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colorfulleo92's review
4.0
This was super intense and thrilling detective noir kind of book that never had a dull moment. So intrigued to get to know what was going to happen next and I would definitely read/listen to more by Christopher Chamber's in the future
classic's review
This book is a whole adventure unlike any other I have taken. I think I will forever be baffled at the mind of Dickie… this novel will really take you outside of yourself if ever a novel could.
lordporkchop's review
4.0
Got an early copy elsewhere in exchange for an honest review. Figured I might as well post it here too:
While it took a little time to get into the flow of the narrative style and multilingual dialogue, once it got going, I found Scavenger to be a pretty wild ride. Granted, second person narration isn't for everyone. However, the choice seemed appropriate in that it immediate places the reader on the level of our drug addicted and homeless, but nevertheless gifted protagonist Dickie Cornish.
Are some of the plot points implausible, as suggested by another review featured here? Perhaps. But this is obvious noir, where implausibility is baked in - if the mystery was straightforward, we wouldn't need an army of overlooked to solve it for us. In fact, the plot hinges on this distinction; are we meant to believe the outlandish warnings of those we typically overlook, or the reassurances of the wealthy and powerful who may be pulling strings we cannot see?
If you're willing to give this story a few chapters to introduce its rhythm to you, and maybe google a few key Spanish phrases (assuming you are not already familiar), the ride is worth the investment. Most reminiscent for me of George Pelecanos and Richard Price (and of course The Wire since they both contributed heavily), with some of the underlying rage at the conspiratorial failings of the government and its sanctioned agents, as found in Don Winslow and James Elroy.
While it took a little time to get into the flow of the narrative style and multilingual dialogue, once it got going, I found Scavenger to be a pretty wild ride. Granted, second person narration isn't for everyone. However, the choice seemed appropriate in that it immediate places the reader on the level of our drug addicted and homeless, but nevertheless gifted protagonist Dickie Cornish.
Are some of the plot points implausible, as suggested by another review featured here? Perhaps. But this is obvious noir, where implausibility is baked in - if the mystery was straightforward, we wouldn't need an army of overlooked to solve it for us. In fact, the plot hinges on this distinction; are we meant to believe the outlandish warnings of those we typically overlook, or the reassurances of the wealthy and powerful who may be pulling strings we cannot see?
If you're willing to give this story a few chapters to introduce its rhythm to you, and maybe google a few key Spanish phrases (assuming you are not already familiar), the ride is worth the investment. Most reminiscent for me of George Pelecanos and Richard Price (and of course The Wire since they both contributed heavily), with some of the underlying rage at the conspiratorial failings of the government and its sanctioned agents, as found in Don Winslow and James Elroy.
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