Customer Reviews

Pelikan

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I seem to be in the minority here, not being a relative of David Lozell Martin's. For the record, I am sceptical of writers whose review pages are salted liberally with glowing reviews written by relatives, their publishers and/or a huge number of reviews written by "A Reader" (these are often written by the author himself, in the hope of bolstering sales or acceptance. I don't necessarily think that is the case here (since the positive reviews are so...oddly...written), but I thought I would let you know where I was coming from, since two of the reviews here were written by Martin's sister and niece.

Now, on with the real review.

"Pelikan" is a novel about a man named Charlie Curtis who has been poisoned by his own lack of ambition, which he blames on a betrayal by his uncle. No, wait. "Pelikan" is a novel about James Joseph Pelikan, an evil, violent pimp and junkie who sleeps with his nephew's girlfriend, breaks his nephew's finger and ties birds to a christmas tree and refuses to allow anyone to help them as they flutter madly, trying to escape, breaking wings and legs. Um, wait. "Pelikan" is a novel about James Joseph Pelikan, the self-styled "King of the French Quarter", who takes the wounded under his wing, rights wrongs and settles disputes, undertakes a dangerous mission on behalf of a distant religious order, and physically washes and purifies an old bum as Christ might have done, all without thought of his own reward. Um, no. It's about clowns. I mean, nuns who plan a heist.

Aw, hell. It's about all these things, but really it's about a ragged old gal called the vieux carre who has seen better days, but still paints herself up for the tourists and makes a go of it.

This is the first novel I have read by David Lozell Martin and I confess to being confounded and amazed. His prose seems effortless, oddly beautiful, even when describing horrible realities like death, homelessness, betrayal and cruelty. Perhaps his most amazing feat is his description of Hurricane Emily as almost human, flinging herself across hundreds of miles to die in the arms of the French Quarter, like a tragic lover. I was spellbound through the entire novel, but the last hundred pages kept me rooted to my chair, turning pages automatically.

This is also a novel of comic madness, reminiscent of Carl Hiassen's Floridian cycle, easily as insane as Toole's "Confederacy of Dunces". I laughed at least every other page, and I am not someone who laughs out loud at books.

The city of New Orleans, specifically the French Quarter, makes a grand showing here; Martin describes her in brutally honest terms that may frighten those who have never visited or cause those of us who love her wince. But it is obvious that Martin, too, is in love with her, just not too blind to see her as she truly is.

The "Felony Theft" of the subtitle seems thrown in almost as an afterthought - the book would have been just as good without it.

I wish I could give this book higher marks, but "Five Stars" is all they'll allow. Pity.

This is such an amazingly original story and collection of characters. This story is not for the politically correct audience. THANK GOD! It's great to have someone tell a story the way they think it should be told, not trying to match the bland writing that is so readily available these days. If you want a story that is different from ANYTHING you've ever read, try David Martin. You won't be disappointed. You can't be!

David L. Martin is the best!
After reading 7 out of 9 of his novels, Pelikan turns out to be my fav. Not only my fav, but probably the best book I've ever read. Don't read this if you are offended by clowns, hookers, fish hooks, and hair. HA The book should be made into a movie. It has all the characteristics that you expect out of a book. Drama, suspense, and humor. Oh my gosh, I think I laughed out loud in every chapter. My favorite funny part comes with Gallier in the limo with the pirate and the girl who thinks he is a movie producer. Please join the Lozell club, he is a diverse writer.... horror (Bring Me Children and Cul-de-Sac) and great literary novels (The Beginning of Sorrows, Crying Heart Tattoo) and Pelikan... THE BEST !

Despite the fact that I do know a certified "Yat Bozophobic" - that's a native of the Crescent City with a fear of clowns - "Nasty people," she says seriously, "always playing with string. They have lists in their pockets," this is not a reality novel about New Orleans, crime, or even fear of clowns. Do not come here looking for tightly plotted James Lee Burke narration, nor for a picture of the French Quatta. Yea, there are some scenes of excess and depravity, especially in one of those fringe Esplanade bars, but in this loosely plotted string of sophomoric vamps the picaresque hero(s) never develop the requisite charm to carry a reader along in a forgiving mood. I never held much truck with relics, but think there is little true wit in mocking those who find some solace there. Further,I do not find nuns exceedingly funny per se, there's only so much humor in oral sex, and "merkin" jokes are passe in our world of shaving, piercing, and tatooing regularly displayed in popular men's mags. Still, some of the clown humor has a punch, the fat and thin Elvises (Elvii?) are fun, and oh well , there's some sophomore in us all. I'll give it a three star.

Just when you thought David Martin had exhausted every literary trick, he does it again. Far less gory than some of his previous--but far more imaginative--PELIKAN is a must-read for Martin fans of which there are many. (Too bad his books aren't better-promoted.)

To those of you who have never been to NOLA and know the cityonly by its popular image as a once-a-year haven for the drunk andtopless, this is the book to read for a fit and proper introduction. Martin's PELIKAN takes you to the back alleys and dark side streets that give New Orleans its full-bodied flavor and true character. And as a bonus, wrapped in this accurate description of the city known as the nation's anus (the explanation is in the book) there's a gripping heist story. Read this book!

I suspect James Joseph Pelikan is a literarty creation, but I hope he exists. A man who cleans the vilest of homeless men and scrubs the streets of a dirty city on his hands and knees speaks volumes about Man's Kindness to his Fellow Man. What a character Martin has created! I hope several books in the "Pelikan" seriers are soon to follow.

Martin's latest novel took me on a thrilling journey through New Orleans, where I met nuns, clowns, hookers, and merkins (look it up). I never knew what was going to be around the corner and I couldn't stop reading to find out. Pelikan is truly an incredible book and I highly recommend it.

a novel unlike any othet. Off color with suprising twists. Not for the faint of heart

This guy David Martin has long been one of my favorite authors. The only problem is his novels are few and far between. But, I can always count on him for one hell of a wild ride. I highly recommend all of his thrillers: "Lie to Me", "Tap,Tap", "Cul-De-Sac", and "Bring Me Children" (warning: they are not for the squeamish, however). Then along comes this even wilder ride! It is not as brutal as the previously mentioned novels, but what it lacks in violence, it makes up for with unrestrained bravado. This baby is Martin writing on all cylinders!

How do I describe this novel?...Um...: The name of chapter 32 is: A Pelikan, A Clown, A Hooker and Five Nuns. There is a feminist lesbian who believes oral sex is the ultimate form of male opression while a hooker explains all of it's finer points to a group of nuns (and teaches a class on it for married women because it will keep there husbands from straying). A hurricane is a main character in the story and a particularly likeable one. It taught me about hatred towards clowns, and that I hate them too....The truth is, I can't explain this novel. Just read it! You will have a blast!