Customer Reviews

Taking of Pelham One Two Three (Coronet Books)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, although it has a confusing and long title is one of the best books I've ever read. The plot is simple: Four desperate men hijack a subway train and hold sixteen people hostage for $1 million. If they do not have their money by the designated time they will beging to kill hostages. This book reads fast with short sections that describe the thoughts and actions of individual characters. The highly detailed novel points out the flaws of the individuals hijacking the train, and how this is a very desperate but well planned attempt to get money. Tension builds as the hijackers have quarrels amongst themselves, and with the passengers. One may ask, How do they expect to get off of a subway train and get away? Well they do, at least some of them. The ending is kind of a letdown since I found myself cheering the hijackers on in a way, but it still fits the book and the character very nicely. If you are looking for a good hostage/terrorist story, this is the best of the bunch

IMAGINE: You are on a train to work one day, you know, just your usual, typical day. All of a sudden, three men who would not look like terrorsts take over, stop the train, and hold everyone on the train Hostage. If a ridiculous amount of money is not delivered to them in 90 minutes, every minute after that they kill someone. That would suck being on that train, would it?

I didn't even know this was a book until back in May, when the movie was to be released next month. I saw the trailer and it looked quite cool, something worth watching in the theater on A Saturday afternoon. I eventually did see the movie, but before I did I decided I would read the book after seeing it on a shelf in the bookstore.

This is not a bad book. It has an interesting concept behind it, though nothing original- it has been done before. It's your typical terrorist suspense novel, and has a lot of suspense in it. It also provides some good insight into the characters, especially Ryder. He's a cool character, and there seems to be quite a lot going on surrounding him.

Unfortunately this book suffers from being boring in a lot of places. While I like the flashbacks, there seems to be a bit too many of them- and half of them are too long. And the dialogue was ridiculous in places too ("I hope my c--- smells pretty for you"?????). Also, Godey seems to go on and on forever about one thing too. What was with the whole thing about Ryder's past? That was... in a word... unnecessary.

In short, It's not a bad book, and it's worth it for a rainy day crime read.

See how both movie versions compare to the original story-a few surprises here-would have to say that 1974 version is a bit closer.

I picked up this book because of the publicity from the movie. A thriller about 4 men who hijack a New York City subway train for $1 million, it is interesting and exciting. It is a quick read, and the chapters are divided into sections based on different characters' points of views.

I found the formation of the plan and the execution from different lenses interesting, as well as the escape plan. Not all characters have depth and dimension, but is balanced with the character formation of Ryder (the leader of the hijackers) and Longman. The only negative about the book in my opinion is that there were too many characters to keep track of. It took me a few seconds to figure out who was who, who was a hostage and who was DCI.

Overall it was enjoyable, although I think some parts were a bit slow.

This is a great book. It should be put back in print. I bought an original copy from 1973. Make sure to read this book before you see the new movie.

One of the more interesting things while reading this book was how people thought and reacted before terrorism became something we all now live with. The increased security and surveillance we now accept as the norm would have been tossed out as a crazy idea by the characters of the book.

I had read the book many years ago and remembered it as enjoyable and did enjoy reading it again, it is an easy read but not a book you can't put down.

SUSPENSEFUL NOVEL OF THE UNLIKELY HIJACKING OF A SUBWAY TRAIN BY THE ALWAYS ENTERTAINING JOHN GODEY..........THIS DOESNT DIFFER TOO MUCH FROM THE FILM,BUT GETS MORE IN DEPTH WITH THE VILLAINS BACKGROUNDS AND MOTIVATIONS.........AS FARFETCHED AS IT SOUNDS, GODEY WILL HAVE YOU FORGETTING ABOUT THE IMPLAUSIBILITIES.........THE REST OF GODEYS BOOKS WERE NOT NEARLY AS GOOD AS THIS.....[IF YOU SAW THE TERRIBLE''MADE FOR TV ''REMAKE FROM SEVERAL YEARS AGO,FORGET IT, THE BOOK IS A THOUSAND TIMES BETTER].......IF YOU CAN FIND A COPY OF THIS LONG OUT OF PRINT BOOK,BUY IT, YOULL LIKE IT

This was a second reading for me...I first read this book in the late 70's and it has stuck with me all these years as one of my top 10 books. I purchased it again so that I could read it once more before I saw the new movie with John Travolta. It has retained its edge-of-your-seat value!

I'll admit it, I didn't know this was a book.

I figured the recent movie starring Denzel was a remake of an earlier movie - it was, but I didn't know that movie was based on a book. I picked up my copy on the cheap, and loved every page of it.

I wasn't alive in 1973, so I'm not sure how accurately this reflects the subway system, or more specifically, the New York of that time. Reading from the perspective of 2012, the racist or sexist bent of some of the characters is a little hard to take. I hope it wasn't this bad, but it may have been.

Regardless, this is a good book. I've never heard of this author, but I like his style. I'd be surprised if the writer didn't work in the NY Subway System. He really seems to have affection for it, and it's infectious to read about. It's also interesting to compare this story to the updated plot from the newest film, which was updated to fit the present day.

The story really kept me on my toes until the end. Reminds me a little bit of "The Day of the Jackal" in which I found myself rooting for both sides at the same time. And who doesn't love a good heist!?

One of the great books that translated into a great movie (the original, not John Travolta's). Too much racism though. I realize the times of the original writing but still, not everyone was as overtly racist as some of these characters. Nevertheless, Great book! Really, one of the best ALL TIME robberies. PERFECT ending!!!!!