Beat the Reaper: A Novel
by Josh Bazell
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Book Reviews of Beat the Reaper: A Novel
Book Review: Explosive Debut That Could Be A Movie Soon
Summary: 5 Stars
Josh Bazell blasts into the thriller genre with a mob story narrated by a physician. Yes, a physician, who has more than a shady past. Raised by his grandparents, Pietro Brwna, is befriended by a mobster's son and then his family, the Locanos. They initiate him by sending him out to murder his grandparents' killers in cold blood. He is a big kid with great physical and amoral strength. Dr. Brwna thrusts us into the Mafia's ambitions, a seedy hospital replete with incompetent doctors and all out graphic violence.
Bazell writes an original story (screenplay) by combining unbridled passion for a young woman, bloody killing, and medical knowledge with terminology the reader can understand. Since Bazell is a doctor, he realistically and cleverly uses his medical expertise to wreck havoc on Pietro's enemies and save a few misdiagnosed patients. Pietro becomes a brillant doctor who can fight like Superman. His colorful past is an enigma and we learn about it steadily throughout the book.
I have never read a book which was so blatant when describing murder and the practice of medicine together - each field is wrought with egotists and dummies. It is so real, I wonder how Bazell knows how the mob works. A great read, give it a try.
Book Review: Who would love this book?
Summary: 5 Stars
Me. And You. You will love this book.
No spoilers here!!! Just know that this is a very fresh urban thriller. Any other description about the plot or character will take some of the fun away, I will just try to tell you why it rocks...
The protagonist is complex, both hero and anti-hero, tragic, human, strong, resourceful, intelligent, and non conforming. The reader is incredibly interested to be filled in on his story, which happens quite cleanly and inventively throughout the dual supercharged plotlines. The entire book has style and an energy which will literally tear you through it; it has funny moments, but will make you wince a lot, and you may learn a few things you wish you didn't know by the time it is halfway through.
Writers, take note: you must read this book. It is Bazell's 'debut'. Holy cow. At least half of you (yes, especially those who are published) should put your pens down for good and make way for writers like this. The rest are encouraged to improve. No sign of formula, absolutely no rough spots, very inventive plotline, well researched, not preachy, unique, totally approachable, fresh, and just plain kicks you in the pants. It is a 'WOW' book.
Book Review: Good
Summary: 3 Stars
It was entertaining but I could have done without the vulgarity and bad language especially at the beginning. The basic story is that of Peter Brown who is in the witness program after having committed certain crimes in his previous life. In his new incarnation, he is a doctor and works at one of the worst hospitals in Manhattan, New York. In the first scene he is mugged while watching a rat and pigeon engaged in a tug of war(yes crazy stuff like that happens in this book). He disarms the mugger quite violently and goes off for his rounds in the hospital. Unfortunately for him when he gets into the hospital, he meets someone who causes his old and new lives to collide. He spends the rest of the novel trying to stay alive while educating the reader as to his old self. His tales will make you laugh out loud but also make you cringe. The main character is definitely not anyone's hero and is really guilty of all he is accused. He keeps company with bad people and does bad things(at least in his old life). The book is funny, quirky and definitely different from much of what I usually read. I felt that some parts of it dragged and some of the writing was less than elegant but all in all in it was well done. 3.5 out of 5.Book Review: Might as well watch the movie...when it comes out
Summary: 3 Stars
Let me start with a disclaimer that I am not usually into Quentin Tarrantino films and books of that sort, so that may have colored my poor opinion of this book. I do, however, love a good mystery as well as medical drama, so after hearing rave reviews, I decided to pick this one up...
...only to be disappointed. I have a mouth as dirty as the next guy, but I honestly found the nasty language--not to mention the copious sex and violence--a bit gratuitous. The main character, Peter Brown (Pietro Brwna) was pretty self-involved and unlikeable. I simply could not connect with him.
However: if my heart was pounding in certain scenes, and I was literally on the verge of vomiting from the gore, it must have been pretty well written, in the larger-than-life sense. In short, I can clearly see why some people enjoyed this book, but it wasn't my cup of tea.
Also, I loved the footnotes; I think side commentary like that leant itself very well to this humorous novel. For those who have a tough time actually picking up a book instead of flipping on the TV (my brother, for instance) this would be a great happy medium.
Book Review: style is substance
Summary: 5 Stars
I love this book. It has tremendous energy right from the first page, and it doesn't let up pretty much the whole way through. It's fast and smart, and I never felt that the author was talking down to me -- he expected me to keep up, and nothing is throw-away, not even the funny footnotes (that are much more than footnotes in the end...). I'm not sure I'd recommend it for my wife, who likes her thrillers a little more civilized. The ending is over-the-top and not for the squeamish. Then again, it's so consistently outrageous and enjoyable that I want her to read it just so I can talk to her about it! It's that kind of book. I can't really think of anything I've read that's like it. Patsy Cornwell? This is way more fun. Tarantino, sure. And "House," maybe. But nothing on the page.
Still, I'd prefer to give it 4 1/2 out of 5 stars, because it isn't perfect; there are some spots that seem a little less polished, some things that are maybe too hard to follow. It's not always smooth. But those are quibbles, because overall, this is the coolest, smartest, most exciting book I've read in YEARS. It's a rush.