Sunday, September 20, 2009

The Friends of Eddie Coyle by George V. Higgins

Our REAL AUTHOR friend, Charlie Stella recommended this book that he thinks is not only one of the best of its genre ever, he also thinks it could be one of the best novels ever. Now I am not literate enough to make a statement like that, but I will say that this is one seriously good story. No kidding.

Eddie Coyle is due to go back to prison, but maybe he can cut a deal by exchanging information for some leniency. The story revolves around the various low life characters and crimes that frequent Eddie’s life. Really, that’s the story and Eddie isn’t even all that present as an upfront character. But you would be wrong if that doesn’t look interesting because Mr. Higgins seems to be the source of so much of what we see in today’s crime dialogue, plotting, and story telling.

Look at the authors we have posted here; books by Charlie Stella, George Pelecanos, Richard Price, Ken Bruen, Michael Connelly, T Jefferson Parker, and more. Look at the dialogue and economy of description and I dare you to say that you can’t see elements of the Higgins style. It’s a master class that has many students. I used to think one could point back to Dashell Hammitt’s Maltese Falcon, but that was different from this. Higgins’ pacing and dialogue kept me hammered to my seat. If all those people with their head stuffed in the latest Dan Brown book (including my son…WCDon expected because you do read other writers!) would read the Higgins’ novels recommended by our friend Stella, they might see how real dialogue is written (I did a little search on Dan Brown reviews and the common complaint is mind numbing dialogue). I found out first hand just why crime novels are continually compared to Higgins. Thanks to Mr. Stella for steering us in the right direction. Now to see the DVD to see how well/bad Hollywood treated it . . . and to read the other two Stella recommended Higgins books: Digger’s Game and Cogan’s Trade.

East Coast Don

1 comment:

  1. Nice review. The master (Higgins) died 10 years ago this November. The movie (with Peter Boyle and Robert Mitchum, directed by Peter Yates is a very good depiction of the book). Some classic lines you'll recognize from the novel and delivered by wonderful actors. The guy who played Jackie Brown delivers my favorite Higgins line: "This life's hard, but it's harder if you're stupid."

    And Eddie ... "Count your own fuckin' knuckles."

    Bella ...

    And trust me, The Digger's Game & Cogan's Trade are equally as masterful (not plot wise, but the dialogue is often better).

    Two more to look at (if you haven't already). Daniel Woodrell (Tomato Red and/or Winter's Bone) and Craig McDonald (Toros & Torsos); both GREAT. Those two writers are at the top of the crime writing game right now.

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