Friday, July 14, 2017

THE FORCE by Don Winslow

This is the the type of great book you don't see everyday; that you might go all year without reading. A book where you simultaneous want to see what the hell happens on the next page but also want to slow down your reading because you don't want it to end. A book that on one hand is crazily entertaining but also makes you hit Google and read articles to learn more about its timely issues.
Hell isn't having no choice. It's having to make a choice between horrific things.
At the risk of this sounding like hyperbole, Don Winslow takes a crooked cop story that's a combination of The Shield and The Wire (yes, it's just as amazing as that sounds), and crafts: 

1) One of the best books I've read this year

2) What might have to be considered the Best Cop Novel, perhaps ever.

3) The best Richard Price novel Richard Price never wrote.

This is the third book by Don Winslow that I've given an A grade to. The guy really does have a talent for slinging stories that are both heavily engaging with a lasting effect and also very researched and informative. A great storyteller that should have the same success as the most popular authors. One of the things that really impressed me was how awesome Winslow's attention to detail is and how EVERY SINGLE THING matters by the end. Everything character, every idea, even every setting connects in important ways and it always excites me to see an author so dedicated to making that happen. 
You tell yourself what you gotta tell yourself to do what you gotta do. And sometimes you even fuckin' believe it.
The story of Manhattan Task Force Detective Denny Malone is the epic tragedy of a crooked city cop at the top of his game slowly losing his grip on his kingdom. Throughout the novel, it's mesmerizing to witness him struggle to keep control and to get his head out from under the slowly rising waters of corruption, lies, dirty deeds and violence created by both he and the system he's a part of. 
All cats are gray in the dark.
Trust me, this will be seen as one of THE books of the year.

GRADE: A

3 comments:

  1. I enjoyed this book, too, but one thing I noticed was its similarities to the movie Prince of the City and previous same titled book about Robert Leuci by Robert Daley.

    But then, when finishing the book and reading interviews by Don Winslow, imagine my surprise when he revealed he knew Robert Leuci well.

    Have you read books by George Pelecanos? To me, he's the type of writer that creates such emotional impact when it comes to his stories and characters and causes the reader to feel an investment into his writing.

    Best wishes...

    Eric

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  2. Yep, there are similarities to a lot of things, like The Shield and The Wire like I mentioned, and Prince of the City. But Winslow pulls it off with real pizazz.

    Pelecanos is one of my favorite writers! I've read everything he's published so far, save his short story in that Highway Kind anthology. I've reviewed a few of his books here. Glad to see another fan!

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  3. Thanks for the recommendation. I'll check it out.

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