Beat the Reaper: A Novel
by Josh Bazell
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Book Reviews of Beat the Reaper: A Novel
Book Review: Short, Riveting Novel
Summary: 4 Stars
I found this relatively short novel to be immensely entertaining. It features a former mafia associate who has entered the witness protection program and become a medical doctor. It follows one day in his current life and numerous flashbacks to his youth and days with the mob.
As I said, I thought the writing was riveting and the imagery outstanding. Some of the text features graphic violence, stomach turning gore and explicit sex. Those things don't bother me (in fact I enjoy them), but some might be turned off by the extremes to which the author goes.
After finishing the book, it occurred to me that it would be pretty stupid for the witness protection program to locate a former New York mafia member as a physician in a Brooklyn hospital. Not exactly the kind of protection I'd be looking for. In any event, a 4-6 hour read that will keep you highly entertained.
Book Review: A darkly comic novel of extremes
Summary: 4 Stars
Pietro "Bearclaw" Brwna is an ex-Mafia hitman in witness protection. After re-educating himself he is now working as a Doctor in an overworked, understaffed hospital in New York. Then one day in their tiny luxury ward he runs across an old acquaintance who's very prepared to rat him out to the mob to keep himself alive.
This is a darkly comic novel - and the footnotes are a nice touch. "Dr Brown" and his former life are such extremes that it lends a real touch of unreality to the novel in a way. Despite that this is a quick and fun read. It's not a really big book, but it is entertaining with a few surprises along the way - and if you are offended by swear words be warned that this book is not for you . I have read that this is the first of a series. If so, then I'm looking forward to book 2 in the series.
Book Review: Not for yon virgin eyes
Summary: 4 Stars
Looking at the 1 star reviews, I see "OOOH THE HORRIBLE LANGUAGE!" as the most given excuse for the bad rating. What they didn't seem to grasp is that the protagonist worked for the mob, who he freely admits are a bunch of low-brow scumbags. Low-brow scumbags who do horrible things, which he's also done. '
Personally, I loved this book. The pacing is frantic, which suits the crazed hospital setting perfectly. The glimpses of the other whacked out characters, like the intern that trimmed his afro to look like a brain, is highly entertaining. I liken the storytelling to the shows "Dexter" and "Burn Notice" (when I encounter a footnote, I "hear" the protagonist doing a voice-over with whatever action he's performing, much like in both of those shows.
Book Review: Hit Man Lunacy
Summary: 5 Stars
The hitman genre has been done well by others, Lawrence Block and Max Collins coming to mind as authors who've done justice to it, but no one has ever made their hitman a practioner of medicine. Josh Bazell's debut novel is a wild ride through the life of the main character, Peter Brown, who is currently hiding out as part of the witness relocation program, and acting in the role of a surgeon at an inner-city hospital. Balancing medical crises with mafia-related shenanigans, along with sarcastic and caustic commentary about today's medical practitioners, this book is filled with crackling dialogue and crisp action.
I hope there is a sequel, but don't think it will be able to come close to matching the magic of Beat the Reaper.
Book Review: A Great Debut Novel...
Summary: 4 Stars
This book is definitely worth checking out. It's fun, violent, medically informative, and action-packed. I know it's rather cliche, but this book is honestly very hard to put down. Once you start you'll want to keep going to the brutal end. Josh Bazell has been compared to Chuck Palahniuk. There are definitely aspects of Chuck Palahniuk in his writing. From the heavily detailed medical references to his anti-hero leading character. However his voice and perspective are definitely his own. He offers something new and exciting without coming across as a complete carbon copy of other progressive/alternative/whatever you want to call them/fiction authors. Hurry and read this one before it's turned into a mediocre Hollywood feature film.