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stevenyenzer's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting little departure from Rawlins's usual stomping grounds in L.A. Not a mystery but an origin story of sorts. Just as well-written and weird as the best of Easy Rawlins.
katzreads's review against another edition
No idea when I read it or what I thought of it. I'm clearing out some mysteries to give to the McAllisters, and this is on the "I've read this" bookshelf. I must have liked it or I wouldn't have kept it, but I rarely re-read!
saroz162's review against another edition
3.0
A somewhat slight prequel novel (maybe even technically a novella) from Mosley, and an interesting - surprising - choice after where he left the friendship between Easy and Mouse at the conclusion of the previous (published) novel, A Little Yellow Dog. I almost feel like this one would have been better placed before that book.
As always, the best part of Mosley's writing is Easy's voice, as well as the various characters he encounters. Fortunately, here, the cast is small enough you can keep them all in order very easily, and there's no real attempt at a "mystery" - anyone who has read the earlier Easy books knows what's coming, it's just a question of how we get there and what Easy will go through.
If I'm honest, while interesting in many ways, this feels like a bit of a dead-end for the series - maybe even a way to run out a contract? it may even best be viewed as a treat for longtime readers, as opposed to a book with its own unique identity. After a novel a year, it was almost half a decade before Mosley went back to Easy, and I can't help wondering if he was feeling burnt out at this point. I'm not - but I agree with the implication that something needs to evolve, and perhaps this is Mosley's way of tying up some loose ends before he strikes out in a new direction for the series. We'll see.
As always, the best part of Mosley's writing is Easy's voice, as well as the various characters he encounters. Fortunately, here, the cast is small enough you can keep them all in order very easily, and there's no real attempt at a "mystery" - anyone who has read the earlier Easy books knows what's coming, it's just a question of how we get there and what Easy will go through.
If I'm honest, while interesting in many ways, this feels like a bit of a dead-end for the series - maybe even a way to run out a contract? it may even best be viewed as a treat for longtime readers, as opposed to a book with its own unique identity. After a novel a year, it was almost half a decade before Mosley went back to Easy, and I can't help wondering if he was feeling burnt out at this point. I'm not - but I agree with the implication that something needs to evolve, and perhaps this is Mosley's way of tying up some loose ends before he strikes out in a new direction for the series. We'll see.
constantreader471's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars.
This is my first Easy Rawlins book. It takes place in 1939, when Easy is only 19. It opens in Houston, Texas, when Easy's friend Mouse asks Easy to drive Mouse to Pariah, Texas. Mouse is about to get married to Etta. He decides to go to Pariah and demand money from his stepfather Reese. This is a coming of age story with deaths that cause Easy to drink himself almost to death. Mouse teaches Easy his unique way of fishing on the trip.
I have been reading rave reviews of the Easy Rawlins series for years and enjoyed this one, although it was depressing, because of the poverty and racism depicted so graphically in the book. It was a library book.
This is my first Easy Rawlins book. It takes place in 1939, when Easy is only 19. It opens in Houston, Texas, when Easy's friend Mouse asks Easy to drive Mouse to Pariah, Texas. Mouse is about to get married to Etta. He decides to go to Pariah and demand money from his stepfather Reese. This is a coming of age story with deaths that cause Easy to drink himself almost to death. Mouse teaches Easy his unique way of fishing on the trip.
I have been reading rave reviews of the Easy Rawlins series for years and enjoyed this one, although it was depressing, because of the poverty and racism depicted so graphically in the book. It was a library book.
mrswythe89's review against another edition
4.0
Man, if all noir was like this I would be totally into noir. The sexy times in the bayou scene was a bit weird, though.
writermattphillips's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting novel about Easy and Mouse...A search for meaning in this big old life!
happeningalmond's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
redsmooth's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
momthebomb's review
5.0
I loved the Easy Rawlings series so much but this prequel was by far the best. The setting is intriguing and it's loaded with vivid, seedy scenes in the bayou.