Customer Reviews

Three Days As the Crow Flies: A Novel

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1 star:		(2)

 

 

Trying his hand at fiction, Danny Simmons paints a vivid, sexy and extremely hilarious portrait of 1980s New York and its decadent art world. But this isn't a book about art. It's a story of awakening. In three days Crow Shade is transformed from a scrounging Brooklyn coke addict to studnet of the artists. Ways. There's plenty of wine, women and white lines. But the most important thing is that by the end Crow is forces to see himself for who he really is, and more importantly who he wants to be. This is a wonderful novel that I hope reader don't sleep on. I'm about to read it again.

I am writing not to review Danny's just fine first effort, but in response to the comment from "a reader from NY," who says: "The only thing impressive about him is his brother's money. And that is what probably got this supposed work or art published." Not liking the book is one thing. But anyone who has ever seen even a single one of Danny's paintings (some of which are represented in the book, albeit in shades of gray, which do them little justice), could have no doubt that "his brother's money" has nothing to do with why people keep buying them (the person in Charlotte, NC, who bought the painting that appears on the cover did not know who Danny was, let alone to what family he belonged); why some of them reside in places like the United Nations' permanent collection and have been auctioned at Christie's; why his work increases in value or why people flock in droves to his art shows, parties or any of the exhibits of young artists of color that he and his staff curate at either of his New York City galleries-because it's not just about him, you see. Critical analysis and CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM may in fact be necessary to the growth of any artist, but poorly informed and down right nasty personal attacks are the dreck of small minds, over-inflated self-importance and reveal much more about the critic than the criticized. Would "a reader" like to tell Danny what could have been improved upon specifically? I look forward to reading anything "a reader" ever writes (or seeing what he or she paints), for are we not told, "Criticism comes easier than craftsmanship?" Tell us "a reader's" real name and I will be the first one in here with my two cents. (Hope that's not too many "large words" for "a reader.")

There are many inexplicable things going on in this book. Danny Simmons is not a very capable writer, he jumps around into every character's thoughts with reckless abandon. When I was reading this book, I kept wondering why he didn't just stay in one person's head and stay there. On the walks Crow and his cronies take around the East Village, they hop from St.Marks down to 2nd Street and back up to St. Marks without stepping off a curb. They walk down 6th Street which is a crosstown street. The character Candy is refferd to as both Candy and Candace Maria for no particular reason, it seems as if the writer is showing off his inside knowledge of this latina hottie who is his own creation. There is stereotyping galore, East Village types looking down their noses at folks from 'gasp' Westchester and 'yikes' New Jersey while they themselves are from those dreaded places. Crow becomes shaken to the core thinking about when he was in lockup apparently for protesting something or other? OK, on the positive side, the book is a quick and mildly entertaining read about a fun era in NYC history. Danny Simmons is clearly a talented painter,and a truly creative cat.

This book is a waste of time to read. The editor who bought this book wasted the publisher's money. The book went on and on about nothing. More than half way through it, the characters are still stuck on stupid, and haven't accomplished a thing. The editor just wanted to acquire the Simmons name. Don't waste your time folks.

In order to tell a good story, an author has to know how to write. Unfortunately, Danny Simmons does not know how to write. He barely has a story to tell. He has thrown together stereotypical ideas of what urban life is and the people who live it. He uses every pararaph to conceal his insecurities by using large words and poetic phrases that do not pertain to the scene at hand. Talentless, boring, and uninventive- I pray that he does not come out with another one. The only thing impressive about him is his brother's money. And that is what probably got this supposed work or art published.