Helpful Score: 1
2 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 BrownAn 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" LocanoThe 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.
4 Things you liked and/or disliked about it:
* I disliked that when I first read the book, I 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, 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.
5 Stars or less for your rating?
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 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.
3 settings where it took place or characters you met:
* Setting: Modern-day New York City
* Dr. Peter BrownAn 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" LocanoThe 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.
4 Things you liked and/or disliked about it:
* I disliked that when I first read the book, I 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, 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.
5 Stars or less for your rating?
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 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.
