Andrew
Another great comedic caper starring Dortmunder, Kelp, and Murch from "The Hot Rock," and introducing a few new criminal accomplices.
There is a section just before a pivotal piece of the heist is pulled off, that Westlake breaks away from the action and introduces seven new characters, lays out their interpersonal relationships and daily routines, then goes into an extremely detailed play-by-play of their poker game. And I say this with admiration and respect: he is clearly showing off. Westlake works his prose like an expert sleight-of-hand magician. "Look at how easily I can draw you in," he says. "Look at how effortlessly I can hold your attention. Pay no attention to all the action that's going on just outside of your perception." He sets the scene so well that you not only willingly accept the preposterous nature of the heist but come to think of it as inevitable.
My Rating Scale
5 stars - An all-time classic, a book that fundamentally changed or enriched my life. Would recommend to any and all readers.
4 stars - An excellent book that stands out in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would recommend to anyone with even a passing interest in the genre or subject matter.
3 stars - A perfectly serviceable book that may be entertaining or informative but does not push the envelope or linger long in the memory. Would recommend to pre-existing fans of the genre or author.
2 stars - A book that falls short in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would only recommend with reservations or would not recommend at all.
1 star - A book that has nothing to say, or says it so poorly it isn't worth reading. Would not recommend and would actively warn away from.
Another great comedic caper starring Dortmunder, Kelp, and Murch from "The Hot Rock," and introducing a few new criminal accomplices.
There is a section just before a pivotal piece of the heist is pulled off, that Westlake breaks away from the action and introduces seven new characters, lays out their interpersonal relationships and daily routines, then goes into an extremely detailed play-by-play of their poker game. And I say this with admiration and respect: he is clearly showing off. Westlake works his prose like an expert sleight-of-hand magician. "Look at how easily I can draw you in," he says. "Look at how effortlessly I can hold your attention. Pay no attention to all the action that's going on just outside of your perception." He sets the scene so well that you not only willingly accept the preposterous nature of the heist but come to think of it as inevitable.
My Rating Scale
5 stars - An all-time classic, a book that fundamentally changed or enriched my life. Would recommend to any and all readers.
4 stars - An excellent book that stands out in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would recommend to anyone with even a passing interest in the genre or subject matter.
3 stars - A perfectly serviceable book that may be entertaining or informative but does not push the envelope or linger long in the memory. Would recommend to pre-existing fans of the genre or author.
2 stars - A book that falls short in one or more areas of writing style, characterization, making a point, etc. Would only recommend with reservations or would not recommend at all.
1 star - A book that has nothing to say, or says it so poorly it isn't worth reading. Would not recommend and would actively warn away from.