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frawst_disasta_reads's review
4.0
If you like poker, read this book. If you’re unsure about poker? Read this book. If you don’t like real people who lose themselves because of money? Don’t read this book.
And finally if you’re a fan of Toby Maguire? Maybe don’t read this book.
The book itself is a fast and action packed read. I really enjoyed it.
And finally if you’re a fan of Toby Maguire? Maybe don’t read this book.
The book itself is a fast and action packed read. I really enjoyed it.
egould1's review against another edition
3.0
A quick, engaging read. The ending was rather abrupt and took a serious turn that didn’t seem quite sincere given the rest of the book. The movie version did justice to the book; so much so that you’d be fine choosing one or the other.
timnorman's review
3.0
An entertaining read, but even though it's based on actual events it goes through all the typical beats of a story and doesn't really feel original. It's got all the cliches of the super-rich, degenerate gambler; the proud assholes of LA; and the glitzy friends and associates who disappear as soon as the money's gone.
It also feels repetitive because there is so much description of setting up game after game, recruiting new gamblers, and how she constantly has to be ever more accommodating to the ridiculous requests of her clients. The story is almost all about her rise, and the fall comes very abruptly and with very little resolution. This book was written while she was still awaiting sentencing, and there was no afterward or update even though years have passed by now.
The most interesting thing was that in a story full of badly behaving billionaires, degenerate gamblers, and a little bit of the mob, it's Tobey Maguire (yeah, the Spider-Man guy) who's the sleaziest, most selfish , whiniest, asshole of them all. If even half the stuff in this book about him are true then fuck that guy.
It also feels repetitive because there is so much description of setting up game after game, recruiting new gamblers, and how she constantly has to be ever more accommodating to the ridiculous requests of her clients. The story is almost all about her rise, and the fall comes very abruptly and with very little resolution. This book was written while she was still awaiting sentencing, and there was no afterward or update even though years have passed by now.
The most interesting thing was that in a story full of badly behaving billionaires, degenerate gamblers, and a little bit of the mob, it's Tobey Maguire (yeah, the Spider-Man guy) who's the sleaziest, most selfish , whiniest, asshole of them all. If even half the stuff in this book about him are true then fuck that guy.
gggracesmith's review
3.0
As someone who was also once a lost young person in LA, understanding how Molly got swept up in the world she did makes sense. I was a bit bummed at the end though to hear that she would do it all again if she could. I understand how she learned life lessons etc, but she cut out friends and family and lost herself in the process of getting to the top. Some parts of this book were so cringe honestly but it was wild and absolutely tea.
eowyns_helmet's review
2.0
A quick and very dirty read. This is definitely a voyeur's book, an invitation to peeks behind some luxurious-looking curtains that in fact are dripping with filth. Horrible people, horrible wastes -- I get the "fun" but I literally took a shower after finishing (I skipped a lot). They one take-away is that our current economics, where a very few are able to piss away millions while so many struggle -- needs a dramatic change.
rissreads16's review
4.0
very good! molly is honorary virgo if she isn’t actually a virgo. did she go to jail though? why did the ending kind of confuse me. …
julia0000's review
4.0
So I watched the movie first and was intrigued enough to pick up the book so as to know what personal aspects were different. In summary but without spoilers: the poker action in the book was as intriguing as the movie and written with more context for the players, personal relationships were elaborated on in Molly’s life leading the reader to better understand her as a person as well as to get a cleaner view of the addiction she had to the lifestyle and power.