Customer Reviews

The Assassins

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Exellent book on the generational conflict of the hippie-era. It's a story about the coldblooded killing of a hippie, a murder that confronts both sides of the community in an army-base-city in New Mexico: The so-called free-minded, well-drugged hippies opposing everything the old system has to offer, and the cynical conservative army-people. It's a hillarious, yet serious, story that perfectly describes the absurdities of an american period, the generational conflict - and, most of all, the very loss of true human feeling in a time full of systems and ideologies. If you like Heller and Vonnegut, read this book, if you don't, read it anyway....

While I was around during the "hippie" era I was not a part of the genre. I do remember the constant friction between the war protestors and the military or establishment folks. The characters are very believable and generally react as you would expect. I guess the disturbing part of the story is how everyone expected the eventual trial decision. Even more how Sergeant Morales wanted the reward for the almost staged attack on himself. The story got me thinking a lot about the early 70s. I suppose being a young adult at the time gave me more appreciation for the twists and turns developed by Mr. Kazan.

It begins with a murder, but it does not end there. The Assassins is the dramatic story of two murders, but it is more - much more. It is the story of a murderous way of life that threatens us all. It is an unforgettable reading experience. The Pittsburg Press calls it a suspenseful taught novel that seers the emotions. The Saturday Review says "A powerful and disturbing novel with personality".

I thought there was going to more action with this book based on the title. That was not the case; there is more of an overall story that takes the full length of the book to develop. The story is put together very well and the characters are great. It just did not move fast enough for me. If you like the pace and style of his movies, then you will like this book.

It's difficult to express just how bad this book is. I knew it was bad on page 5 when the author describes a character as "finding the brown marks on everyone's underwears". Then, on page 8, the author places saguaro cactuses in northern New Mexico. And then it only gets worse.