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Gangster
GANGSTER is an epic, compassionate portrait of one man's fight against his fate - and the narrative of a family, a city and a century. Born in violence and raised in the shadow of a shocking secret, young Angelo Vestieri chose to flee both his Italian past and his father, and build a new life in early 20th century New York. Through his bloody rise from soldier to mob boss he deals in further betrayals - in his brutal business, in friendship and in love - while coming to understand loyalty and the virtues of relationships. As he grows older, Angelo takes Gabe, an abandoned boy, under his wing, and teaches him everything he knows. Finally, he will learn which is stronger - the love he has for the boy he cherishes, or the need to be a gangster and live by the savage rules he helped to create.
464 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2001
About the author
Lorenzo Carcaterra
39 books662 followersNumber-one New York Times bestselling author Lorenzo Carcaterra's highly successful career spans more than 25 years of writing for the diverse fields of fiction, non-fiction, television, and film.
Born and raised in New York's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, Carcaterra landed his first job in the newspaper business as a copy boy for The New York Daily News in 1976. He worked his way up to entertainment reporter before leaving the paper in 1982, heading for the green pastures of then-Time Inc. and TV-Cable Week, as senior writer. Nine months later, the magazine folded, leaving him unemployed. A four-month stint at People magazine was followed by an odyssey of writing for a string of start-up publications—Picture Week, Entertainment Tonight Magazine, Special Reports Magazine—and freelancing for dozens of others—The New York Times Sunday Magazine, Newsday Sunday Magazine, Family Circle, Ladies Home Journal, and Twilight Zone Magazine among them.
In 1988, Carcaterra turned to television as a Creative Consultant for the syndicated weekly series Cop Talk: Behind the Shield, produced by Grosso-Jacobson Productions. That led to a job as Managing Editor for the CBS weekly series Top Cops, also with Grosso-Jacobson Productions. Running for four seasons, from 1990 to 1994, the show is still in syndication today worldwide. In addition, he worked on a dozen other pilots, one of which––Secret Service (NBC)––made it to air. It was while at Grosso-Jacobson Productions that Carcaterra wrote and published his first two books, A Safe Place and Sleepers.
First published in hardcover in 1993, A Safe Place: The True Story of a Father, a Son, a Murder, attracted widespread critical acclaim, with Newsweek calling it, “unforgettable—a remarkable book.” Currently in its 14th printing, it has been sold to 11 foreign countries and has sold close to 220,000 copies.
The 1995 publication of Sleepers, which was a #1 New York Times bestseller in both hardcover and paperback, catapulted Carcaterra to national attention. Sold to 35 foreign countries and now in its 38th printing in the United States, the book has sales exceeding 1.8 million copies. In 1996, Sleepers was made into a feature film starring Brad Pitt, Robert DeNiro, Dustin Hoffman, Kevin Bacon, Minnie Driver, and Jason Patric. Carcaterra served as co-producer on the project, which was directed by Academy Award winner Barry Levinson. To date, the movie has earned in excess of $500 million worldwide in combined box-office, video, DVD, and TV sales.
Carcaterra made a smooth transition into writing fiction with his first novel, Apaches, a New York Times bestseller in both hardcover and paperback. Published in a 14 foreign countries, the book has sold more than 450,000 copies and been optioned by producer Jerry Bruckheimer.
He followed that with Gangster, published in hardcover in 2001. The book has sold over 375,000 copies since its 2002 release as a Mass Market Paperback. The novel has been optioned by Joe Roth and been sold to 15 foreign countries.
Carcaterra then wrote Street Boys, a World War II saga inspired by an incident which occurred in Naples, Italy, in 1943. Warner Bros. and Bel-Air Entertainment bought the rights to the story in March 2001 before it was written, and developed the project for director Barry Levinson. Carcaterra wrote the screenplay. The paperback was released in July, 2003 and has since sold 150,000 copies.
Carcaterra's next novel Paradise City was published in hardcover by Ballantine in September 2004 with the paperback following a year later. To date, the novel has sold over 100,000 copies and was optioned by Fox Television to be developed as a weekly series.
In 2007, Carcaterra published Chasers, a sequel to his bestseller Apaches. The paperback version was published in the spring of 2008 and movie rights to the story are once again controlled by Jerry Bruckheimer Productions.
With that, Carcaterra took a different turn and has just completed hi
Born and raised in New York's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, Carcaterra landed his first job in the newspaper business as a copy boy for The New York Daily News in 1976. He worked his way up to entertainment reporter before leaving the paper in 1982, heading for the green pastures of then-Time Inc. and TV-Cable Week, as senior writer. Nine months later, the magazine folded, leaving him unemployed. A four-month stint at People magazine was followed by an odyssey of writing for a string of start-up publications—Picture Week, Entertainment Tonight Magazine, Special Reports Magazine—and freelancing for dozens of others—The New York Times Sunday Magazine, Newsday Sunday Magazine, Family Circle, Ladies Home Journal, and Twilight Zone Magazine among them.
In 1988, Carcaterra turned to television as a Creative Consultant for the syndicated weekly series Cop Talk: Behind the Shield, produced by Grosso-Jacobson Productions. That led to a job as Managing Editor for the CBS weekly series Top Cops, also with Grosso-Jacobson Productions. Running for four seasons, from 1990 to 1994, the show is still in syndication today worldwide. In addition, he worked on a dozen other pilots, one of which––Secret Service (NBC)––made it to air. It was while at Grosso-Jacobson Productions that Carcaterra wrote and published his first two books, A Safe Place and Sleepers.
First published in hardcover in 1993, A Safe Place: The True Story of a Father, a Son, a Murder, attracted widespread critical acclaim, with Newsweek calling it, “unforgettable—a remarkable book.” Currently in its 14th printing, it has been sold to 11 foreign countries and has sold close to 220,000 copies.
The 1995 publication of Sleepers, which was a #1 New York Times bestseller in both hardcover and paperback, catapulted Carcaterra to national attention. Sold to 35 foreign countries and now in its 38th printing in the United States, the book has sales exceeding 1.8 million copies. In 1996, Sleepers was made into a feature film starring Brad Pitt, Robert DeNiro, Dustin Hoffman, Kevin Bacon, Minnie Driver, and Jason Patric. Carcaterra served as co-producer on the project, which was directed by Academy Award winner Barry Levinson. To date, the movie has earned in excess of $500 million worldwide in combined box-office, video, DVD, and TV sales.
Carcaterra made a smooth transition into writing fiction with his first novel, Apaches, a New York Times bestseller in both hardcover and paperback. Published in a 14 foreign countries, the book has sold more than 450,000 copies and been optioned by producer Jerry Bruckheimer.
He followed that with Gangster, published in hardcover in 2001. The book has sold over 375,000 copies since its 2002 release as a Mass Market Paperback. The novel has been optioned by Joe Roth and been sold to 15 foreign countries.
Carcaterra then wrote Street Boys, a World War II saga inspired by an incident which occurred in Naples, Italy, in 1943. Warner Bros. and Bel-Air Entertainment bought the rights to the story in March 2001 before it was written, and developed the project for director Barry Levinson. Carcaterra wrote the screenplay. The paperback was released in July, 2003 and has since sold 150,000 copies.
Carcaterra's next novel Paradise City was published in hardcover by Ballantine in September 2004 with the paperback following a year later. To date, the novel has sold over 100,000 copies and was optioned by Fox Television to be developed as a weekly series.
In 2007, Carcaterra published Chasers, a sequel to his bestseller Apaches. The paperback version was published in the spring of 2008 and movie rights to the story are once again controlled by Jerry Bruckheimer Productions.
With that, Carcaterra took a different turn and has just completed hi
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
May 3, 2018
Interesting... my first street life book that is not an urban read, this one involves the mob--Italians, Irish, straight old school shoot em up gangster life..The story begins with Angelo Vesteiri, an old legendary mob boss who lays dying with the two closest people to him sitting around as he tells the amazing story of his life. I apologize up front as there is so much going on in this book it is hard to write it down specifically-- Okay so beginning with his tumultuous birth and voyage to America Angelo's life was eventful and ruthless..He meets many and learns to trust few..There is Pablo, a once happy family man who makes a terrible decision that haunts him and eventually Angelo his entire life; Ida the Goose, one of my favorite characters---a beautiful mob queen that ran a bar,and cared and raised Angelo--when it was her time went out like a straight soldier; Pudge, his best friend since Ida said they would be, who while being violent is lovable at the same time --there are also a host of other characters as they replay Angelo's rise to the top..There are alot of descriptive passages in this book but I cant help feeling like they left a lot out--I would have loved to hear more about Isabella, the love of Angelo's life and also more about Pudge who played a very interesting sidekick and should have had a larger role. I was blown away by the whole gang wars though, they were pretty cool with the strategy and methods of murder and there are a bunch of great gangster quotes and lessons that are actually worth applying such as trust no one and vary your routine. The book takes you through the decades and the introduction of new money schemes like drugs into the income gained from gambling and prostitution and how it changed everything ..I kinda did have a hard time with the viewpoints this book was written from because they shift drastically in the telling of the story and at times can be a little hard to keep up but, this would definitely be a great movie/miniseries..It reminded me of Carlito's Way meets Goodfellas and I liked that..the ending twist was a little predictable but satisfying and overall worth the read.
May 7, 2024
After just having read some fantasy mafia business (Brust's Jhereg) and Cosby's first crime thriller, I thought I might as well stay on a roll and read Gangster, Carcaterra's depiction of a mafia gangster in NYC. Puzo masterfully wrote about the Sicilian mafia in NYC; Carcaterra on the other hand focused upon the camorra mafia. I hate to call this Godfather lite, but well, if the shoe fits...
This starts with Angelo Vestieri lying on his death bed, being watched over by Gabe. Who are these people? Carcaterra narrates this tale via flashbacks from both Gabe and Mary, a woman who also came to Angelo's hospital room, but one Gabe never met. Yet, she seems to know an awful lot about Angelo the gangster. Angelo came to the US (actually born on the way there) in the early 20th century. His parents immigrated primarily to avoid the camorra in Napoli, who wanted to take/adopt his eldest son. Not wanting his son to become a gangster, Angelo's father killed him and fled to the US.
Carcaterra presents early 20th century NYC as a maze of corruption and gang activity, but Angelo's father just wanted to make an honest living. Fat chance. Angelo soon befriended some 'good fellas' and, much to his father's disappointment, ditched his dad to become a gangster. The novel itself chronicles the rise of Angelo (and his buddy Pudge) from young boys running numbers to the head of the most feared and ruthless mob in NYC and perhaps the USA. Expect lots of melodrama, and 'life lessons' on what it means to be a gangster. Just about impossible to read this without thinking of Puzo, however, and comparing it. Both take a deep dive into the anthropology if you will on being part of the mafia-- how they think, how they act, respect, etc. The difference here rests with Gabe, who was groomed to be Angelo's successor, but obviously took a different track, becoming the owner of an advertising firm (e.g., legit). Good, but not great. 3 offers you cannot refuse stars.
This starts with Angelo Vestieri lying on his death bed, being watched over by Gabe. Who are these people? Carcaterra narrates this tale via flashbacks from both Gabe and Mary, a woman who also came to Angelo's hospital room, but one Gabe never met. Yet, she seems to know an awful lot about Angelo the gangster. Angelo came to the US (actually born on the way there) in the early 20th century. His parents immigrated primarily to avoid the camorra in Napoli, who wanted to take/adopt his eldest son. Not wanting his son to become a gangster, Angelo's father killed him and fled to the US.
Carcaterra presents early 20th century NYC as a maze of corruption and gang activity, but Angelo's father just wanted to make an honest living. Fat chance. Angelo soon befriended some 'good fellas' and, much to his father's disappointment, ditched his dad to become a gangster. The novel itself chronicles the rise of Angelo (and his buddy Pudge) from young boys running numbers to the head of the most feared and ruthless mob in NYC and perhaps the USA. Expect lots of melodrama, and 'life lessons' on what it means to be a gangster. Just about impossible to read this without thinking of Puzo, however, and comparing it. Both take a deep dive into the anthropology if you will on being part of the mafia-- how they think, how they act, respect, etc. The difference here rests with Gabe, who was groomed to be Angelo's successor, but obviously took a different track, becoming the owner of an advertising firm (e.g., legit). Good, but not great. 3 offers you cannot refuse stars.
March 4, 2015
Loved the book.
I had so many quotes that I liked, guess I love this genre.
Angelo and Pudge are like ice and fire.
Dangerous and effective. They became the kings of the New York underworld.
I expected Pudge to 'go down' early in the start of the book but didn't, I think that was good for the book. But, I just have to say this, let's face it, it was a bit unbelievable for them to be untouchable for so long.
When Gabe came into their lives it was unexpected.
I thought they helped him because they pittied him. But then he was being prepared as their replacement, the next gangster. Who the hell is this kid?
God gives and god takes. Especially when you're in a business like that you better be prepared for a lot of losing and loneliness. Angelo lost his parents and Isabella but then Gabe came into their lives. Until the end we don't find out who Gabe really is and after all the life stories are told ... have to say that it was emotional.
Angelo's father didn't want his son to become a gangster, but Angelo became one and then when he wanted his son to become his heir, Gabe chose not to.
I had so many quotes that I liked, guess I love this genre.
Angelo and Pudge are like ice and fire.
Dangerous and effective. They became the kings of the New York underworld.
I expected Pudge to 'go down' early in the start of the book but didn't, I think that was good for the book. But, I just have to say this, let's face it, it was a bit unbelievable for them to be untouchable for so long.
When Gabe came into their lives it was unexpected.
I thought they helped him because they pittied him. But then he was being prepared as their replacement, the next gangster. Who the hell is this kid?
God gives and god takes. Especially when you're in a business like that you better be prepared for a lot of losing and loneliness. Angelo lost his parents and Isabella but then Gabe came into their lives. Until the end we don't find out who Gabe really is and after all the life stories are told ... have to say that it was emotional.
Angelo's father didn't want his son to become a gangster, but Angelo became one and then when he wanted his son to become his heir, Gabe chose not to.
January 19, 2009
Wow! Where do I begin. I have to honestly say that this was my first gangster MAFIA style book. I was very pleased with the story. The story kept me interested until the last page. The book was fun and easy to read. I devoured it quickly. For a few hundred pages I got to be in the minds of Angelo, Pudge, Nico, Ida the Goose, Gabe and others. I got to be a gangster and it was sometimes pleasant and sometimes not comfortable at all, but it was fun to say the least.
July 12, 2016
It was ok, if a bit clichéd and romanticised.
The writer has obviously seen Sergio Leone's "Once Upon A Time In America", as the book has the same kind of feel to it. There are also parallels to "The Godfather" early on, which I won't reveal, as they are spoilers.
Much as I love gangster books, it's probably better sticking to the biographies of the real guys like Luciano and Meyer. Even when the author makes shit up, it still has the ring of truth, because they were real people.
The writer has obviously seen Sergio Leone's "Once Upon A Time In America", as the book has the same kind of feel to it. There are also parallels to "The Godfather" early on, which I won't reveal, as they are spoilers.
Much as I love gangster books, it's probably better sticking to the biographies of the real guys like Luciano and Meyer. Even when the author makes shit up, it still has the ring of truth, because they were real people.
March 9, 2014
I couldn't put it down. The type of book that creates a movie in your head. Loved it!
October 8, 2014
Angelo Vestieri is the coldest ganster I know. He is colder than all other gansters I have read about or saw in movies or tv shows. I mean he is as ruthless and vicious as he is efective and intelligent.
Angelo Vestieri was born surrounded by death, smoke and fire. And he died surrounded by posibly the last two people alive that could love a man like him.
With what started with stories about old gangster and the how and why the mafia was originally formed, Angelo Vestieri was raised to become a man of the mafia. He was formed to become a leader of the mafie. He was a key player in shaping the mafia into a internacional network of crime.
This is the story of how a boy grows up to become the Number 1 mafia boss in the US.
Angelo Vestieri was born surrounded by death, smoke and fire. And he died surrounded by posibly the last two people alive that could love a man like him.
With what started with stories about old gangster and the how and why the mafia was originally formed, Angelo Vestieri was raised to become a man of the mafia. He was formed to become a leader of the mafie. He was a key player in shaping the mafia into a internacional network of crime.
This is the story of how a boy grows up to become the Number 1 mafia boss in the US.
March 3, 2012
Without question one of the best books I ever read. Clearly the title tells the subject so there is no need for me to blather on about the story. The to my view beats the Godfather by far and why there has not been a movie or tv miniseries made based on this book is beyond me. I could not put it down. I gave a copy to my 90 yr old father and he read it in two days, also loved it. If you don't give this a try you are simply nuts :) :).
May 27, 2013
Great book with a shocking beginning and an even more surprising twist at the end. Lorenzo Carcaterra is a gifted storyteller. His vivid descriptions of people, places, and events transport the reader into the dark underworld of the early- to mid-twentieth-century New York mafia. His characters are complex, and at once despicable and worthy of admiration. I'll be adding this author to my list of favorites.
August 2, 2012
Haven't finished it yet, but so far I really like it! Seriously reminds me to be grateful that I'm not in that kind of situation or that anyone that I know is not experiencing it aswell. Lorenzo open's up a whole new world in this book!
2/08/2012
Lol, I finished this book a few months ago but have completely forgotten to finish off my review! Lorenzo Carcaterra is such a great author! Honestly, I loved the darkness that this book had, mixed in with wise teachings that can be applied to daily living. I especially found this surprising, as most books i tend to agree with the thoughts and opinions the author is trying to make known, but I actually agreed with some of the "life" teachings that 'Angelo' and 'Pudge' were imprinting on Gabe. I have to say that I didnt expect the end, though I did suspect that Mary was his mum (sorry for if I ruined this for those who haven't read this book yet). So well - done Lorenzo!
2/08/2012
Lol, I finished this book a few months ago but have completely forgotten to finish off my review! Lorenzo Carcaterra is such a great author! Honestly, I loved the darkness that this book had, mixed in with wise teachings that can be applied to daily living. I especially found this surprising, as most books i tend to agree with the thoughts and opinions the author is trying to make known, but I actually agreed with some of the "life" teachings that 'Angelo' and 'Pudge' were imprinting on Gabe. I have to say that I didnt expect the end, though I did suspect that Mary was his mum (sorry for if I ruined this for those who haven't read this book yet). So well - done Lorenzo!
July 16, 2015
Though it's been awhile since I read this book, it was good enough to have a lasting imprint in my memory.
This book was awesome! It was one of my first "urban-fiction" genre books, but I enjoyed it alot. From my memory, the author had a great way of making you turn the pages. But, I think his greatest mark was the ability to make characters you fell in love with. I remember crying and laughing as I read because the characters go through so much.
I would definitely recommend this book if anyone is craving for classic-style mafia plot lines :)
This book was awesome! It was one of my first "urban-fiction" genre books, but I enjoyed it alot. From my memory, the author had a great way of making you turn the pages. But, I think his greatest mark was the ability to make characters you fell in love with. I remember crying and laughing as I read because the characters go through so much.
I would definitely recommend this book if anyone is craving for classic-style mafia plot lines :)
November 9, 2008
By far my favorite Carcaterra book (and I have them all!...I will say Street Boys is a very close second).
I loved the characters, Angelo and Pudge, from the second they were introduced in the book. Part of the storyline (Gabe) is a tad bit predictable, but it didn't take away from the story at all. In fact, knowing Gabe's role before he did made it more enjoyable, because it allowed me as a reader to see how his life had been - er - "managed" without his knowing.
Entirely enjoyable, even more so because it deals with a group that most people never come into contact with...the mob.
I loved the characters, Angelo and Pudge, from the second they were introduced in the book. Part of the storyline (Gabe) is a tad bit predictable, but it didn't take away from the story at all. In fact, knowing Gabe's role before he did made it more enjoyable, because it allowed me as a reader to see how his life had been - er - "managed" without his knowing.
Entirely enjoyable, even more so because it deals with a group that most people never come into contact with...the mob.
March 29, 2024
4.5★
Lorenzo Carcaterra’s forth novel brings to the fore his ability to write fiction in a way that one can only describe as non-fictional. The authenticity of his characters, the settings and occurrences, which are depicted throughout Gangster do nothing but make you believe you are reading a real life account of a New York Mafia boss.
Apaches was Carcaterra’s first published work of fiction following in the footsteps of his hugely successful compositions A Safe Place and Sleepers. Like Apaches, Gangster flows naturally. Carcaterra intoxicates your train of thought pulling you in to his story. The conclusion is that you are left with quite an absorbing read.
A young man sits at the bedside of the dying Angelo Vestieri. As the great mob boss awaits his destiny Gabe reflects on the life of the man he considers his father.
At the turn of the twentieth century the Vestieri family arrive in New York looking for a fresh start. The idea of fleeing from their native homeland and the clutches of the Mafia to the ‘land of opportunity’ proves too tempting. Unfortunately it would be this land, which would turn the son of the Vestieri family into one of the most notorious crime bosses New York has ever seen.
As Angelo climbs the underworld ladder so he begins to adopt the list of enemies, which would accompany the status of any mob boss. It’s only when he gets to the top that he realises his world is nothing more than that of a lonely man’s world. Although he has a lot of people around him, he doesn’t have the love one requires in life to move on.
That is until Angelo befriends a young boy named Gabe. Gabe is also searching the same escapism, be it from his family or school, which Angelo sought himself as a young boy.
Their friendship blossoms into a father son relationship as Gabe begins to climb the same ladder Angelo had as a young man. The only difference here is that Gabe has noticed how fast everything is moving. The fact he is becoming notorious in his own right, but will Gabe make the right choice when he arrives at the quintessential crossroads in life. Will he continue down the same lonely road as his ‘adopted’ father or will he remove himself from this secluded life and find the life of love Angelo never found?
Murder, forgiveness and redemption are all subjects used pivotally by Carcaterra, forcing the reader to feel for these characters in a way you wouldn’t normally in a subject matter of such violence and deceit. All the aforementioned traits prove once again how powerful Carcaterra has become in the world of literature.
Lorenzo Carcaterra’s forth novel brings to the fore his ability to write fiction in a way that one can only describe as non-fictional. The authenticity of his characters, the settings and occurrences, which are depicted throughout Gangster do nothing but make you believe you are reading a real life account of a New York Mafia boss.
Apaches was Carcaterra’s first published work of fiction following in the footsteps of his hugely successful compositions A Safe Place and Sleepers. Like Apaches, Gangster flows naturally. Carcaterra intoxicates your train of thought pulling you in to his story. The conclusion is that you are left with quite an absorbing read.
A young man sits at the bedside of the dying Angelo Vestieri. As the great mob boss awaits his destiny Gabe reflects on the life of the man he considers his father.
At the turn of the twentieth century the Vestieri family arrive in New York looking for a fresh start. The idea of fleeing from their native homeland and the clutches of the Mafia to the ‘land of opportunity’ proves too tempting. Unfortunately it would be this land, which would turn the son of the Vestieri family into one of the most notorious crime bosses New York has ever seen.
As Angelo climbs the underworld ladder so he begins to adopt the list of enemies, which would accompany the status of any mob boss. It’s only when he gets to the top that he realises his world is nothing more than that of a lonely man’s world. Although he has a lot of people around him, he doesn’t have the love one requires in life to move on.
That is until Angelo befriends a young boy named Gabe. Gabe is also searching the same escapism, be it from his family or school, which Angelo sought himself as a young boy.
Their friendship blossoms into a father son relationship as Gabe begins to climb the same ladder Angelo had as a young man. The only difference here is that Gabe has noticed how fast everything is moving. The fact he is becoming notorious in his own right, but will Gabe make the right choice when he arrives at the quintessential crossroads in life. Will he continue down the same lonely road as his ‘adopted’ father or will he remove himself from this secluded life and find the life of love Angelo never found?
Murder, forgiveness and redemption are all subjects used pivotally by Carcaterra, forcing the reader to feel for these characters in a way you wouldn’t normally in a subject matter of such violence and deceit. All the aforementioned traits prove once again how powerful Carcaterra has become in the world of literature.
March 19, 2011
As an avid Godfather fan, probably my favorite book I've ever read, I had high hopes for this book. The first word that comes to my mind is boredom. I enjoyed this book for probably 10-15 pages, other than that the plot line is frankly boring. Its all about nonsense violence. I like a good set-up hit, as much as the next Organized Crime junky likes, but the killing I thought was overplayed. The storyline never gripped me, so Godfather fans don't get your hopes up. Its worth a read if your desperate, but thats it. Wouldn't be a good movie, nor will I ever read it or recommend it.
August 27, 2024
This was a strange read for me. There was SO much boring nonsense that was unnecessary. The 400 page book could have been condensed to 150 pages. I never knew who I needed to keep track of because just characters came and went within two pages and never heard about them again.
The three stars are because I did fall for the characters. It was so slow but I did feel emotions towards them by the end.
Nothing in the story is important. But in the end it is a mafia story, so I felt the loyalty and family aspects which I enjoy.
I would not recommend anyone read the book though.
The three stars are because I did fall for the characters. It was so slow but I did feel emotions towards them by the end.
Nothing in the story is important. But in the end it is a mafia story, so I felt the loyalty and family aspects which I enjoy.
I would not recommend anyone read the book though.
August 28, 2013
Not quite finished yet but I don't expect it will get any better. Finished with Mr. Carcaterra for now. I really liked his book Apaches: A Novel of Suspense, his follow-on to that (Chasers) was just ok. Gangster feels like an uninspired version of The Godfather. The book is told in a series of flashbacks. I never had a sense of suspense or felt a connection to the players.
June 24, 2024
Looking for a crime novel to read on holidays I was drawn to this by some online reviews and the review comments on the book itself as well as the fact the author wrote Sleepers. One of the tag-lines on the book says it reads like a Scorsese script - perhaps a script Scorsese wrote when he was 7?
Very disappointing. Generally cliched, the dialog was wooden and the plot was one long, slow, illogical slog, with a telegraphed ending. The characters had no depth and so many things were 'just because'.
The regularly interjected generalisations along the lines of 'gangsters are this/gangsters are that' was tiresome.
Prior to this 'The Last Don' was the most disappointing mafia/gangster book I had read but that had merits this does not. To see this mentioned in the same breath as 'The Godfather' is a mind-bogglingly appalling miscalculation.
Very disappointing. Generally cliched, the dialog was wooden and the plot was one long, slow, illogical slog, with a telegraphed ending. The characters had no depth and so many things were 'just because'.
The regularly interjected generalisations along the lines of 'gangsters are this/gangsters are that' was tiresome.
Prior to this 'The Last Don' was the most disappointing mafia/gangster book I had read but that had merits this does not. To see this mentioned in the same breath as 'The Godfather' is a mind-bogglingly appalling miscalculation.
November 15, 2016
Writing a book about gangsters is always a difficult task. The author did a good enough job, yet some of the cliches he used have made it just a fine read but not a great one.
He tried to emulate Mario Puzo but was still nowhere near that master class.
He tried to emulate Mario Puzo but was still nowhere near that master class.
October 7, 2014
My single most favourite book of ALL time.
November 22, 2018
Pure commercial crap. Abandoned after 50 pages. Life's too short.
May 10, 2021
While I applaud the author's intent with this novel, I ultimately found it disappointing and unsatisfying. To a large extent I think this is because I found the role of the narrator quite confusing. Initially the narrator is your classic third-person omniscient one, but then switches to a first-person "I was there" perspective. And the whole novel is a flashback, within which there are other, further flashbacks. And I assume the author intended for the ending to be a surprise, but it was far too predictable.
I think this would have been a much better novel if the narration had been a bit more straightforward.
I think this would have been a much better novel if the narration had been a bit more straightforward.
December 24, 2023
If you want to be a gangster, read this book. It is basically a manual to gangsterlife. If you have no interest in being a hartless criminal, still read this book. It is AMAZING. The twists, turns, characters, everything is great. The first time I read a book like this but I loved it. It's giving Peaky Blinders (but then the New York version). Very well written, not repetative, not all that predictable, great until the very last page.
December 19, 2021
IDK what to say here. It was a good story... but it was abridged. The fact that it was abridged was buried deep in the details of the listing. The audiobook itself never disclosed it until the very end and then, only in passing. If you can afford Joe Mantegna, you can afford to pay him to narrate the whole thing.
August 19, 2021
Predecible. Con muchos clichés.
Nada especial.
Traducción para eBook no es muy buena.
5'5/10
Nada especial.
Traducción para eBook no es muy buena.
5'5/10
May 27, 2022
Excellent! I liked everything about this book! Very little predictability, and the ending couldn’t have been better.
October 16, 2021
2/10
All gangsters I know are superstituous.
Gangsters live for the action.
A gangster must always be prepared to kill a friend.
Gangsters love stories that are set either in the Wild West or during the height of World War II and are avid fans of thrillers, silly comedies, and high-class horror.
Gangsters enjoy crocheting colorful sweaters and quilts in their spare time.
Ok, I made the last one up, but the first 4 and a number of other gangster platitudes are sprinkled liberally throughout this novel. I loved Carcattera's "Sleepers". I also love a good mafia story- Lehane's Joe Coughlin trilogy comes to mind. So I thought I would enjoy this more than I did.
Everything seemed to come a bit too easy to Angelo and Pudge. The action was at times over-the-top cartoonish. The bullets fly and our heroes seem to always be a step ahead. The pages between the action scenes were heavy on detail and what felt to me like filler.
That being said, there were a handful of excellent action sequences. The historical backdrop was done well. The overall effect wore me down though, and it became a chore to read about halfway through. I did finish, and unlike a lot of reviewers, found the ending entirely predictable.
And finally I might have gone two stars, but (and it's not much of a spoiler since it is revealed in the first few pages and in a number of GR reviews, but I will dutifully insert spoiler tag here)...
So I'll read another Carcaterra at some point based on the strength of "Sleepers". This one just wasn't for me.
All gangsters I know are superstituous.
Gangsters live for the action.
A gangster must always be prepared to kill a friend.
Gangsters love stories that are set either in the Wild West or during the height of World War II and are avid fans of thrillers, silly comedies, and high-class horror.
Gangsters enjoy crocheting colorful sweaters and quilts in their spare time.
Ok, I made the last one up, but the first 4 and a number of other gangster platitudes are sprinkled liberally throughout this novel. I loved Carcattera's "Sleepers". I also love a good mafia story- Lehane's Joe Coughlin trilogy comes to mind. So I thought I would enjoy this more than I did.
Everything seemed to come a bit too easy to Angelo and Pudge. The action was at times over-the-top cartoonish. The bullets fly and our heroes seem to always be a step ahead. The pages between the action scenes were heavy on detail and what felt to me like filler.
That being said, there were a handful of excellent action sequences. The historical backdrop was done well. The overall effect wore me down though, and it became a chore to read about halfway through. I did finish, and unlike a lot of reviewers, found the ending entirely predictable.
And finally I might have gone two stars, but (and it's not much of a spoiler since it is revealed in the first few pages and in a number of GR reviews, but I will dutifully insert spoiler tag here)...
So I'll read another Carcaterra at some point based on the strength of "Sleepers". This one just wasn't for me.
July 9, 2021
I've heard this book compared to The Godfather a lot so I had to read it. Angelo Vestieri was born on a ship from Italy to the Land of the Free, brought up by and among gangsters (despite having a father) who then became a legend among the gangsters. The story is told in flashback by Gabe and Mary in a hospital room whilst Angelo lingered to his life using hospital machines. From the flashbacks, we learned about how Angelo was took in my his great-aunt Josephina (the wife of a gangster), Ida the Goose (a thief) and Angus (a gangster). One day he was bullied in the street by a Pudge Nichols, who then turned his brother in arm. It was great to read about how Angelo and Nichols formed a forced friendship to being a true friend to each other and became the formidable force in the underworld. Though I didn't love it as much as I love The Godfather, Gangster is still a great book to read. It's on a league of its own for sure.
September 16, 2009
A coming of age story about life in the gangster lifestyle. The characters are well developed and the writing is excellent. Gangster follows three generations of people, a father who flees Italy to protect his unborn child from the Italian gangsters, a son who is drawn to the gangster lifestyle in America, and an orphan who is raised and developed to take over for one of the most powerful gangsters in the world. Both calm and brutal this book is an excellent read.
February 16, 2016
I'll probably regret this in a few hours when I have to wake up, but I couldn't put this book down - an unbelievable update on The Godfather with a layered gangster story that spans generations. An inner conflict plagues our narrator, but the surprise at the end left me speechless. Probably the 2nd best gangster book I've ever read, just behind...you guessed it...Mario Puzo's The Godfather. Highly recommended.
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