Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell
by Jenners • 05/08/2010 • 3.5 Stars, B Authors, B Titles, Fiction, Mystery/Thriller • 14 Comments
A meme concept by That’s A Novel Idea Alipet is back to blogging!
Be sure to link up over at her blog this week!
1 book you read: “Beat the Reaper” by Josh Bazell2 words that describe the book: Crazy-ass thriller
3 settings where it took place or characters you met:
- Setting: Modern-day New York City
- Dr. Peter Brown—An intern at Manhattan’s worst hospital (and this is by no means exaggerated), Dr. Peter Brown is not all that he appears to be. In fact, Dr. Brown is actually Pietro “Bearclaw” Brnwa, a former hit man for the mob and currently in the Witness Protection Program. One morning at work, his past life catches up with him, plunging him into one, long crazy day.
- Adam “Skinflick” Locano—The son of a mob lawyer whose friendship with Dr. Brown introduces him to his life as a mob hit man, Skinflick is one of Pietro/Peter’s best friends … until Skinflick starts to get a little out of control and some bad stuff goes down between them and they end up trying to kill each other in ways I’m sure you could not even imagine until you read the book.
- I disliked that I was PMSing when I read the book and took it way too seriously. This is a book that you take with a giant grain of salt and just hop on, strap in, and ride out into Unbelievable Actionville. This book is not a realistic portrayal of modern medicine (I hope and pray!), the Witness Protection Program, mob life or anything else. It is a crazy, relentless, fast-moving thriller that just has fun with all of these things in a twisted way.
- I liked how Bazell just one-ups himself with nutso exploits for Dr. Brown. Whether evading sharks or fashioning a weapon from his own body (so gross!!!), Dr. Brown has some over-the-top exploits that will make you laugh, gasp or vomit … depending on what kind of person you are.
- I liked how Bazell built suspense during a surgery scene where Dr. Brown is assisting with the surgery but falling asleep during the procedure but trying to hide it. I pray to God I never get operated on by Drs. Brown and Friendly. My chances of survival would be .0000001% to nil, I suspect.
- I disliked how Bazell was so uncreative with the cursing. Dr. Brown is a liberal user of the f-word (I swear at times it was appearing at least three times per page). I really felt this became too one note. Surely Bazell could have used his considerable imagination to come up with some more creative foul language. If you ever watched The Sopranos, you know just how hilariously funny good Mob cursing can be.
I’m giving the book 3.5 stars. Although I initially didn’t like the book all that much, in retrospect I realize my overly glum and persnickety mood (brought on by PMS) may have accounted for my initial reaction. I repeat: DO NOT TAKE THIS BOOK SERIOUSLY. Bazell just goes nuts imagining scenarios for Dr. Brown and the crazy action scenes are what this book is about. Like I said, this is a thrill ride of a book, and I bet big money it will made into a movie someday, probably directed by Quentin Tarantino (who would have a field day with this). And I suspect it would be a book that reluctant readers of the male gender would enjoy immensely.
To find out what other bloggers are saying about the book discussed in this post, visit the Book Blogs Search Engine.
Pingback: Books Read In 2010 | Life … With Books
I agree, some seriously gross parts and lots of bad language, but I did like it. I'm sure that had a lot to do with my mood as I read it. It was one hilarious thrill ride though.
Love your two word decsription
Looks like a fun ride.
Love your two word decsription
Looks like a fun ride.
This book is a crazy ride, but I really enjoyed it. I literally read that one scene with my hand in front of my eyes – peeking between my fingers. I know the plot was far fetched, but it was fun!
This certainly sounds entertaining!
Even though I'm not a fan of over-the-top swearing, I thought it fit with how over-the-top everything else was in this book. I ended up giving it a four because I was so riveted to the story.
If Tarentino did make a film of it I would never see it. His movies are way too violent for my tastes, and the only one with any redeeming qualities at all was Pulp Fiction (and even that I admire more for the art of the storytelling – still can't stand the violence).
I just thought this books was a hoot!
Oh dear, perhaps a second (non pmsing) reading is needed here. A great review, I love the cover on the book.
I have a feeling my husband and I would both be laughing our way through this book. It sounds like a hoot!
I do the same thing with books…wonder if there's something wrong with me or the book. There are a few books i'd like to re-read for that reason, namely Making Toast. My review is so snarky. Now that I think about it, I was PMSing. Lol
Oh that is the perfect analogy! A Tarantino film on paper! There are gratuitous f-bombs, and things about hospitals that will make you pray you never get sick (or make you pledge to amputate your own darned limbs). I would agree with the 3.5 though. It is just pure craziness.
Sounds like an entertaining read. Nice review. I get that way sometimes where I think I really am not liking a book and I've started asking myself if it's me or the book. It's a good question to ask
Right after I read this book we had people over for dinner, and I read them The Freezer Scene. I was loving it. They made me stop. Spoil sports….