Customer Reviews

Suicide Casanova

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Publisher's Weekly states that the author of this novel has a "cult following." I've never read a Nersesian novel before, and I'm definitely not of the cult follower element, but I thought this was a great novel. I nearly didn't buy the book because of the unfortunate way the publisher opted to cover the book. But, believe me, it's worth a closer examination. This is not a genre novel. It is beyond the psychosexual thriller label it was given. This it literature. This is a carefully written, closely observed, character study that pulled me in from the first page, through the finely wrought time shifts, and on to the satisfyingly redeeming end page. I will certainly read more by this author, and if that makes me a cult follower, sign me up. Congratulations on your creation of a great piece of literature, Mr. Nersesian.

This was the first arthur nersesian book i have ever read, and i was pleasantly suprised by the experience of reading this wonderful novel. It really puts you deep into the mind of Leslie Cauldwell, the proprietor of this book, and really makes you feel what he is feeling emotionally. Nersesian has a unique writing style all of his own, and really wrote this book well. I read this in two sittings, as it is very hard to put down once you get into it, i reccomend this book to everyone who is looking for something different with guts.

Honestly, this book pairs well with the song, "Volvo Driving Soccer Mom". And its amazing that while I was reading this book, that song hit the radio. Its a story about a man's journey after the bizzare, accidental death of his wife in which he strangles her during an S&M session. He now has alot of free time and just sits around and thinks about his past. One major aspect of his past being the relationship he had with a former porn star. Its a very sad, sick book. But its an amazing ride. I loved every page of it.

Um this is a wicked book. Wicked in many senses of the word. A noir-ish deviant look into a taboo side of civilization digresses into uncivilized action, playing on multiple emotions and sensitivities. The dichotomy of two stool legs leading to the third one breaking in an unforgettable pulp of circumstance. Hemorrhaging psychodrama all over your clean mind, this book is captivating to say the least.

Don't waste your money

Yes the hardcover is a novelty - it's a VHS style tape box--but that makes the actual text impossible to read. I special ordered this book hardcover only to find that it was nearly impossible to open, hold and read the book so in order to obtain the inevitable let down that is the story I had to order a paperback copy. Save time and money, just buy the paper back edition.

I recommend getting the hardcover version just because it looks like a vintage vhs porno.lol HOWEVER, I think this book was really awesome, Lesley stalks Sky (porn star) and then the roles flip and it becomes the other way around, this is the worst review ever but just buy it! lol

Nersesian is the best. The literary value in all his writing is that he makes of New York a living, hilarious and often dangerous character. Porn, drugs and an occasional unfortunate death make Suicide Casanova a wild joyride from the 70's to the 90's. Anyone who's not afraid of the darker side of human nature will get into this book. Breaking formula, Nersesian's approach to story telling [not to mention the packaging] makes this novel a collector's item.

All you have to do is read the first line of Suicide Casanova [or for that matter, any of Nersesian?s books] and you are immediately swept into a twisted world of sex, porn, drugs, eroticism and true love riding on the edge. Nersesian is one of the few modern authors whose words jump off the page and catapult you into a whole new place. The read is great, the packaging rocks.

I've read a couple of other books by Arthur Nersesian and enjoyed them fairly well.They were certainly not great pieces of writing, but they were enjoyable enough, quick, mindless reads that I used to pass some uneventful evenings. This one, though, is the bottom of the barrel, something Nersesian should have either tossed or rewritten a few times. I've always found the endings in his books to be too hurried, not thought out enough. But in this one the whole novel feels that way. In addition, the book has one of the silliest marketing gimmicks I've ever seen. It is glued inside a plastic videocassette package, which makes it really difficult to read as you turn the pages. What were the publishers thinking when they came up with that design? I work in marketing, and it's the sort of ridiculous idea that I saw as an undergraduate, in other first year marketing students. We used to laugh at it then. The publisher surely should have been smart enough to come up with some other design. Send this one back for a rewrite and a repackaging!

This is the first Nersesian book ive ever read and it will probably be the last. Its not that i didnt like, its a great book, but nothing special.The random philosopy was great, i couldnt get enough of hearing him describe the manner of people in ny city.Nersesians portrayal of life in ny was without a doubt fascinating and intriguing. Although the plot was weak and not so great of an ending, yet there was a sense of redemption at the end. However i think this book had some of the most unique characters ever, who wouldnt like a porn star turned soccer mom and a neurotic schizophrenic lawyer? I loved the characters.
I would recommend this novel to anyone, but beware of explicit sex scenes. And dont judge this book as a psychosexual thriller cause its not. the VHS packaging was a great idea too. overall this was a good book.