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kathleenitpdx's review
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
jenniferworrell's review against another edition
5.0
I read The Havana Room (Harrison) because of an excerpt example in a craft book (can't remember what or why, but I digress). It's an interesting book to study from. I hope someday I can write even a little bit like this guy.
I'm now ordering this as a bit of a craft book in itself. I'd say a good 75% of it is narration, and it's beautifully done. There's a sentence that's 3-1/2 PAGES long, with a fantastic, lyrical rhythm. The MC is your average fella, but I was completely drawn in from the start and worried for him. I was on the edge of my seat towards the end, when all the crazy, inexplicable details came together. Incredible, beautiful writing. The ending does get a little nuts, and the details are a bit expository at that point, and there are a couple contrivances with a character or two near the end, but I didn't care.
I live in Chicago, where the subways are frequently nasty. But as I read mostly on my train rides to and from work, I could not wait to board just so I could get back to my book. A must-read, for sure.
I'm now ordering this as a bit of a craft book in itself. I'd say a good 75% of it is narration, and it's beautifully done. There's a sentence that's 3-1/2 PAGES long, with a fantastic, lyrical rhythm. The MC is your average fella, but I was completely drawn in from the start and worried for him. I was on the edge of my seat towards the end, when all the crazy, inexplicable details came together. Incredible, beautiful writing. The ending does get a little nuts, and the details are a bit expository at that point, and there are a couple contrivances with a character or two near the end, but I didn't care.
I live in Chicago, where the subways are frequently nasty. But as I read mostly on my train rides to and from work, I could not wait to board just so I could get back to my book. A must-read, for sure.
williamc's review against another edition
3.0
A very nicely written, engaging thriller that follows what seems to be the pattern for Colin Harrison’s novels: a man is taken from his family, and the familiar comforts of financial stability and status, and dragged through the gutters that vein the vivid underbelly of New York City. The characters are sharp, sexy, believable, and the story compels you to follow it through. A minor disappointment in The Havana Room is that the concluding revelations seemed to overlap too conveniently among the cast of characters, but it’s not a flaw that should stop anyone from enjoying this book, or the brilliant, earlier novel, [b:Manhattan Nocturne|873804|Manhattan Nocturne|Colin Harrison|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179094311s/873804.jpg|565594].
wordlover's review
4.0
Outstanding NY noir - a cut above most mysteries - gorgeous writing, deep human insights, intricate, flawless plotting - really outstanding.
borisfeldman's review
5.0
Dare I say it?
If you read only one novel this Summer, it should be this one.
There, I've said it.
If you read only one novel this Summer, it should be this one.
There, I've said it.
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