Customer Reviews

Galveston: A Novel

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Galveston is exceptionally well-written, a Southern noir that takes recognizable genre types (the tough, smart mob enforcer and the spirited young woman) and plows deep, deep, deep into their psyches and souls. Roy Cady, the narrator and main character, is pretty much a triumphant creation; he knows that his strengths and his weaknesses are more acute than the typical, assimilated dude, and he is fully aware of the harm he can inflict, but he also seems to hit upon wells of compassion and bravery that are both surprising and completely earned. And his voice is an uncompromising wonder.

One reviewer here calls Galveston a redemption tale, but I think that may be putting too sunny a spin; there is no promise that the possible redemption offered has been worth the costs paid (a tour of the Inferno, with glimpses at Purgatory). It is more a novel about seemingly marginal individuals clawing tooth and nail for their humanity, and the world (and, quite often, their own instincts) fighting them at every step. There's a cinematic clarity, and an irresistibly dark pull, to the narrative, and the language often sings out with the sort of violent, seemingly off-hand vernacular poetry of a Denis Johnson or a Roberto Bolano (minus his post-Beat mannerisms).

Recommended for folks interested in noir novels that not only satisfy your itch for genre strengths like expert plotting and unceasing atmospherics, but that may also exceed your expectations in terms of characterization and depth of feeling.

"Galveston" is a first-rate page-turner, and, thank god, not for any cheap manipulations or torn from the headlines hooks, but for characters I can relate to -- emotionally, at least -- who are yanked relentlessly and often brutally into situations I can not relate to -- physically, at least. (What a concept -- a novel with characterization worthy of a "literary hit" and a plot worthy of the crime genre's masters!) What can be said except that Roy Cady escaped Springsteen's "Nebraska" album; thankfully, he found a home in Nic Pizzolatto's first novel.

Once you've finished, Pizzolatto's craftsmanship truly hits you -- his structure renders any melodramatics moot and lets you focus on the human journey, the human costs on Roy, Rocky, and Tiffany (in other words, he makes sure that you're turning this page-turner's pages for the right reasons); his sense of place and time is annoyingly pinpoint, as my shoulders stung from sunburns I did not have and my feet itched with sand that wasn't between my toes; and his language is a miracle, romantically honest (though this won't be a surprise for fans of his short story collection).

Incredible stuff here. Don't miss out.

The hero reminds me of one of Charlie Huston's heroes, but the quality of the writing takes Galveston to a whole other level. A hard-boiled noir voice leads us through some backwaters of the American South, into the big heart of Texas with its lowering skies... but the descriptions and insights along the way! What fantastic writing... I had borrowed a copy and read it, but i am going to purchase my own hardcover copy to re-read and treasure. And I'm very far from being a wealthy or even well off Middleman. A big talent is among us, and i look forward to reading more from this young author.

Galveston is a strong debut novel reminiscent of Jim Thompson's work (The Killer Inside Me, The Grifters, etc.). If you're a fan of fast-paced, action-packed noir fiction, this may not be for you; but if you like atmospheric fiction filled with dark energy and violence ala Jim Thompson, then I recommend this novel.

Pizzolatto does a wonderful job giving voice to his anti-hero, Roy Cady. At no time in the novel did I feel Pizzolatto's authorial voice. Roy Cady's mental landscape is so true to his region (Gulf Coast) and experience (the product of foster homes, work farms and prison) that you feel you know this man. He is tough and world-weary, but he also has empathy for those who are products of abuse and neglect, of the hard life he has known. He is smart and perceptive about people, and it's his inner voice that provides the greatest entertainment.

As others have noted, the novel is not so much a whodunit as it is a descent into ruin, and you can see this ruin coming a mile away. That does not spoil the story, though, because readers will want to know exactly what transpires and how Roy deals with the inevitable chaos.

Tough, atmospheric, heartbreaking, with a palpable sense of place (the hardscrabble world of Louisiana's and East Texas' Gulf Coast region), it's an impressive work.

Mr. Pizzolatto's first novel showcases his powerful descriptive writing evidenced in his first collection of short stories, Between Here and the Yellow Sea. This atmospheric mystery novel with staccato narrative tells a tale of 2 generational lost souls, both with opportunity to redeem themselves. The primary character, Roy Cady, discovers his potential for a fatherly role, caring for and protecting Rocky, a 20 something prostitute, and her 3 year old sister, Tiffany.
Both Roy and Rocky are dealing with the present and the menacing brutality from which they both escaped, while trying to come to terms with their pasts.
This author's use of language is spellbinding, his credible characters, vibrant and well constructed, his story of intrige, captivating. My highest recommendation goes to this book.

I'm a public library director and read a lot of books; GALVESTON, however, is the first one that has moved me to bother with a comment. I read this in one 4 hr. sitting--simply could not stop until the end.

I picked up Galveston after reading about it in Texas Monthly. I grew up on the Texas Gulf Coast just a short ways from the island, so I knew I had to read this. I figured this guy Nic has to be special to write a book about such a place. Galveston was so much more than I expected. To call it noir or crime fiction is to short-sell this book.

Galveston reveals characters that are real and lovable. Yes, they're criminals, murderers, and whores, but you want so desperately for them to succeed at finding some joy in life. And when they don't, well, it breaks your heart. You'll cry and wish you could read the book over again--for the first time. I wish I'd read the darn thing a little slower.

The characterization is superb. It could have been cliche, but the author misses that mark by a mile. And there's a remarkable sense of place. Maybe I'm biased, and I might be. But he paints a picture of the region that really captures it.

My only wish is that I knew more people who aren't afraid of this kind of novel. It is dark and tragic, incredibly bloody and violent. Noir is, after all, about ugliness and hopelessness. Some folks just don't want to read about that kind of thing, and that's okay. But I think Roy's story is really about hope--that everyone has good inside them. Even the worst.

I am a native Galvestonian and BOI (born on the island). I found this book to be an excellent novel. I enjoyed the local flavor and the landmarks I am familiar with. Even someone who is not from Galveston should still read this book. The story may have been a work of fiction and a product of the author's imagination but I think I may have known some of the characters in the real world.
Paul Ray H
Galveston TX

I think others have said it all; I just want to chime in; just having read Don Winslow's "Savages" and James Lee Burke's "Galss Rainbow." They pale in comparison to this book. I hope that Nic PIzzolato keeps putting stuff out like this. He's at the top of my list!

If you've forgotten why they call it "noir," it's time to read "Galveston," a blistering debut novel from Nic Pizzolotto that will whipsaw your emotions like a trip through a Gulf hurricane to reach the eye - a terrifying mystery edged with clever foreshadowing by way of parallel storylines twenty years apart.

Roy Cady is a 40 year old hit man for a second class New Orleans gangster, a gnarly mountain of a man who conjures the image of "Dog" from "The Bounty Hunter." On the same day he is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, the chain-smoking, hard-drinking Roy is sent out on a new leg breaking mission that he suspects may have some extra twists of its own. It is there that he meets and is soon on the run with Raquel "Rocky" Arceneaux, an 18 year old hooker. Stopping along their flight from New Orleans, Roy and Rocky stop in Texas long enough to pick up Rocky's 3 year old sister. But if you're thinking this is sounding like the stereotyped whore-with-a-heart-of-gold tale where a sassy Julia Roberts-type breaks down the crusty outer layers of the hardened criminal to reach the mushy stuff inside - don't trouble yourself. This is about as sentimental as Cormac McCarthy - as far from feel good puff as doing hard time in Angola. Pizzolotto's cast is chainsaw-hewn from cedar swamp logs - rough and splintery with jagged edges and not much soft parts. He writes of the Gulf's seedy underbelly - of clam shell parking lots and busted beer bottles, broken down motels and the broken people that frequent them. Yet beyond the violence and grit there is a poignant and almost passionate tale - a searing lesson in human wreckage; a reminder that life is not fair and redemption is rare.

Nic Pizzolotto is the real deal - James Lee Burke without the soap box and chip on his shoulder - a wordsmith who creates lofty images from desperate scenes and enough confidence to play easy games with big concepts like nobility, honor, and disgrace. Clearly one of my year's most disturbingly addictive reads - looking forward to seeing what Pizzolotto can do with the encore.