Customer Reviews

The Snake

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

 

 

You'll never think of Central Park the same again......

Through a series of circumstances, an adult black mamba, the deadliest snake in the world, becomes lose in Central Park in New York City.

The resulting suspence is chilling. The plot slithers forward, and then twists and strikes repeatedly -- this could be the definition of "couldn't-put-it-down."

My wife read this for the first time, in one sitting, AFTER our first trip to New York City, and even though we were back home, it still scared her.

I enjoy a good thriller and would have considered this to be one of the better ones except for one thing - I'M TERRIFIED OF SNAKES! That fact alone makes this one of the best and most terrifying novels I have ever read. It's also one of the few that I simply had to read in one sitting. I really wasn't sure that if I put it down I'd be able to pick it up again. It's that good. And if you want to know just how bad the mamba's reputation is, I have a friend who lived for some years in Africa, and he wouldn't even touch the book. Even if you don't mind snakes, this one will get to you.

Excellent book; a quick read. Would have been better if there had been more scenes from the snake's point of view.

The Snake is written in clear, direct, strong prose. The story line is simple and interesting, and engaging,if unbelievable. A deadly snake gets loose in NYC, in Central Park, kills some folks and generally terrorizes the city.

Godey in this novel presents a cynical, negative view of 1970s New York City. This is a place where the people are as dangerous and reptilian, or at least many of them are, as the snake. Central Park is described in great detail as a lovely place that is dangerous to enter because of muggers and other unsavory people hanging out there.

Much of the goings on are exaggerated to an extent that broke the veil of credulity. No characters are developed. They are caricatures. The most interesting and individual chap is killed in the first few pages.

Basically, what you have here is a weak-tea Stephen-King-type novel. King could have done a better job of it.

Having said this, I must add that I found The Snake to be entertaining in a superficial way. I guess I would describe it as a "page turner." If what you want is reliable distraction from the tedium of your life, The Snake will do for a few hours. It's a short book.

I first read this book many years ago. I found it on a bargain book table for a couple of dollars. The novel is interesting and keeps the reader in suspense from the first page to the last. It is one of my favorites and I was glad to find it again.

I really enjoyed this book. I read it as a young adult then I lost the book in traveling and I had hunted for it for a long time before finding it again. I have shared it with several people and they like it as well.

Ordinary monster in the city tale. One of those cheap supermarket 50c books.

Or, why not to flush reptiles into the sewer and that whole myth.