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bhnmt61's review
5.0
Lionel Essrog is an orphan living at a boys home in Brooklyn when a small time mobster named Frank recruits him and three other boys to help move stuff around the city. Lionel has Tourette’s syndrome, and his verbal tics are sometimes hilariously brilliant. Really enjoyed this one, although the denouement was weird. I need to find somebody else who has read it so we can talk about it.
stephibabes's review
4.0
It was so easy to like the lead character, Lionel. I felt the book was carried through on the strength of the characters and personal histories. I also did quite a bit of blurting of squarks of laughter (usually on the bus).
siriface's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
missyjohnson's review
3.0
I had picked this novel up a number of times the past couple of years and just could not get into it. When I saw the trailer for the movie, with Edward Norton playing the part of Essrog, well that was the motivation that I needed to read the book before seeing the movie. I will be curious to see if the movie is able to be interesting and not focus on the Tourettes as the book was able to do. The tics were just a part of Lionel and even though I felt sympathy for the character, the syndrome was not a focus and was not used for humor. I could see how his intelligence was dismissed because of the tics and easily rooted for him to be successful in the detective work. The story was not great but believable. Most of the characters were well developed even though I did find Kimmery less so.
sandiet's review
4.0
I loved this book. I did a combination of reading/listening and it was fabulous. The narrator Geoffrey Cantor brings so much life to Lionel. Motherless Brooklyn is a murder mystery; the main character is Lionel Essrog who is trying to figure out who murdered his criminal boss Frank Minna. Lionel suffers from Tourette's Syndrome and people discount his abilities, but Lionel has extraordinary recall and pays attention to every detail.
I saw the movie with Edward Norton in the lead role and at the time I didn't realize it was based on a book. However, the book is totally different from the movie and the author was okay with Ed Norton's interpretation. They are both quite excellent and I highly recommend.
I saw the movie with Edward Norton in the lead role and at the time I didn't realize it was based on a book. However, the book is totally different from the movie and the author was okay with Ed Norton's interpretation. They are both quite excellent and I highly recommend.
timeslime's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mogffm3's review
2.0
Solid 2.5.
Audio-version was just to tedious to listen to with his Tourette's. The character seemed to come alive, but there was just a reader mis-match as he was too pitiable, and the overall story with too many serious topics and grit.
I read for enjoyment and this book was brutal in the characterization of the main character's Tourette's and autism, and the negative impact it had on his life, it left me a bit sadder than when I started.
Audio-version was just to tedious to listen to with his Tourette's. The character seemed to come alive, but there was just a reader mis-match as he was too pitiable, and the overall story with too many serious topics and grit.
I read for enjoyment and this book was brutal in the characterization of the main character's Tourette's and autism, and the negative impact it had on his life, it left me a bit sadder than when I started.
categj's review
4.0
Lionel Essrog is an unforgettable character, likeable, funny, and smart. Jonathan Letham is a wonderful writer, the characters in "Motherless Brooklyn" are well developed and the setting was very "New York". The story was well-crafted. Lionel, who has Tourette's Syndrome makes an unlikely detective.
The story of Minna's Men unfolds as Lionel stumbles into a murder that hits close to home and he is determined to get to the truth. Following his intuition and using his street smarts and instincts, he braves car chases, beatings, gun play by hired thugs, old mobsters, strangers and friends to finally crack the case.
I would highly recommend this book — it was a great read.
The story of Minna's Men unfolds as Lionel stumbles into a murder that hits close to home and he is determined to get to the truth. Following his intuition and using his street smarts and instincts, he braves car chases, beatings, gun play by hired thugs, old mobsters, strangers and friends to finally crack the case.
I would highly recommend this book — it was a great read.
nderiley's review
2.0
I'll be honest, I was relieved when a book on my library shelf came off hold and I could stop reading Motherless Brooklyn. This is my second attempt at a Jonathan Lethem book and again I am impressed by his prose but in contrast to the other reviewers, I couldn't STAND reading through the tics. Sure I'll afford that it makes for a different and interesting narrator but that's the only value-add I can see and it doesn't outweigh the irritant for me.