- Paperback: 304 pages
- Publisher: Pocket Books (Feb 1997)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0671004662
- ISBN-13: 978-0671004668
- Product Dimensions: 20.1 x 14 x 2.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,296,935 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Review
"Mario Puzo collides with Norman Rockwell in a compelling tale of past crimes and present consequences" - Max Allan Collins (Road to Perdition)"
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
Product Description
A stunning and uniquely cinematic tale of crime and retribution, soon to be a major movie from David Cronenberg. It was just another quiet day at McKenna's Diner - until a couple of wanted killers walked in looking for trouble. Instead, they got bullets, and Tom McKenna got to be an instant celebrity. That got him attention from the kind of people who never forget a face - even after twenty years. Now, Tom must confront a group of cold-blooded mobsters intent on settling the score. Much as he might deny it, he's a man with a history of violence - and with the lives of his family in the balance, he'll make sure his secret past stays buried forever.
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I wouldnt agree with the reviews which suggest that A History Of Violence [DVD] [2005] was a bad film, I thought it was pretty good but it was an amazing graphic novel.
I bought it when I found it by accident in a comic shop and didnt make the connection with the film of the same name right away, while there are similarities, its only similarities. Thematically they are both about a man who has repented of a violent past, involving the mob but who cant escape the legacy. However the film departs in a big way, possibly because it is just so, so shocking from both the content and the conclusion of the book.
While the lead character having disfigured someone with barbed wire is hinted at in the film its actually portrayed in the book, there is further content which is even more shocking and sick. I would also credit this book for a number of sudden reversals which left me wondering right up to the finish how it would end and actually praying that it would have a happy ending rather than a sick tragic finish. There are not a lot of books or films or any media which can accomplish that.
While there is not the same musing about violence or ambivalence as in the film there is a kind of contrasting of the expedient and the pathological or totally sadistic and psychopathic. There is not the same ability to portray the kinds of emotional competence or self-control which the protagonist has to display in order to be able to deploy force, violence, in the way that he does or how he maintains the double life/new persona. However there are great narrative captions which give better clues to the thinking of characters and back story.
I highly recommend this book, especially to fans of books like Road to Perdition, which is not unlike it in some respects.
I bought it when I found it by accident in a comic shop and didnt make the connection with the film of the same name right away, while there are similarities, its only similarities. Thematically they are both about a man who has repented of a violent past, involving the mob but who cant escape the legacy. However the film departs in a big way, possibly because it is just so, so shocking from both the content and the conclusion of the book.
While the lead character having disfigured someone with barbed wire is hinted at in the film its actually portrayed in the book, there is further content which is even more shocking and sick. I would also credit this book for a number of sudden reversals which left me wondering right up to the finish how it would end and actually praying that it would have a happy ending rather than a sick tragic finish. There are not a lot of books or films or any media which can accomplish that.
While there is not the same musing about violence or ambivalence as in the film there is a kind of contrasting of the expedient and the pathological or totally sadistic and psychopathic. There is not the same ability to portray the kinds of emotional competence or self-control which the protagonist has to display in order to be able to deploy force, violence, in the way that he does or how he maintains the double life/new persona. However there are great narrative captions which give better clues to the thinking of characters and back story.
I highly recommend this book, especially to fans of books like Road to Perdition, which is not unlike it in some respects.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A History of Violence is a gripping, hard-hitting crime thriller, where two young boys misadventures with the mob lead to devastating reprisals twenty years later. A real change of tone from Judge Dredd creator John Wagner, coupled with some scratchy but appropriately grimy black and white artwork from Cannibal Corpse cover-artist Vince Locke. The format is interesting too, abandoning the usual graphic novel size for a thick paperback novel format. Maybe a touch too long, and the boys gung-ho attack on the mob doesn’t really convince, but this is still a good solid dark crime comic.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I recently picked up this item as im a huge fan of the film so wanted to see the source material. So the story is set in a small town, one day a couple of killers stumble upon this place and hold up the local cafe, big mistake. I won't spoil anymore of the story and it held my interest throughout. Unfortantely the characters just arent fleshed out enough for my liking, the wife and kids are just there in the background or as props, they don't add anything to story at all. The big event in the protagonists past is far fetched and I have to say I disliked this part of the plot.
The artwork by Vince Locke is rendered in a very scratchy loose style, in black and white which adds a bit of gravitas to the images. The art is good but not exactly the kind of thing you might want to have a print of on your wall.
Lastly i just have to say something about the film as I have seen other reviews moaning about Hollywood messing it up. Nonsense. Cronenberg (one of the most interesting filmmakers of the past 30 years) has developed the source material into a psychological story about characters, about having a history of violence that runs through your veins that once revealed is unable to be forgotten by the family.
So to sum up its a good read with artwork that enhances the story but for a more intellectually stimulating experience watch the film unless you are a graphic novel lover.
The artwork by Vince Locke is rendered in a very scratchy loose style, in black and white which adds a bit of gravitas to the images. The art is good but not exactly the kind of thing you might want to have a print of on your wall.
Lastly i just have to say something about the film as I have seen other reviews moaning about Hollywood messing it up. Nonsense. Cronenberg (one of the most interesting filmmakers of the past 30 years) has developed the source material into a psychological story about characters, about having a history of violence that runs through your veins that once revealed is unable to be forgotten by the family.
So to sum up its a good read with artwork that enhances the story but for a more intellectually stimulating experience watch the film unless you are a graphic novel lover.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Amazing graphic novel
I must admit I've never seen the film, and I can see that this is a graphic novel that could be easily translated into a gore fest with little delicacy. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Jo Bennie
An amazing Graphic Novel thoroughly destroyed by Hollywood.
If you have seen the film remake of this popular graphic novel then forget how atrociously bad it was and read this. Read more
Published on 12 Mar 2007 by Sam J. Ruddock
Great Book
This was a GREAT book. It kept you captivated and
worked to keep you guessing. It was similar to watching a good mystery movie.
worked to keep you guessing. It was similar to watching a good mystery movie.
Published on 17 Sep 1997
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