Bloodbrothers

Richard Price. I was going to keep this review strictly to Bloodbrothers. However, I am compelled to expand it to anything and everything that Richard Price has had published. Now and in the future. I'll keep it simple. He IS a master of dialogue. He tells a story that even if you have absolutely no interest in, will respect and absorb. He(Price) is possibly the greatest living American storyteller of his genre. He writes it. I buy it. And I love it. Bloodbrothers is a sterling example of what I am trying to impart.

I decided to tiptoe in from the shallow end and read one of Price's shorter novels. I've heard so much about his ear/imagination for dialogue, but found myself surprised by how much I enjoyed learning about Stoney DeCoco. This is one that you won't forget

No matter how miserable you think your life is, just be thankful you weren't living in New Jersey circa 1974 with the DeCoco clan and their circle. What a hopeless, nihilistic existence. Nobody here is going anywhere fast. They all seem to be in the grip of emotional traumas which none of them have the requisite education to explain and spend their whole lives trying to nullify through various means - alcohol, casual sex, whatever. Richard Price is one of the GREAT novelists of this or any other time. Just when you think that you've read every possible word that anyone could say about the human condition, along comes a blindingly intelligent talent such as he who opens your mind to something fresh that you had never previously grasped. What he gives you in his novels is absolute authenticity and understanding of what goes on in the souls of such folk. And he does it in a sensitive yet tough manner. BloodBrothers is a novel that left me profoundly shaken after I'd read it. Although I preferred the surrealism and humor found in The Wanderers (the humor and racism are toned down slightly here), this book has more structure, is more of a novel in the classic sense of the word. They both have their own attributes and ultimately, I would encourage anyone who appreciates truth, humor and brilliant writing to seek both of these novels.

Richard Price is one of my favorite authors, and I have read all of his novels. This is by far my most favorite (and it was the last one I read!). This story really hit home with me...Stony has to chose between doing what he loves for s*** pay, or have a well-paying job that he loathes. When I read this book, I was going through a similar situation, and most of us at least have issues with our families that run deep and complicated. Something about the way Price makes his characters so true to life...I feel that in Blood Brothers even more so than his other books. After I finished the book I felt like I was going to run into one of the characters on the street someday. Highly recommended. If you're new to Richard Price, get this one first! ...but you will get hooked and have to buy all the rest eventually ;)

A very amusing book. It is highly entertaining with great characters and a great plot. An enjoyable read. If you want a serious read, ignore but if you want an entertaing read, go for it. Read it anyway!