Books matching: gritty urban life
30 result(s)
Readers also searched for:
- #1
Save:Clockers by Richard Price is a gritty and realistic portrayal of life on the streets, focusing on the intertwined stories of a black drug seller named Strike and a white homicide detective named Rocco in a New Jersey city. The book delves deep into the world of drug trade, dirty cops, racial profiling, and the moral complexities faced by its characters. Price's writing style is described as excellent, detailed, and deeply researched, with a focus on creating authentic and flawed characters that feel real and relatable.
STRIKE spotted her: baby fat, baby face, Shanelle or Shanette, fourteen years old maybe, standing there with that queasy smile, trying to work up the nerve. He looked away, seeing her two months from ... - #2
Save:The Whites by Harry Brandt (Richard Price) is a gritty police procedural novel set in New York City, following NYPD detective Billy Graves and his colleagues from the Wild Geese unit. The story revolves around the concept of 'whites,' cases that haunt cops - criminals they failed to catch. As these 'whites' start turning up dead, Billy finds himself investigating while also dealing with personal challenges, including a stalker targeting his family. The writing style is described as rich, engaging, and morally ambiguous, delving into complex characters and ethical dilemmas within the police force.
As Billy Graves drove down Second Avenue to work, the crowds worried him: a quarter past one in the morning and there were still far more people piling into the bars than leaving them, everyone coming... - #3Drownby:
Save:'Drown' by Junot Diaz is a collection of short stories that explore the experiences of Dominican immigrants, particularly focusing on the themes of immigration, family dynamics, poverty, and the struggles of assimilation in the USA. The stories are interconnected, following characters like Yunior and his family as they navigate the challenges of living in the Dominican Republic and later in New Jersey. Diaz's writing style is described as stark, blunt, and emotionally impactful, offering a raw portrayal of the immigrant experience and the complexities of relationships within a family.
We were on our way to the colmado for an errand, a beer for my tío, when Rafa stood still and tilted his head, as if listening to a message I couldn’t hear, something beamed in from afar. We were clos... - #4
Save:Homeboy by Seth Morgan is a gritty and intense novel that delves into the dark underbelly of San Francisco's North Beach and Tenderloin districts. The story follows Joe Speaker, a strip show barker who gets inadvertently involved in a vicious killing, leading him into a world of drugs, crime, and corruption. The writing style is described as rich and descriptive, with a unique narrative that immerses the reader into a world filled with unforgettable and tragic characters.
That afternoon was the first time in her bustout life Rings’n’Things had met a man who wanted to know her real name before banging her silly. Daddy didn’t count—naming her after Rosemary Clooney was h... - #5
Save:'A Demon in My View' by Ruth Rendell is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the twisted mind of loner Arthur Johnson, a middle-aged man living in a London boarding house. The story follows Arthur's disturbing urges towards women and his unique way of controlling his dark impulses. As the plot unfolds, the reader is introduced to a diverse group of characters living in the same house, providing a backdrop for the tension and suspense to slowly build. The narrative skillfully navigates through Arthur's unsettling psyche, creating a chilling yet compelling exploration of psychological depth and human behavior.
The houses were warrens for people, little anthills of discomfort. Almost each one, built to accommodate a single family, had been segmented into four or five separate units. Ungracious living was evi... - #6
Save:High Life by Matthew Stokoe is a dark and gritty tale set in Los Angeles, following the protagonist Jack as his life spirals into chaos after the brutal murder of his wife. Introduced to a world of snuff shows, prostitution, and drugs, Jack becomes entangled in a web of depravity and violence. The story is filled with despicable characters engaging in heinous acts, creating a brutal and unforgiving atmosphere reminiscent of noir crime movies. Despite its disturbing content, readers are captivated by the unique writing style and the mystery surrounding the crime.
In a city where depravity knows no bounds for those with money, Jack navigates a world of perversion and power in his quest for fame and success. As he encounters characters like Bella and Ryan, each more twisted than the last, Jack's journey into the dark underbelly of Hollywood unfolds, revealing a story of desperation, longing, and the lengths one will go to achieve their dreams.
A hot rain blew in from the sea. It hit Ocean Avenue in sticky washes of reflected neon that took the colored light from the hotels and stores and ran it into the gutters with the trash. In Palisades ... - #7
Save:'Smack' by Melvin Burgess follows the story of two teenage runaways, Tar and Gemma, who spiral into heroin addiction while living in squats in Bristol, UK. The narrative is told from multiple perspectives, giving insight into the characters' struggles with addiction, homelessness, and self-deception. The writing style is described as honest, brutal, and realistic, providing a vivid portrayal of the challenges faced by young addicts in the 1980s.
‘I’m hungry,’ complained the girl. The boy turned on a torch and peered inside a grey canvas rucksack behind him. ‘There’s an apple.’ ‘Nah. Any crisps left?’ ‘Nope.’ Gemma sighed and leaned back in th... - #8
Save:'Last Exit to Brooklyn' by Hubert Selby Jr. is a raw and brutally honest portrayal of life in the projects of Brooklyn in the 1950s. The book delves into the sordid side of American culture, depicting poverty, prostitution, alcoholism, drugs, and sexual perversion, painting a stark contrast to the wholesome image often associated with that era. Through a series of interconnected short stories, the novel explores the lives of vile low-life criminals, hookers, drag queens, dealers, and addicts, offering a relentless journey into America's underbelly post-WWII. Selby's writing style is described as raw, crude, and dark, capturing the gritty reality of urban life with searing detail and unfiltered honesty.
The characters in 'Last Exit to Brooklyn' are portrayed as deeply flawed and often despicable, engaging in acts of violence, abuse, and degradation. Selby's narrative weaves together these individual stories, showcasing the struggles and dreams of people living on the margins of society in Brooklyn. The book presents a stream of consciousness account of urban life, with each character's experiences adding layers to the overall depiction of a harsh and unforgiving environment. Despite the grim subject matter, the novel is praised for its powerful storytelling and the unapologetic way in which Selby captures the complexities of human nature in extreme circumstances.
For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a... - #9
Save:"Rosemary's Baby" by Ira Levin revolves around a young wife, Rosemary Woodhouse, who finds herself entangled in an occult plot to steal her baby for Satanistic rituals after it is born. The story is told solely through Rosemary's eyes, creating a sense of being trapped with her as she navigates through eerie occurrences and reaches a horrifying conclusion. The plot unfolds in contemporary New York City, skillfully crafted by Levin to build mounting suspense and a sense of dread throughout the narrative.
The writing style in "Rosemary's Baby" is described as simple, engrossing, and suspenseful by readers. Levin's storytelling is praised for its subtle yet creepy elements, with a slow buildup of tension leading to a chilling finale. is noted for its ability to delve into themes of satanism, witchcraft, and the fear surrounding motherhood, all set against a backdrop of everyday details that add to the overall sinister atmosphere.
ROSEMARY AND GUY WOODHOUSE had signed a lease on a five-room apartment in a geometric white house on First Avenue when they received word, from a woman named Mrs. Cortez, that a four-room apartment in... - #10
Save:'Requiem for a Dream' by Hubert Selby Jr. is a dark and gritty novel that delves into the lives of four individuals in Brooklyn - Harry, Tyrone, Marion, and Sara - as they navigate through addiction, poverty, and the pursuit of the American Dream. The book portrays the characters' downward spiral into drug addiction and the illusions of a better life, while also critiquing modern society's obsession with materialism and unattainable goals. Selby's writing style, characterized by heavy Brooklyn accents, long sentences, and a unique narrative structure, draws readers in and immerses them in the harsh realities of the characters' lives.
HARRY LOCKED HIS MOTHER in the closet. Harold. Please. Not again the TV. Okay, okay, Harry opened the door, then stop playin games with my head. He started walking across the room toward the televisio...
