Series
Publication
Minotaur Books (1999), Edition: First Edition (first, 320 pages
Original publication date
1996
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Awards
Description
Washington DC, 1946. For two local young men, Pete Karras and Joey Recevo, the easiest way to find work after the war is by providing a little muscle for a local boss who runs a protection racket with the Mafia. The trouble with Pete Karras is that he is just too soft on his fellow immigrants, and the last thing the boss wants is for his mob to get soft. The boys have to teach Karras a painful lesson that he won't forget. Three years later Pete and Joey meet up once more and a final confrontation puts the meaning of friendship and honour to the ultimate test. The Big Blowdown is the first novel in Pelecanos's acclaimed ?D.C. Quartet'.
User reviews
LibraryThing member sanddancer
It took me a little while to get into this book, but after about 50 pages I was hooked. Pelecanos creates a very specific time and place (Washington DC in the 1940s) but the themes of friendship and life choices are universal. I can't wait to read the next in this series.
LibraryThing member dayends
I haven't even finished this yet but am enjoying it so much I thought i'd recommend it to anyone thinking of picking it up! I've never read a crime novel before and am loving the slow build up of the story. Exciting stuff
LibraryThing member DinoReader
It's an okay novel, the plot is so-so; it seems to primarily act as a showcase for social mannerisms, issues and styles common to the era it tries to depict; in other words, it's a period piece. For me, that alone is not enough to create a strong interest.
The characters seem to be stereotypes of
The characters seem to be stereotypes of
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how most of us recall people being then. It's good but to be great it needs to do more than prove the writer has a memory; the plot and character development are pedestrian. Show Less
Language
Original language
English
ISBN
0312242913 / 9780312242916
Physical description
324 p.; 5.5 inches
Pages
324