Customer Reviews

King Suckerman

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I don't have much time here, but I just had to chuck down a quick review of this fantastic book. I began this book at the start of an interstate car journey and by the time we had stopped, I had pretty much read most of it. This book rips along from the very first page, with an amazing attention to detail, interesting and believable (in a way) characters, great cross-cutting, and wonderful evocacation of the 70s.

The story has already been cited here already, so I won't recap, but you care for the characters you like and you're in awe or fear of the others. Referencing all kinds of 70s trappings, music, films, Iceberg Slim, muscle cars etc, you feel like you're watching an awesome film and indeed I'd be less than surprised if it was made into one. I only hope it's by the right people, not someone like Sean Puffy Combs, who would probably cast Jennifer Lopez in the role of Virginia.

I only hope Pelecanos' other books are as good as this.

Pelecanos' books are generally set in Washington D.C., and King Suckerman is no exception. The title refers to a movie which is debuting soon in the area theatres, to a lot of street-level buzz.

The characters aren't glamorous, but they're really memorable. Description is one of the author's strong suits, but that doesn't get in the way of an exciting, riveting plot.

Pelecanos' books are my favorites among crime and mystery authors working today; he really captures the sense of Washington D.C. (this book is set during the 1970's), and the characters are true to form.

If you like your fiction hard-boiled, give Pelecanos a try. I wouldn't start with this one. Start with A FIRING OFFENSE.

If you've read some of the earlier ones, like Nick's Trip or A Firing Offense, try the Suckerman.

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'King Suckerman' is by some accounts among George Pelecanos's weaker efforts, and by other accounts his most enjoyable read. Like all his works this book takes place in Washington (, D.C.) and its characters are racially diverse, and into sex, drugs and rock & roll. And unlike many of his books the story starts off with a bang, most literally (ie, a rather graphically described killing). But then the book fails to take advantage of its early promise.

In 'King Suckerman' the author spends a lot of time, arguably too much time, on waltzing through 1970s memory lane. Blaxploitation flicks and the music of the times dominate the book. Yes, there are some nasty dudes in this book, lots of drug dealing, but before long we realize the author isn't going to deliver anything special. George Pelacanos has done much better ('Shame the Devil', 'Right as Rain').

Bottom line: the author seems to be into more of a nostalgia trip rather than writing a crime novel. But for those craving a taste of pre-disco 1970s ambiance this book is "really baaad".

I've read most of Pelecanos' work and, in my opinion, King Suckerman would rank as one of his weaker efforts. It's one of the earlier works and is worth reading for background on some characters who will show up in later books. It's also worth reading because it's a slam bam, gritty crime novel. It may not be one of the author's best books, but it's still one of the best crime novels I've read.

As usual, Washington, D.C. is both the setting for the story and a living character in the book. There are plenty of tough and weak, cunning and stupid players in the twisting story. If you have a pulse and like crime fiction, I don't see how you can skip this book or anything else Pelecanos writes.

I've read about eight of Pelecanos's books (having come to him through my "The Wire" obsession) and this was one of the harder ones to put down. Sure, the story isn't the most believable, but so what? The characters are compelling and Wilton Cooper is one of the baddest bad guys who's ever been put on a page. The writing of the final gundown between Cooper and Marcus Clay flows like water. Highly recommended.

Alright I am a Pelecanos junkie; I've read most of his novels and this one is still my favorite. While D.C. residents may get more out of his books (we can easily recognize the streets he name drops, and understand a bit of the culture) anyone who is a fan of noir writing would dig Pelecanos. He really paints 1976 beautifully; from the style of clothes, the music, and of course the Blaxploitation movie that the novel revolves around. King Suckerman has that right amount of evil, violence, humor, and still uplifts you at the end. If you are a fan of Tarantino type characters/plot you should consider this book; if you are a DC resident, then this book (and the other Pelecanos novels) are mandatory.

A crime novel with a "moral to the story"; Dmitri Karras, a pot-smoking, dope-selling, basketball-playing, fun-loving guy with no goals or direction. His friend is Marcus Clay, a Viet Nam vet trying to get started with a small record business. They cross paths with Wilton Cooper, an ex-con who picks up B.R. Claggett, an anti-social guy who kills without remorse. Wilton and Claggett go on a crime spree, killing several people, including Rasheed, a young clerk that worked for Marcus Clay. There's a final showdown and Dmitri learns that there's always a price to pay. This novel has excellent dialogue and characterizations of the 70's post Viet Nam, post hippie, marijuana days. It teaches that nothing is simple and easy. George Pelecanos' novels are instructive and entertaining and KING SUCKERMAN will not disappoint.

This is the third Pelecanos novel that I've read - starting with 'Shame the Devil' and going backwards via 'The Sweet Forever', and each of them have been enjoyable pageturners. It is remarkable how many areas, places, and occurances that Pelecanos describes mirror my stomping grounds and activities during my ascending years. I'm just glad that I didn't go one more street over to shoot some hoop, or purchase some recreationals from that guy who made me just nervous enough to change my mind - because this guy has me totally believing in a world that was there just inches away from my own. I don't get all the musical references, but Pelecanos feeling that there must always be music present, either real or imagined, is just one more thing that allows me to really identify with his stories and characters. One mistake in 'King Suckerman' - you couldn't license a Superbird or Daytona in D.C., but everything else is right on.

First book I read while searching for an Elmore Lenard book picked it up couldn't stop reading it the characters and the situations make it worthy for video or even T.V. H.B.O. series hope some producers makes his work hit the screen soon.

This is the first Pelecano book I've read. But now I'm hooked. This is absolutely an unputdownable read -- fast-paced, fun, and brimming with real characters.