Reviews

The Choirboys by Joseph Wambaugh

sandin954's review against another edition

5.0

Published back in 1975, this books looks at a group of policeman on the night beat in Los Angles and shows how they get through their job each night warts and all. Maybe a bit too long, this had some dark humor but was also a disturbing though seemingly realistic read.

ke5bm's review against another edition

2.0

This book was recommended to me by a co-worker. It was a very difficult read for me due to the pattern in which it was written and the use of many different names for the same people in some cases. However, I liked how the book hinted at how it would end, slowly put all the pieces together and finally ended with a bang. It definitely had some slow spots and isn't your typical law enforcement drama.

ruthll29's review against another edition

challenging dark funny slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

kmac07's review against another edition

5.0

Crazy book. Scathing for law enforcement of the time and oddly funny. Great antiheroes.

nealalex's review against another edition

3.0

Combines the violence of James Ellroy with the mean-spiritedness of a gross-out movie.

stevemcdede's review against another edition

5.0

this one got a little banged up.
sir, there's a little dew on the lily
now you can use him as a paperweight

5wamp_creature's review against another edition

4.0

Very entertaining and often humorous horror/thriller about LA cops. I think one may want to be a cop for good reasons, but soon one becomes as psychotic as the criminals one deals with. I think crime is an act of desperation or last resort. I think the cops can't/don't have empathy for criminals: they see criminals as a lower species that need law enforcement help the way a biting dog needs to be beaten--that is, a response that often does not remedy the problem.

I wouldn't recommend this book for you if didn't think Animal House was funny.

vinniesee's review

dark funny sad slow-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

thetamouse's review

4.0

I've read all of Wambaugh's books, always thinking that this isn't the kind of thing I read and always walking away harrowed and impressed.

This was my first and favorite balancing dark and funny in a way that 15 year old me couldn't resist.

baboon's review

4.0

interesting as precursor to connelly's harry bosch and as influenced by chandler, cain, hammet etc
his street cops are interesting but some (like the secrets of harry bright) less so...