The Drift

Wooden George Plimpton, alluring Elle Macpherson, ill-named Mathais Smikle and Brain Nigger Charlie (a name to put the politically correct off immediately, but you soon learn how he got the name and why he wears it, so you accept it as he does). These are a few of the characters you'll meet in a book of great story-telling and fine writing. Among other reviews here, I liked John Bowes succinct "bleak and unique" description and I held the opposite view of Mi-Mi's disappointment with the ending -- I thought it fit the mindset of the man perfectly. I'll spare you any more rhetoric -- just read any of the fine comments in the four- and five-star reviews of this book. Reading John Ridley's prose is like watching a tightrope walker over a gorge. You are slightly breathless hoping he maintains that steady, mesmerizing line of progress and delicate balance throughout the entire journey. Ridley definitely does, making The Drift a harrowing, exhiliarating experience for the reader.

THE DRIFT is another stellar effort from John Ridley. With "Conversation with the Mann" just coming out a few months ago, I was suprised to see THE DRIFT so soon. The pleasant suprise continued with the first pages of THE DRIFT -- John Ridley is among the best and is getting better! From the book description one gets an idea of what the story is about so a synopsis is not needed here, but accolades are. The journey is fast paced, thought provoking, and very dark. So dark in fact that it may turn off some more mainstream readers, however, it is worth every discomfort and upon further thought, the book's darkness and violence does inflict a deeper mental impact (the imagery stays with you) and thankfully, there are moments of humor to lift us out of the mire. I hope John Ridley remains this prolific and we'll be reading him for years to come. A must read.

John Ridley has range. He wrote the story for the movie Three Kings [the George Clooney role was originally written as a black man], wrote the movie Undercover Brother, and writes for the NBC show Third Watch. When it comes to his novels, Ridley describes himself as a follower of Dashiell Hammett and Damon Runyan. He is a credit to his masters. This action-packed book evokes the edgy bleak spirit of all the great black-and-white film noir movies, but without a single cliche and with a fresh take. Its dark humor, absolutely modern characters, and visceral violence reminded me of Pulp Fiction. Beneath its ironically comic, beat-inspired narrative tone, The Drift manages to trace a fallen man's shot at personal redemption. This is a powerful, streamlined tale that hits you like one of the locomotives it describes. You'll read it in as few sittings as you possibly can.This was the first Ridley novel I've tried, and definitely will NOT be the last. I've never found a book so wildly entertaining while dealing with a host of serious societal issues. Ridley is a major talent, and The Drift is a brutal, cold gem.

John Ridley has always been an original voice in crime fiction, but this time he outdoes himself. From the introduction of the real George Plimpton on the first page to its stunning conclusion, THE DRIFT is unlike anything Ridley or, for that matter, any other crime writer I've ever read, has produced. The book is suspenseful, touching, bizarre and, at times, quite funny. If there were a sixth star in this rating system, that's what I'd give THE DRIFT.