Fantstic (Mystic River - Dennis Lehane)

Name: sungold98

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Product:	Mystic River - Dennis Lehane
Date:	28/10/07 (2 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Atmospheric and visually exciting

Disadvantages: I lost the plot a bit in the middle

This book is so much better than the film!
The first Dennis Lehane book I read was A Drink Before the War, which I loved because of its atmospheric quality. This is continued in his other novels, this one included. The writing is very visual, and you can see how it was considered ideal for a film. Somehow, Lehane manages to put intensely vivid pictures into your head while you are reading, although this is unexpected because it is not wordy or arty.
The book is very much about family values, looking after one's own, keeping outsiders out. It is set in the 'wrong' side of town, which is controlled by a sort of mini-mafia. This is set against the crisp clean police force and the advance of the yuppie housing estates. At the end, I was wondering whether the ends justified the means.

Summary: Lehane is a brilliant writer. Book is much better than the film.