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dantastic's review against another edition
4.0
Lorenzo Brown, dog catcher and ex-con, struggles to keep from falling back into his old ways, while his parole officer, Rachel Lopez, has some problems of her own. What will happen when two drug factions get into a dispute and Brown and Lopez find themselves caught in the crossfire?
Drama City is a throwback to George Pelecanos DC Quartet. While it's a crime book, it's also a story of life in Washington, DC. In this case, it's the story of a black man trying not to fall back into a life of dealing drugs and a parole officer trying not to let her life go up in flames due to her addictions to sex and booze.
Brown and Lopez are both deeply conflicted characters. It could be that Brown's love of animals and feels toward the young woman and her little girl that he sees every day while walking his dog are all the keeps him from his old life of violence. Lopez has never been in an equal relationship and the idea of one scares her.
Brown's friend from his youth, Nigel Johnson, is a fairly powerful drug dealer. After a minor turf dispute with a rival dealer's thugs, things begin building and Lorenzo is pulled in when he breaks up a dog fighting ring. Melvin Lee, one of the thugs he runs across, shares his parole officer.
Father figures and growing up without a father play important roles in Drama City. Rico Miller, psychopath that he is, sees Melvin as a father figure, and therein is the source of much of the drama that happens in the story. Nigel Johnson sees himself as a father figure to Michael Butler, and when Michael winds up dead, things quickly escalate.
There isn't a lot of action in Drama City. Most of the events are of the emotional sort, but when the violence comes, it is brutal. I love the twist at the end with Nigel and Lorenzo.
Most of Pelecanos' books have a cinematic feel but Drama City felt the most like a movie to me so far. Like something that would probably be nominated but not win an Academy Award.
As with all Pelecanos books, there are a lot of music references and a fair amount of car talk. Derek Strange and his dog make an uncredited cameo appearance early on. Well, Greco is named but not Strange. One thing I noticed is that Pelecanos doesn't often point out skin color to describe characters so you might not realize someone is or isn't white right away.
Like I said earlier, Drama City feels like a throwback to the DC Quartet to me. Four out of five stars.
Drama City is a throwback to George Pelecanos DC Quartet. While it's a crime book, it's also a story of life in Washington, DC. In this case, it's the story of a black man trying not to fall back into a life of dealing drugs and a parole officer trying not to let her life go up in flames due to her addictions to sex and booze.
Brown and Lopez are both deeply conflicted characters. It could be that Brown's love of animals and feels toward the young woman and her little girl that he sees every day while walking his dog are all the keeps him from his old life of violence. Lopez has never been in an equal relationship and the idea of one scares her.
Brown's friend from his youth, Nigel Johnson, is a fairly powerful drug dealer. After a minor turf dispute with a rival dealer's thugs, things begin building and Lorenzo is pulled in when he breaks up a dog fighting ring. Melvin Lee, one of the thugs he runs across, shares his parole officer.
Father figures and growing up without a father play important roles in Drama City. Rico Miller, psychopath that he is, sees Melvin as a father figure, and therein is the source of much of the drama that happens in the story. Nigel Johnson sees himself as a father figure to Michael Butler, and when Michael winds up dead, things quickly escalate.
There isn't a lot of action in Drama City. Most of the events are of the emotional sort, but when the violence comes, it is brutal. I love the twist at the end with Nigel and Lorenzo.
Most of Pelecanos' books have a cinematic feel but Drama City felt the most like a movie to me so far. Like something that would probably be nominated but not win an Academy Award.
As with all Pelecanos books, there are a lot of music references and a fair amount of car talk. Derek Strange and his dog make an uncredited cameo appearance early on. Well, Greco is named but not Strange. One thing I noticed is that Pelecanos doesn't often point out skin color to describe characters so you might not realize someone is or isn't white right away.
Like I said earlier, Drama City feels like a throwback to the DC Quartet to me. Four out of five stars.
jeffrossbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Not as good as most of his work. I like that he tried to do something different but then in doing something different I wanted him to do what he had done before. Weird that
mrclintdavis's review against another edition
4.0
You can't ask for much more from a 289-page book. The characters are so well painted and their dialogue is so real that you can picture the scenes of DRAMA CITY in your mind like you were watching one the many fine episodes George Pelecanos wrote for THE WIRE.
This book is perfectly paced with pages and short chapters that zoom by. Pelecanos has a lot to say about the people that make up the toughest parts of Washington DC. He's also got a lot to say about redemption and how difficult it is to move past your demons.
As the stories of Lorenzo Brown, an ex-felon who works as a humane society officer, and Rachel Lopez, a probation officer who battles alcoholism, unfold, you realize that the moral of this story is one of teamwork. Pelecanos nearly moved me to tears several times with his descriptions of the everyday heroes who help others make it through their daily struggles.
There's some beautiful writing here and some very funny dialogue. Pelecanos is a master of character and setting.
This book is perfectly paced with pages and short chapters that zoom by. Pelecanos has a lot to say about the people that make up the toughest parts of Washington DC. He's also got a lot to say about redemption and how difficult it is to move past your demons.
As the stories of Lorenzo Brown, an ex-felon who works as a humane society officer, and Rachel Lopez, a probation officer who battles alcoholism, unfold, you realize that the moral of this story is one of teamwork. Pelecanos nearly moved me to tears several times with his descriptions of the everyday heroes who help others make it through their daily struggles.
There's some beautiful writing here and some very funny dialogue. Pelecanos is a master of character and setting.
joemacare's review against another edition
4.0
If you like the idea of an extra season of The Wire that's about parole officers and ex-cons working for the Humane Society, then this is the book for you. And if you don't, what's wrong with you? Drama City is much slighter than a season of anything - almost all the novel takes place over the course of 48 hours - but Pelecanos has a superb ear for dialogue and the plot doesn't go where you expect. This would have five stars if I wasn't a little unsure about the book's gender politics.
marystevens's review against another edition
4.0
Engaging hero, Lorenzo Brown, returns to his DC hood after serving time (drugs). Now rescuing animals for the Humane Society, he is close to his dedicated PO, Rachel, who has problems of her own. Issues from his homies intrude. We get a good in-depth picture of life in DC for all sorts of people. Plot and pace are good; hard to put down.
jakewritesbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Before I begin my review, I have to give George Pelecanos one of the highest compliments I can give a white writer: he writes good dialogue for non-white people. That's something that I really can't say about a lot of other white authors and it drives me nuts. Anyway...
A peak into the cycle of drugs and how people who try to leave it still get sucked in. It was a very well-written piece with good dialogue that doesn't aspire to be anything more than it's not. But that's kind of my issue with Pelecanos' work. I've read two of his books now, enjoyed them both...but they don't take me anywhere. I don't finish them feeling entertained, cynical, upset, angry, sad, happy or whatever. It's just a finished book. I enjoy them enough but I feel that I should be enjoying them more if that makes sense. Well-written urban fiction is right up my alley. I've got another one coming up soon on Kindle and if I conclude feeling the same way, I might take a break from Pelecanos for a spell.
A peak into the cycle of drugs and how people who try to leave it still get sucked in. It was a very well-written piece with good dialogue that doesn't aspire to be anything more than it's not. But that's kind of my issue with Pelecanos' work. I've read two of his books now, enjoyed them both...but they don't take me anywhere. I don't finish them feeling entertained, cynical, upset, angry, sad, happy or whatever. It's just a finished book. I enjoy them enough but I feel that I should be enjoying them more if that makes sense. Well-written urban fiction is right up my alley. I've got another one coming up soon on Kindle and if I conclude feeling the same way, I might take a break from Pelecanos for a spell.
paperbackstash's review against another edition
3.0
Lorenzo Brown is an ex-convict who is determined to lead a normal, morally righteous life. He is employed as a Humane Society officer for the city, determined to protect abused animals and bring some sort of justice to those that cannot defend themselves. Throughout all this, he has to stop himself from getting involved with the old street life.
At work he is employed alongside Mark, who is a humorous and supportive character. The trials he goes through as a Humane Officer are intriguing and depressing in a realistic way.
His parole officer, Rachel Lopez, is one of the good ones, believing that some people really can transform their lives for the better. But while during the day she has her head on her shoulders, at night is a much different story.
Drama City takes the reader through the daily lives of both of these main characters, creating an interesting story that is believable and realistic. When something tragic happens that could cause Lorenzo to undo his oath that says he should stay on the good side of things, will he be able to resist the temptation? What is the right thing for him to do after all?
George Pelecanos' story is one of hope, inspiration and survival. His style is easy to digest, his point comes across clearly without sounding preachy and his characters are strong.
On the negative side, the novel could have used some tightening in pace and tension, with more flavor added to Lorenzo's life (present and past). Overall, though, it's an enjoyable read that is thought-provoking, emotionally gripping and well-written.
At work he is employed alongside Mark, who is a humorous and supportive character. The trials he goes through as a Humane Officer are intriguing and depressing in a realistic way.
His parole officer, Rachel Lopez, is one of the good ones, believing that some people really can transform their lives for the better. But while during the day she has her head on her shoulders, at night is a much different story.
Drama City takes the reader through the daily lives of both of these main characters, creating an interesting story that is believable and realistic. When something tragic happens that could cause Lorenzo to undo his oath that says he should stay on the good side of things, will he be able to resist the temptation? What is the right thing for him to do after all?
George Pelecanos' story is one of hope, inspiration and survival. His style is easy to digest, his point comes across clearly without sounding preachy and his characters are strong.
On the negative side, the novel could have used some tightening in pace and tension, with more flavor added to Lorenzo's life (present and past). Overall, though, it's an enjoyable read that is thought-provoking, emotionally gripping and well-written.
judd's review against another edition
4.0
If you've watched The Wire, many of these characters will be quite familiar, as the writer is a producer/writer on the show.
The main character is very much like the ex-con boxing instructor, Cuddy but in this he works for the humane society, prosecuting people who abuse animals. It was a fast read, well researched and well wrought.
Good stuff.
The main character is very much like the ex-con boxing instructor, Cuddy but in this he works for the humane society, prosecuting people who abuse animals. It was a fast read, well researched and well wrought.
Good stuff.
genaveve6's review against another edition
2.0
I don't know why I read this book, something different maybe? This book is ok if you'd like to learn the bad neighborhoods of DC, and which corners belong to which drug lords. Otherwise, skip it, and apparently it's the first in a series? hmmm..