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trudilibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
First off, in case you didn't know Craig Davidson is also horror writer [a:Nick Cutter|6984661|Nick Cutter|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1373913431p2/6984661.jpg] who blasted onto the scene in 2014 with [b:The Troop|17571466|The Troop|Nick Cutter|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1397768496s/17571466.jpg|24510359] -- the book Stephen King declared scared him. Davidson, writing as Cutter, then went on to publish two more horror novels in quick succession -- [b:The Deep|21412284|The Deep|Nick Cutter|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1421037680s/21412284.jpg|40713268] and [b:The Acolyte|24497842|The Acolyte|Nick Cutter|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1421252620s/24497842.jpg|44093225]. I binge read all of them as fast as he could get them published (actually, truth be told I couldn't even wait for the books to be published; so smitten was I from the start I begged, borrowed, stole advance reading copies any way I could get them).
You could say Nick Cutter was my gateway drug to finding Craig Davidson. Once the connection was made it was only a matter of time before I picked up a Davidson novel to see what his other more literary, less genre focused, alter ego was capable of. Let me just say, no complaints here. Not a single one.
If like me, you're finding your way to this book because you've loved any or all of Davidson's Cutter books, just know that Cataract City is not graphic horror but rather contemporary literature. Yet, there is a lot of similarities in the intensity and emotionality of the writing. The character development that defines his horror writing is present here as well, taking possession of the narrative and of the reader in a way that's as addicting as it is signature.
Cataract City is Canada's version of grit lit or country noir in the tradition of [a:Daniel Woodrell|65135|Daniel Woodrell|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1276358809p2/65135.jpg], [a:Frank Bill|3983305|Frank Bill|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1366952773p2/3983305.jpg] and [a:Donald Ray Pollock|784866|Donald Ray Pollock|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1240540889p2/784866.jpg]. And now I'm going to do something lazy and narcissistic and quote myself here from a blog post I wrote about this genre:
These are tales about ordinary folk trapped in dead-end places in dead-end lives who don’t even have the wherewithal or wisdom to get the hell out of Dodge even if it means chewing their own goddam leg off to do so. No matter how beautifully written — the stories reveal a kind of brutalization lined with a deep and abiding sadness. People are desperate — or deranged — and behave accordingly. Sometimes it’s because of crushing poverty, other times it is because of inheriting a mantle of family violence that stretches back countless generations. I don’t know what that says about me that this sort of visceral reading experience appeals to me, but it does. Perhaps it’s the cold comfort that no matter how bad my life seems at any given moment on any given day, it will never be as bad as that.Cataract City is not rural noir in the strictest definition, but it is close enough to get you a cigar. It's small town life, it's being trapped, it's facing lack of opportunity and tragedy with grace, or reckless ineptitude. And reading it is going to break your heart.
This book is many books in one. It starts out a coming-of-age story worthy of Stephen King -- two 12 year old boys, best friends, lost and starving in the woods. Then Davidson moves his narrative along to include dog racing, dog fighting, and bare-knuckle brawling. The stakes are always high, the details so sharp and expansive that vivid pictures are created in your head whether you want them there or not. Davidson is not shy about being graphic -- this is cinematic, visceral writing at its finest. You will feel the blood spatter across your face, you will taste the aluminum tang of adrenaline. You will grip this book in your hands white-knuckled and hang on for dear life.
I couldn't put it down. I could have binge read this in a few days, but I was glad life and work got in the way. Because it forced me to slow down. I was able to savour the prose -- let the sentences roll around in my mind and on my reader palate like smooth whiskey and unfiltered cigarettes. I am in love with Nick Cutter, but I will gladly have a torrid affair with Craig Davidson.
badmc's review against another edition
Not interested in wrestling or boy/manhood rivalries, and so not a book for me.
lilliangretsinger's review against another edition
2.0
I am not sure what to make of this book. There is a line in the book something to the effect of "same shit different day." Which is apt considering that the book pretty much ends the way it began.
There were some issues with some of the details of the book that made me wonder. Such as, how does a convicted criminal get across the board weeks after he is released from prison?? That just wouldn't happen. I think the words that best describe this book is gritty, violent and depressing.
Also, who really calls Niagara Falls Cataract City?? What not just call it Niagara Falls, since we all know that is where the book takes place?
There were some issues with some of the details of the book that made me wonder. Such as, how does a convicted criminal get across the board weeks after he is released from prison?? That just wouldn't happen. I think the words that best describe this book is gritty, violent and depressing.
Also, who really calls Niagara Falls Cataract City?? What not just call it Niagara Falls, since we all know that is where the book takes place?
jo_in_bookland's review against another edition
4.0
Craig Davidson, also known for his works of horror under the pen name Nick Cutter, writes a gritty tale that takes place in Niagara Falls. Even though this is not horror, there are still plenty of horrific, nail-biting, tense moments.
The two main characters Owen and Duncan face more than their fare share of obstacles in their lives, as kids and adults, and the ugly side of the city rears its head as their tales unfold.
The story spans about 30 years and includes the 80s when the boys are coming of age. Bonus, as I always enjoy references to that decade in books.
The story is a slow burn for a good part of the book, but the last section was very intense and I had a hard time putting it down.
No matter under which name this author writes, you can be sure I'll be reading it!
The two main characters Owen and Duncan face more than their fare share of obstacles in their lives, as kids and adults, and the ugly side of the city rears its head as their tales unfold.
The story spans about 30 years and includes the 80s when the boys are coming of age. Bonus, as I always enjoy references to that decade in books.
The story is a slow burn for a good part of the book, but the last section was very intense and I had a hard time putting it down.
No matter under which name this author writes, you can be sure I'll be reading it!
lostinagoodread's review against another edition
4.0
This review and others can be found on Cozy Up With A Good Read
I absolutely love being able to feature Canadian books on this blog, and CATARACT CITY is such a strong book and I am glad to see it on the longlist for the Giller because it definitely deserves recognition. This is a story about a strong friendship between two boys that have been through so much together.
I really enjoyed the history of Niagara Falls inserted into this book, there was so much I didn't know about the people that lived there, and I had no idea it was called "Cataract City". It's great when I can learn history in a book like this. This book is told from both Owen and Duncan's perspectives as they are now and as they remember the past and what led to where they are.
I was really intrigued by these two characters, they are both very flawed and that makes their story interesting to follow to see where they take their lives from how they grew up. Owen and Duncan experience something in childhood that bonds their friendship and yet also breaks their friendship when their parents decide that they need time away from each other. Over the years there are things that continually bring these two together even though they are on different paths.
I loved that this book takes readers into a darker part of Niagara Falls with dog-racing, fighting, and smuggling of items. This is a Niagara Falls that I never thought existed and I'm interested to really learn more about this dark side. This is real life and it is scary to know that this existed.
Craig Davidson has brought these characters to life and really shown a beautiful friendship that is able to withstand many issues, they are brothers and help each other out. I loved their interactions with one another as their friendship grows and falls apart, and yet still they come back together. I'm happy to have read this book because it really makes me appreciate the friendships I have in my life and I want to hold onto those.
This is a great book with a lot of emotions running around as these two boys grow to find themselves and what they want to do with their future.
I absolutely love being able to feature Canadian books on this blog, and CATARACT CITY is such a strong book and I am glad to see it on the longlist for the Giller because it definitely deserves recognition. This is a story about a strong friendship between two boys that have been through so much together.
I really enjoyed the history of Niagara Falls inserted into this book, there was so much I didn't know about the people that lived there, and I had no idea it was called "Cataract City". It's great when I can learn history in a book like this. This book is told from both Owen and Duncan's perspectives as they are now and as they remember the past and what led to where they are.
I was really intrigued by these two characters, they are both very flawed and that makes their story interesting to follow to see where they take their lives from how they grew up. Owen and Duncan experience something in childhood that bonds their friendship and yet also breaks their friendship when their parents decide that they need time away from each other. Over the years there are things that continually bring these two together even though they are on different paths.
I loved that this book takes readers into a darker part of Niagara Falls with dog-racing, fighting, and smuggling of items. This is a Niagara Falls that I never thought existed and I'm interested to really learn more about this dark side. This is real life and it is scary to know that this existed.
Craig Davidson has brought these characters to life and really shown a beautiful friendship that is able to withstand many issues, they are brothers and help each other out. I loved their interactions with one another as their friendship grows and falls apart, and yet still they come back together. I'm happy to have read this book because it really makes me appreciate the friendships I have in my life and I want to hold onto those.
This is a great book with a lot of emotions running around as these two boys grow to find themselves and what they want to do with their future.
rachelini's review against another edition
3.0
I found this book so hard to read, but oddly compelling nonetheless. The story of two boys growing up in Niagara Falls, with the depressing reality of what that means for their lives, it was so brutal (the wrestling, the fighting, the dog fighting) I found myself flinching. Good story, though.
jwmcoaching's review against another edition
3.0
I almost didn't finish this. The only reason I kept at is the fact that Davidson uses so many similes (the pages are almost purple with so much showy prose) and it annoyed me so much, that I made up a game where if a page had a simile, I would keep going. Sometimes there were even two or three a page. This kept me going through the slower parts.
The most frustrating thing about Cataract City is that when it works well, it really cooks, but when it doesn't, it's like second rate Richard Russo. No insults intended there because I love Russo; it's just that this becomes pretty reminiscent of his small town renderings of poignancy.
CC is like a roller coaster in terms of its quality. Or it's like an ocean wave. Or... Mr Davidson, can you supply a simile for me here? The point is is that the first fourth is taken up by a tedious flashback, then we have some interesting plot that gets tedious, then more interesting plot that actually stays that way. It's uneven, to say the least.
In addition to his similes, Davidson also has the annoying habit of describing everything in nature down to the last detail, ad nauseam. His prose is so flowery at times that I felt like I needed to start skimming just to keep my interest in the plot going.
I did like how the descriptions of childhood were reminiscent of Stephen King's when he talks about adolescence in his novels. I also admired the fact that such a touching love story between two male friends exists within the pages of what is one of the most gruesomely macho novels I've ever read.
A pretty decent novel that I feel could have been even better.
The most frustrating thing about Cataract City is that when it works well, it really cooks, but when it doesn't, it's like second rate Richard Russo. No insults intended there because I love Russo; it's just that this becomes pretty reminiscent of his small town renderings of poignancy.
CC is like a roller coaster in terms of its quality. Or it's like an ocean wave. Or... Mr Davidson, can you supply a simile for me here? The point is is that the first fourth is taken up by a tedious flashback, then we have some interesting plot that gets tedious, then more interesting plot that actually stays that way. It's uneven, to say the least.
In addition to his similes, Davidson also has the annoying habit of describing everything in nature down to the last detail, ad nauseam. His prose is so flowery at times that I felt like I needed to start skimming just to keep my interest in the plot going.
I did like how the descriptions of childhood were reminiscent of Stephen King's when he talks about adolescence in his novels. I also admired the fact that such a touching love story between two male friends exists within the pages of what is one of the most gruesomely macho novels I've ever read.
A pretty decent novel that I feel could have been even better.
exurbanis's review against another edition
4.0
(Fiction, Contemporary, Suspense, Canadian)
A short-list nominee for Canada’s 2013 Giller Prize, Cataract City is set in Niagara Falls Ontario, where the gorge into the Falls gives the city its nickname.
Owen and Duncan are childhood friends who’ve grown up in Niagara Falls. As adults, the two men end up at opposite ends of the law: Dunc gets in involved in cross-border cigarette smuggling and Owen is a police officer.
Although I’m not really a fan of suspense, this kept my interest throughout, perhaps because I’m personally familiar with the “Cataract City”.
Notable quote: It boiled down to this: it’s a lot harder to love than to hate. Harder to be there for those you love—to see them get older, get sick, be taken from you in sudden awful ways. Hate’s dead simple. You can hate an utter stranger from a thousand miles away. It asks nothing of you. It eats you from the inside but it takes no effort or thought at all. (page 327)
4 stars
A short-list nominee for Canada’s 2013 Giller Prize, Cataract City is set in Niagara Falls Ontario, where the gorge into the Falls gives the city its nickname.
Owen and Duncan are childhood friends who’ve grown up in Niagara Falls. As adults, the two men end up at opposite ends of the law: Dunc gets in involved in cross-border cigarette smuggling and Owen is a police officer.
Although I’m not really a fan of suspense, this kept my interest throughout, perhaps because I’m personally familiar with the “Cataract City”.
Notable quote: It boiled down to this: it’s a lot harder to love than to hate. Harder to be there for those you love—to see them get older, get sick, be taken from you in sudden awful ways. Hate’s dead simple. You can hate an utter stranger from a thousand miles away. It asks nothing of you. It eats you from the inside but it takes no effort or thought at all. (page 327)
4 stars
jasmine6563's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sartzer's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5