gangsterland and introduced us to Sal, a notorious mobster who ends up on the run from the FBI and is sent out to Vegas, undergoes plastic surgery, and is now masquerading as a rabbi. I liked the first installment well enough but thought it dragged a little. And I mean, I looove Tod so really wanted to like his books, so my expectations were probably sky-high. This second book took me a minute to get into, but once I gave it a chance I could NOT put it down, plus, I had the opportunity to actually read it while in Vegas which made for a fun experience. His writing is addictive and delicious: it was hard to pick a quote for this post because so many stuck out. There were a number of gasp-out-loud moments and the ending leaves you fulfilled, but curious about where the next installment will go.If like me you enjoy mafia stories and have rewatched Goodfellas and Casino more times than you can count, then this series is definitely for you.
jmart81's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed the series. I'm not sure if I going to pick up the next one.
nightingalehero's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
librarybrooke's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ramsfan1963's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
While not as good as Gangsterland, this was still a 5 ⭐ read. Goldberg's character feel so real, not glorified gangsters but low rent thugs and killers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing
breealysia's review against another edition
5.0
This book is the sequel to Gangsterland and it continues the story of Mafia hitman turned rabbi Sal Cupertine. I liked this book even better than the first as the reader gets to go a bit deeper into the character and his struggle. The new characters are compelling and Goldberg treats violence so expertly that it’s not glorified. The consequences are examined from multiple perspectives. And even though this probably isn’t a genre I normally read, Goldberg is a masterful writer who’s work is always filled with the beauty and terror of what it means to be human in these strange times. I’m looking forward to the next one for sure.
rebecca_isreading's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to the publisher, Counterpoint, for providing a free advance copy for review.
Gangster Nation picks up a couple of years after Gangsterland, and follows former hit man, Sal Cupertine, who is now hiding in Las Vegas as Rabbi David Cohen. David knows that he's still a wanted man, and avoids being seen by surveillance cameras and checking in on his wife and son back in Chicago, despite his desperate desire to know they are surviving without him. This is a great story told with humor, suspense, and plenty of action. Sal/David is such a great character- he's going through the motions and expectations of his life as a rabbi while battling his natural tendencies towards violence and threats, and reading the ways he sometimes calls on his former persona in his current life is wickedly entertaining. The epilogue will leave readers wanting to read more about what happens next for the rabbi, with the final paragraphs leading to one of my favorite book endings of the year.
Gangster Nation picks up a couple of years after Gangsterland, and follows former hit man, Sal Cupertine, who is now hiding in Las Vegas as Rabbi David Cohen. David knows that he's still a wanted man, and avoids being seen by surveillance cameras and checking in on his wife and son back in Chicago, despite his desperate desire to know they are surviving without him. This is a great story told with humor, suspense, and plenty of action. Sal/David is such a great character- he's going through the motions and expectations of his life as a rabbi while battling his natural tendencies towards violence and threats, and reading the ways he sometimes calls on his former persona in his current life is wickedly entertaining. The epilogue will leave readers wanting to read more about what happens next for the rabbi, with the final paragraphs leading to one of my favorite book endings of the year.
debbshock's review against another edition
4.0
Very enjoyable. Really good humor and good, shady characters, enjoyable violence, lots of crime and killing. Very well done.