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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
West'ern'lake Comic Caper,
By
This review is from: Gangway (Hardcover)
Gangway! is often referred to as Westlake's Western novel. Although set in that time period and definitely containing wagon action it isn't your stereotypical gunslinger coming to town or sheriff cleaning up an outlaw post, or cowboys riding horses type of Western story. In fact the two authors on the book jacket sleeve, refer to it as the world's first comedy romance suspense pirate western adventure novel. What Gangway! is, is another Westlake comic caper and the unique Western era setting adds its own enjoyability to the comic caper norm. Brian Garfield also co wrote this, I've never read anything else of his so can't really pick exactly where his style is influencing this story but in between the caper scenes of Gangway!, which are in your typical Westlake style there is an historical feel to Gangway! that Westlake doesn't normally bring to his novels. Sort of similar writing style to James Pattinson, (Pattinson not Patterson) or someone like that. So that's where I'm guessing Garfield came into the makeup of Gangway! The co-authored result is without doubt, a sensational novel!
In Gangway! Gabe Beauchamps was a shake down man in New York, a city he loves more than anything. After shaking down the relative of a powerful mob player, Gabe is given a one way train ticket to San Francisco and told he will be watched to make sure he arrives. First problem is the train doesn't go all the way to San Francisco so Gabe has to make some of the journey by ship. He hates ships and spends the majority of his voyage puking up his guts. One good thing about the voyage is that he learns of the existence of the San Francisco mint. Another good thing is a failed pick pocket attempt by a beautiful blond woman, who intrigued by the fact Gabe isn't like the typical West coast male decides to help him out and hang out with him. When he informs her after spending a few days in San Francisco, a place he hates more than anything, that he plans on robbing the mint so he will have enough money to return to New York and have his vengeance she (named Vangie by the way) humours him, not believing it possible or that he would attempt it. Gabe however has the ultimate plan, that will involve her and a few other eccentric characters from San Francisco including a 35 year old man who seems to be a good luck charm as those who try to harm him end up coming to harm themselves during the attempt, a drunk reluctant ship captain and others. Oh and you'll also learn how surfing was invented during the robbery. This is a great read and well worth tracking down. Gangway! is a brilliant book! If you haven't already done so also check out Westlake's other comic capers. The best four comic capers at an absolute masterpiece level are, Smoke, The Spy in the Ointment and a New York Dance (also published as Dancing Aztecs) and Cops and Robbers. Other great comic capers worth checking out too are The Busy Body, God Save the Mark, Who Stole Sassi Manoon?, Help I am Being Held Prisoner, Castle in the Air, Enough and High Adventure to name but a few. Of course you also have to check out Westlake's greatest ever masterpiece The Ax along with his Parker series (a character who Gabe from Gangway! sort of reminded me of) under Westlake's pen name Richard Stark as well!
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