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kingds's review against another edition
5.0
One of the bleakest books I've ever read, but also (in parts) one of the funniest, and most beautiful. Sort of like a cynical/realist version of "Cannery Row." Nelson Algren seemed to treat this novel as an exercise in generating sympathy for generally unsympathetic characters. Most of the characters are thieves and grifters, with very few redeeming qualities to share between them, but by the end of the novel I was rooting for them all to have a happy ending ().
I wanted to read this book because I live close to the area of Chicago where it's set, and I thought it would be interesting to get a picture of what that part of Chicago was like in the seedy post-war days. It certainly was interesting, even if it didn't make me want to take a time machine back to Division Street in the late forties (little too much squalor for this guy).
Spoiler
They don't, at all.I wanted to read this book because I live close to the area of Chicago where it's set, and I thought it would be interesting to get a picture of what that part of Chicago was like in the seedy post-war days. It certainly was interesting, even if it didn't make me want to take a time machine back to Division Street in the late forties (little too much squalor for this guy).
postalweight's review against another edition
2.0
Pretty good ending, pretty bad book. I don't know. I just never cared what happened to anyone the whole time. The references of everything around me we're pretty neat though (with most of the book taking place on Damen & Division).
greeniezona's review against another edition
4.0
This book has been on my list forever, since the bookslut 100 list, and I finally got around to reading it. As I read it, I was simultaneously aware of both how "great" it was, but also how tired I am of reading books like this. I mean really, both appreciating the book for its grittiness and for its occasional moments of just amazingly evocative narration, while at the same time just completely exhausted slogging through another story of a white man struggling with addiction and poverty in mid-20th century America.
That made it a weird read.
So, the book is great. I mean really, Algren can write. I just need to take a break from this kind of story.
That made it a weird read.
So, the book is great. I mean really, Algren can write. I just need to take a break from this kind of story.
xanderlaser's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful elegy to the down-and-out. Algren's work lies somewhere on the spectrum between Ashcan naturalism of the early 1900s and the hyperrealism of the 1980. His ability to lend dimension and patronizing-free empathy to the hustlers and con artists of West Side Chicago, while inverting cops from would-be saviors into wretched guilt-ridden philosophers, makes this book a forerunner to works as diverse in genre as the literary nonficiton "In Cold Blood", the songs of Lou Reed & The Velvet Underground, and the television drama "The Wire". Most of all, beyond the linguistic talents, this book is just a damn good story, complete with plot twists, hooks and humor. Algren blends midwestern simplicity and sensible storytelling with big city majesty and ambition. The book roars with the audacity of the "El" train looping dirty skyscrapers and illuminated dive bars indiscriminately. This is a true Chicago work through and through.
schmoterp's review against another edition
5.0
Frankie Majcinek has a 35 pound monkey on his back and its name is Morphine. While I was reading, it was tempting to view this novel as a discussion on addiction and low living, but the more I read, the most I thought we all have some monkey on our backs. Maybe it's not Morphine and maybe its not 40 pounds, but there is a lesson in the story of Frankie, the "Machine".
I couldn't help but think that Frankie reminded me of Eddie Dean from Stephen King's Gunslinger series.
At any rate, as much as Frankie is responsible for his own decisions, he was driven to his addiciton by the depression of his wife - something that is hardly dealt with honestly throughout the book. It's not to say that its her fault either...I can't imagine being married to someone who is in and out of jail not to mention causing an accident that lead to bum legs. Nevertheless, Zosh was complicit in Frankie's self-destruction as she was central to his anxiety. Her selfishness and constant dependency on him was the heavier monkey on Frankie's back than ever the morphine.
The book almost felt like a film noir. Urban setting with shady characters always talking big. It was dark and Algren's writing just enveloped the reader in this state of despair. Everything was dramatic, inevitable, and slow. As sure as a runaway train and the impending chaos. But it wasn't like you were watching the train wreck and just couldn't turn away. No, the reader is on that train and can sense the doom approaching but has nothing he can do except just wait to see what unfolds.
Other reviews have spoken that TMWTGA has a theme of hope associated with it - but I couldn't disagree more. The monkey is on us all and we either tame that beast or he'll pound our backs to oblivion. Frankie couldn't deal with it, but neither could anyone else in the story. Sophia couldn't help herself and drove everyone who was willing to help her away: she went insane. Sparrow, the loyal sidekick, couldn't hold himself together when his friend needed him the most: he's in the pokie. Louie probably couldn't control his own urge to sell morphine which eventually got him killed - even if not deliberately. Even the captain seemed to be dealing with his own issues about have to deal with criminals and feeling he's betraying his fellow man.
Going over what I've written so far....perhaps I don't quite have a coherent thought on the book. But I was captivated by it. The story, its style, it's mid-century Chicago vibe - it was a great book and I think I might want to reread it one day.
I couldn't help but think that Frankie reminded me of Eddie Dean from Stephen King's Gunslinger series.
At any rate, as much as Frankie is responsible for his own decisions, he was driven to his addiciton by the depression of his wife - something that is hardly dealt with honestly throughout the book. It's not to say that its her fault either...I can't imagine being married to someone who is in and out of jail not to mention causing an accident that lead to bum legs. Nevertheless, Zosh was complicit in Frankie's self-destruction as she was central to his anxiety. Her selfishness and constant dependency on him was the heavier monkey on Frankie's back than ever the morphine.
The book almost felt like a film noir. Urban setting with shady characters always talking big. It was dark and Algren's writing just enveloped the reader in this state of despair. Everything was dramatic, inevitable, and slow. As sure as a runaway train and the impending chaos. But it wasn't like you were watching the train wreck and just couldn't turn away. No, the reader is on that train and can sense the doom approaching but has nothing he can do except just wait to see what unfolds.
Other reviews have spoken that TMWTGA has a theme of hope associated with it - but I couldn't disagree more. The monkey is on us all and we either tame that beast or he'll pound our backs to oblivion. Frankie couldn't deal with it, but neither could anyone else in the story. Sophia couldn't help herself and drove everyone who was willing to help her away: she went insane. Sparrow, the loyal sidekick, couldn't hold himself together when his friend needed him the most: he's in the pokie. Louie probably couldn't control his own urge to sell morphine which eventually got him killed - even if not deliberately. Even the captain seemed to be dealing with his own issues about have to deal with criminals and feeling he's betraying his fellow man.
Going over what I've written so far....perhaps I don't quite have a coherent thought on the book. But I was captivated by it. The story, its style, it's mid-century Chicago vibe - it was a great book and I think I might want to reread it one day.
dianem18's review against another edition
4.0
It’s hard to enjoy a book like this but the writing was excellent and i was emotionally invested in the story. Algren did a great job of portraying what life was like for the poor and destitute in Chicago after the war and Frankie broke my heart as all those who are addicted and suffering through the effects of serving their country do.
On a side note, I also found it very sad that Nelson Algren didn’t make a penny off the horrible movie they made based on this book (seems like they butchered his story) when this was probably his greatest novel.
On a side note, I also found it very sad that Nelson Algren didn’t make a penny off the horrible movie they made based on this book (seems like they butchered his story) when this was probably his greatest novel.
raquelstecher's review against another edition
4.0
Heartbreaking and raw. Different plot from the film. The language is beautiful. Highly recommended.
jonathantoews19's review against another edition
5.0
This book is like a Springsteen song if you replaced "New Jersey" with "Chicago's Northwest Side" and replaced "Happiness" with "Eternal heroin-soaked sadness with no hope of redemption."