Scarface: The Beginning (v. 1) [Paperback]

L. A. Banks (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 30, 2006

In the politically charged years of the early 1980s many immigrants escaped a nightmarish existence under Castro's rule and fled Cuba for America. One immigrant would cut a bloody path of destruction across the Florida landscape in a rampage fueled by drugs, rage and paranoia. In a dark vision of the American Dream gone wrong, Oliver Stone and Brian De Palma created a classic character in Tony Montana in their re-envisioning of the mobster tale Scarface. But Tony Montana's story didn't begin there. In these two new novels from DH Press we will take you inside the life of Montana, going back to the years before his arrival in America to see what events shaped him into the man he became and what dire choices set him on the course of madness that would lead to a carnage-filled conclusion in the streets of Miami. But Tony Montana's story didn't begin there.

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Dark Horse; 1st DH Press Ed edition (May 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595820175
• ISBN-13: 978-1595820174
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #407,062 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Me, I'm a bit out there, I guess you can tell by the books:) I like keeping some things close to the vest--my favorite things to do among them... guess it's that whole mysterious author groove, LOL... but I like the good guys to win in the end.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Fun Read Just Don't Take It Too Seriously, June 26, 2011

By 

Frank Francis III - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Scarface: The Beginning (v. 1) (Paperback)

Scarface is one of my favorite movies ever. I picked up this book for about $1. I guess I got my money's worth.

Overall, I enjoyed it. If they made it into a movie (which wouldn't surprise me given Hollywood's reputation for remakes and unnecessary sequels/prequels), it would probably be mediocre.

If you're a die hard fan of Scarface the movie or Tony and Manny, then pick this book up. Just try to get it around the same price I did...who knows...you may even buy it from me!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars One of the worst books ever, August 3, 2009

By 

D. Morrison - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Scarface: The Beginning (v. 1) (Paperback)

The film Scarface comes across as a serious drama with the exception of the over the top ending. I was hoping when I bought this book, it would be the same and the violence would be like the chainsaw scene or the hit in the club. Unfortunately Banks decided to try to make it all like the last five minutes of the film and fails to have even the slightest bit of congruity with the film. It starts with a deal going bad in a hotel room just like in the movie. However rather than have a rational explanation for how Tony and Manny escape, they just kill four guys doing stuff like ducking while their opponents idiotically shoot each other.
The action doesn't get any different, Tony and Manny even manage to wipe out the entire male population of a town by themselves. There is a brief love story where Tony manages to seduce a hooker into falling in love with him by buying her two drinks (the sex scene which follows is even worse). Banks decided that rather than follow the movie, where Tony has the scar since he was a kid, for him to get it in prison. But perhaps the worst part of the book is at the end of it he's a made man in the Cuban mob with several hundred thousand dollars, but the connections and money are none existent in the movie.
If you liked the movie, then you'll hate the book. If you didn't like the movie, you'll hate the book. My advice is to stay away from it, the reviews giving it five stars must be friends of the author.
Edit: I also want to add that there was supposed to be a volume 2 of the beginning, the fact that it was never released (or possibly never written) says a lot about how terrible this book is.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who would have known!, July 17, 2007

By 

T. Hamilton (Jax, Florida) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Scarface: The Beginning (v. 1) (Paperback)

L.A. Banks, could be the only author to even attempt this book and succeed. I couldn't put it down and have passed it on to my close friends and family. L. A. is famous for her Vampire Huntress Legend books. Read them if you haven't. I have always thought she was a brillant writer, but this just proves it. This should truly be made into a movie, right along with the VHL series. Why not, hollyweird waste money on making flops every year. Why not give the people what they want from this brilliant talented lady with the golden pen. Stay in the light, peace! Oh you can pre-order the next installment she is writing about Tony Montana. GET IT!!!!!