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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
DNF at 41% ... I couldn’t get into this. It felt repetitive and every chapter explains Hill’s numerous scams but there’s not much insight beyond that.
Rating my experience: 4.5 out of 5
I first experienced Wiseguy through its 1990 film adaptation, Goodfellas. As a cinephile, the movie blew me away (I think I saw it three times in the theater). Sometime after, I picked up Wiseguy, and now, with this 2024 reading, I think it's my second or third time revisiting the book. It remains every bit as excellent as the film—highly recommended for anyone interested in true crime, criminal psychopathy, and cultural biographical stories. This time around, I noticed Pileggi's clever use of contrasting certain anecdotes told by Henry Hill, the primary "protagonist," with versions from his wife Karen. From this, we feel Hill might not be the most reliable narrator, echoing both Rashomon-style storytelling and the manipulative nature of a criminal sociopath. Overall, Wiseguy is gripping, paced beautifully, and leaves a lasting impression about the most remorseless people we share the world with.
I first experienced Wiseguy through its 1990 film adaptation, Goodfellas. As a cinephile, the movie blew me away (I think I saw it three times in the theater). Sometime after, I picked up Wiseguy, and now, with this 2024 reading, I think it's my second or third time revisiting the book. It remains every bit as excellent as the film—highly recommended for anyone interested in true crime, criminal psychopathy, and cultural biographical stories. This time around, I noticed Pileggi's clever use of contrasting certain anecdotes told by Henry Hill, the primary "protagonist," with versions from his wife Karen. From this, we feel Hill might not be the most reliable narrator, echoing both Rashomon-style storytelling and the manipulative nature of a criminal sociopath. Overall, Wiseguy is gripping, paced beautifully, and leaves a lasting impression about the most remorseless people we share the world with.
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
dark
funny
medium-paced
adventurous
informative
tense
fast-paced
Fastest read of the year behind Jaws. Could not put it down. The final few paragraphs...
dark
funny
informative
fast-paced
If you liked the movie, you will be happy to know that the script is almost word for word this book. If you watched the movie, the book will yield very little new information.
The movie is pretty faithful to the book. If you have seen the movie, especially if you have seen it multiple times, you will know every twist and turn. Whether that is good or bad is really up to you, but I enjoyed the book (even with a thorough knowledge of the film).
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
tense
fast-paced
Really interesting. I loved Goodfellas and this is all the truth behind it. I still don't understand how Henry Hill is still alive.