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A review by frasersimons
The Cartel by Don Winslow
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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
3.5
This benefited a lot from my having read book one quite a bit ago, because in many ways it’s more of the same. While before we see the rise and fall of the MC and the main antagonist, from friends to enemies and more, this lacks that more solid macro plot arc. Yet it has more complex cyclical, vignette style micro plot beat structure. So much happens in each chapter, each one could be the entire season of a TV show. Sometimes introducing and catching up a new character to where the narrative is, other times spending time with them before moving around in its epic scope.
Thematically, this is where the book is weakest because, as with the first, every character is on trial and shown cause and effect, painting a picture where Everyone is The Cartel, from the U.S to Mexico, from those who remain silent, to those that are creating the demand for the product. Governments, officials, dealers, enforcers, workers. No one is just, or moral, and why the war on drugs is so complicated is well illustrated.
Mostly, though, the enjoyment from this comes from the dramatic and complex plotting, so it doesn’t surprise me it’s polarizing. It’s also extremely brutal, just like the first. If you liked the first one, you should know what you signed up for. Ordinarily I don’t like gangster-type crime narratives but both of these did have me fairly riveted. I’ll probably finish out the trilogy.
Thematically, this is where the book is weakest because, as with the first, every character is on trial and shown cause and effect, painting a picture where Everyone is The Cartel, from the U.S to Mexico, from those who remain silent, to those that are creating the demand for the product. Governments, officials, dealers, enforcers, workers. No one is just, or moral, and why the war on drugs is so complicated is well illustrated.
Mostly, though, the enjoyment from this comes from the dramatic and complex plotting, so it doesn’t surprise me it’s polarizing. It’s also extremely brutal, just like the first. If you liked the first one, you should know what you signed up for. Ordinarily I don’t like gangster-type crime narratives but both of these did have me fairly riveted. I’ll probably finish out the trilogy.