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Total Chaos

Book 1 in the series:Marseilles

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Total Chaos by Jean-Claude Izzo is the first installment in the Marseilles trilogy, following Detective Fabio Montale as he returns to his hometown to investigate the deaths of his childhood friends, Manu and Ugo. The book is set in Marseilles, where Montale navigates through criminal factions, corruption within his department, and personal danger while exploring themes of loyalty, racial tensions, and cultural complexities. Izzo's writing style paints a vivid picture of Marseilles, portraying the city as a character in itself with its mix of beauty, crime, and inherent contradictions.

The novel delves into the gritty and dark side of Marseilles, showcasing the complexities of the city through the eyes of Montale as he unravels the truth behind the murders of his friends. The plot is fast-paced and intriguing, with detailed descriptions of the city, its inhabitants, and the challenges faced by Montale, creating a compelling narrative that blends elements of noir crime fiction with social commentary and character exploration.

Characters:

Characters are complex and diverse; Montale embodies disillusionment and loyalty, while the supporting cast adds varied depth.

Writing/Prose:

The prose combines sparse yet atmospheric language with lyrical expressions, creating a vivid depiction of the city and its characters.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on childhood friends embroiled in crime and a detective's quest for justice, emphasizing themes of friendship and the significant role of Marseilles.

Setting:

Marseilles is a vivid and integral setting, depicted with rich detail reflecting its complexities and tensions.

Pacing:

The pacing is uneven, swinging between rapid action and slower, introspective segments, occasionally relying on clichés.
Recalling the work and the person of Jean-Claude Izzo will forever remain painful for those who knew him. Izzo was first and foremost a good person. It was impossible not to feel warmth for that sligh...

Notes:

The story is set in Marseilles, a city renowned for its beauty but also for its crime and corruption.
The protagonist, Fabio Montale, is a policeman struggling with the realities of his corrupt police department and his past.
Montale's two childhood friends, Manu and Ugo, are involved in a criminal underworld and meet tragic ends, prompting Montale to seek justice.
The novel explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the impact of crime on communities in a multicultural city.
Izzo paints Marseilles as a vibrant yet dangerous place filled with a melting pot of cultures, echoing the city's colonial past.
The book's noir style is gritty and focuses on the dark aspects of life in urban environments.
Food, specifically traditional dishes from the region, is a significant theme throughout the novel, reflecting the culture of Marseilles.
Izzo, who died prematurely in 2000, was a left-wing journalist, and his political beliefs influence the narrative.
The writing is described as simple yet evocative, capturing the complexities and conflicts in the city.
The Marseilles Trilogy consists of three books, with 'Total Chaos' being the first installment.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include violence, murder, and themes related to corruption and crime.

Has Romance?

There are romantic elements present, though they are secondary to the primary narrative of crime and investigation.

From The Publisher:

Book one in the Marseilles Trilogy

"Izzo's Marseilles is ravishing. Every street, cafe and house has its own character."

-Globe and Mail

Ugo, Manu, and Fabio grew up together on the mean streets of Marseilles, where friendship means everything. They promised to stay true to one another and swore that nothing would break their bond. But people and circumstances change. Ugo and Manu have been drawn into the criminal underworld of Europe's toughest, most violent and vibrant city. When Manu is murdered and Ugo returns from abroad to avenge his friend's death, only to be killed himself, it is left to the third in this trio, Detective Fabio Montale, to ensure justice is done. Despite warnings from both his colleagues in law enforcement and his acquaintances in the underworld, Montale cannot forget the promise he once made Manu and Ugo. He's going to find their killer even if it means going too far.

In Izzo's novels, Marseilles is explosive, tragic, breathtakingly beautiful and deadly. Asked to explain the astounding success of his now legendary Marseilles trilogy, Izzo credits his beloved native city: "Essentially, I think I have been rewarded for having depicted the real beauty of Marseilles, its gusto, its passion for life, and the ability of its inhabitants to drink life down to the last drop." Fabio Montale is the perfect protagonist in this city of melancholy beauty. A disenchanted cop with an inimitable talent for living who turns his back on a police force marred by corruption and racism and, in the name of friendship, takes the fight against the mafia into his own hands.

"Like the best noir writers-and make no mistake, he is among the best-Izzo [...] digs deep into what makes men weep."

-Time Out, New York

"Just as Raymond Chandler and James Ellroy made Los Angeles their very own, so Mr. Izzo has made Marseilles so much more than just another geographical setting."

-The Economist

"The Marseilles trilogy may be the most lyrical hard-boiled writing yet."

-The Nation

"Reading Izzo's novels, you're bound to cry sooner or later."

-Le Monde

"Rich, ambitious, and passionate."

-Washington Post

 
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