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greenblack's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
yorugua1891's review against another edition
5.0
Ken Bruen has steadily become one of my favorite authors. I read through this novel in one sitting and it left me eager to start the next one, which I will hopefully do in the next few days.
Bruen has a very particular writing style, and I can see how it will not work for everyone. Those that are looking for a novel that uses the same prose every other author out there uses will find themselves out of their comfort zone. However, if you are looking for something special, with a main character that is completely captivating and has many more flaws than admirable qualities, then you should give this series a try.
As if all this was not enough, the end of this novel is so shocking it left me frozen for a minute. Bruen provides the reader with raw and brutal plots and does not pull any punches. Better get ready!
Bruen has a very particular writing style, and I can see how it will not work for everyone. Those that are looking for a novel that uses the same prose every other author out there uses will find themselves out of their comfort zone. However, if you are looking for something special, with a main character that is completely captivating and has many more flaws than admirable qualities, then you should give this series a try.
As if all this was not enough, the end of this novel is so shocking it left me frozen for a minute. Bruen provides the reader with raw and brutal plots and does not pull any punches. Better get ready!
kdance's review against another edition
1.0
Without a doubt the worst book I have ever read, and that is taking into account its one redeeming feature, that I am from Galway and enjoyed recognising names and places. Awful, just awful.
evecdl's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Child death, and Alcoholism
mariasmusings's review against another edition
3.0
Funny in parts, but I did not like the ending - literally the final paragraphs. In future, I shall stick with the TV adaptions.
angrygreycatreads's review against another edition
5.0
This is book 4 in the Jack Taylor series which the TV show is based upon. I hesitate to say I enjoy these books because they are somewhat of an emotional rollercoaster, depressing, upsetting, even maddening at points and The Dramatist is no exception. It would be easy to say that Jack Taylor is his own worst enemy but unfortunately that isn’t the case, he has plenty of enemies.
This book starts with Jack in an unusual place, cold stone sober, off drink and drugs and trying to limit the cigarettes. His dealer is in prison and asks for a favor that drags Jack into a case that no one else even thinks is a case yet. Amid all that Jack deals with his mother, who is at the end of her tortured life, the jealous husband of an old lover, and a vigilante crew, seeking justice in their own way. The resolution is just as depressing and upsetting as Jack Taylor’s life.
I keep reading these because the writing is just that good, the sense of place is completely immersive, and Jack Taylor is a complex and engaging character. I will definitely keep reading this series, but I would caution anyone starting it that it pretty much has to be read in order. Galway is developed as a “small village” and Jack runs into people from previous books constantly. I think it would be difficult to understand all the nuances of the interactions without having read the earlier books.
This book starts with Jack in an unusual place, cold stone sober, off drink and drugs and trying to limit the cigarettes. His dealer is in prison and asks for a favor that drags Jack into a case that no one else even thinks is a case yet. Amid all that Jack deals with his mother, who is at the end of her tortured life, the jealous husband of an old lover, and a vigilante crew, seeking justice in their own way. The resolution is just as depressing and upsetting as Jack Taylor’s life.
I keep reading these because the writing is just that good, the sense of place is completely immersive, and Jack Taylor is a complex and engaging character. I will definitely keep reading this series, but I would caution anyone starting it that it pretty much has to be read in order. Galway is developed as a “small village” and Jack runs into people from previous books constantly. I think it would be difficult to understand all the nuances of the interactions without having read the earlier books.
jmeston's review against another edition
3.0
I admired the author's will in making Jack Taylor so fallible in this series, we see him making so many wrong decisions that hurt himself and others. But with the loss at the end of this novel I've lost my own distance and ability to appreciate the art of Jack's flailing. I am not interested in pursuing this anti hero any further.
catherine_t's review against another edition
4.0
Jack Taylor, newly sober, is hired by his former drug dealer Stewart, who's currently in Mountjoy prison, to look into the death of his sister. Sarah Bradley was a university student. She was found dead in the house she shared with two other girls, apparently from an accidental fall down the stairs. But a book by J. M. Synge was found under her body. According to her brother, Sarah disliked Synge and wouldn't even have a copy of any of his works; the book didn't belong to the other girls, either.
As Jack begins a half-hearted investigation, his personal life and his case collide...
It's really hard to sum up a Ken Bruen novel with a bare-bones account of the plot. To be honest, the plot is really just a frame to hang the real meat of the story on. What you're after in one of Bruen's novels isn't so much the story but the characters, and Bruen's pared-down prose.
Bruen's prose is brutal, gut-wrenching, and poetic. His characters are all anti-heroes; nobody pure of heart walks the streets of Galway. And they are all compelling. If you haven't read his novels, yet, what are you waiting for?
As Jack begins a half-hearted investigation, his personal life and his case collide...
It's really hard to sum up a Ken Bruen novel with a bare-bones account of the plot. To be honest, the plot is really just a frame to hang the real meat of the story on. What you're after in one of Bruen's novels isn't so much the story but the characters, and Bruen's pared-down prose.
Bruen's prose is brutal, gut-wrenching, and poetic. His characters are all anti-heroes; nobody pure of heart walks the streets of Galway. And they are all compelling. If you haven't read his novels, yet, what are you waiting for?
stevemcdede's review against another edition
3.0
The thinnest thread of a crime story runs through the Jack Taylor books, which is perhaps why I enjoy them. This one had a bit more meat on it which I did appreciate. I have tried to figure out why I like these books. I'm going with the character and the writing style.