by Richard Price
|
by Richard Price
|
by Richard Price
|
by Richard Price
|
by David Simon
|
See buying choices for this item to see if it's one of the millions that are eligible for Amazon Prime.
|
Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Richard Price's Samaritan, like his previous novels Freedomland and Clockers, is a crime drama set in the explosive slums of fictional Dempsy, New Jersey. Ray Mitchell, a former TV writer, has returned to his home town to reunite with his estranged teenage daughter, Ruby. Eager to contribute to his beleaguered community, Ray volunteers as a writing teacher at a local high school. When a brutal assault leaves him hospitalised, Nerese Ammons, a nearly retired detective and lost childhood friend of Ray's, investigates. She discovers, however, that while Ray can identify his attacker, he is unwilling to disclose their identity. Anxious to end her career with fireworks, Nerese continues digging, only to find that Ray made several generous donations to poor acquaintances and recently began a romantic relationship with the wife of an established criminal. While the case looks closed, Nerese continues to find evidence of Ray's troubled past and short-sighted altruism, increasing the number of possible assailants and suggesting Ray's complicity in the crime.
Richard Price's Samaritan, like his previous novels Freedomland and Clockers, is a crime drama set in the explosive slums of fictional Dempsy, New Jersey. Ray Mitchell, a former TV writer, has returned to his home town to reunite with his estranged teenage daughter, Ruby. Eager to contribute to his beleaguered community, Ray volunteers as a writing teacher at a local high school. When a brutal assault leaves him hospitalised, Nerese Ammons, a nearly retired detective and lost childhood friend of Ray's, investigates. She discovers, however, that while Ray can identify his attacker, he is unwilling to disclose their identity. Anxious to end her career with fireworks, Nerese continues digging, only to find that Ray made several generous donations to poor acquaintances and recently began a romantic relationship with the wife of an established criminal. While the case looks closed, Nerese continues to find evidence of Ray's troubled past and short-sighted altruism, increasing the number of possible assailants and suggesting Ray's complicity in the crime.
Price's narrative, which alternates between Ray's story and Nerese's ongoing investigation, gains momentum as the mystery nears resolution. Samaritan falters, though, in its awkward attempts at timeliness and, more acutely, in its underdevelopment. The selfish, people-pleasing Ray is a multifaceted character, but he fails to inspire sympathy, while the savvy Nerese never escapes two-dimensional limbo. Price brings the streets of Dempsy to life, however, with informed, realistic descriptions and inner-city survivors such as junkie-turned-independent-social-worker White Tom Potenza, who still "couldn't pass a pay phone without flicking the coin return, still stopped dead in his tracks at the sight of salvageable debris". While the plot will keep readers engaged, it's the world into which they're drawn that makes Samaritan a worthwhile visit. --Ross Doll, Amazon.com
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
'Richard Price is the finest writer about contemporary urban America on the planet, and SAMARITAN confirms it. This writer is at the peak of his powers a story so good you never want it to end' Daily Mail 'He is one of those rare writers who doesn't see why an ability to entertain and enthrall should come at a cost' Evening Standard 'Powerful Wise The novel is alive because writers like Price are crafting books like SAMARITAN' Time 'A crafty whodunnit and a compelling character study wholly believable and blessed with wire-sharp wit. The Projects are the most affecting character of all, though - life-draining smears across the landscape that bear silent witness to the poverty and despair behind the American dream. One of the books of the year' Uncut
See all Product Description
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?
 |
59% buy the item featured on this page: Samaritan |
 |
12% buy Lush Life £4.79 |
 |
11% buy Clockers £4.99 |
 |
10% buy The Wanderers (Bloomsbury Classic Reads) £4.79 |
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
Customer Discussions
Beta (What's this?)|
This product's forum
(0 discussions)
Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Active discussions in related forums
|
Related forums
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
The Body Shop |
Up to 53% off Braun Series Shavers |
Treat Someone
With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is). |
||||||||
| |||||
Your Recent History
(What's this?)|
You have no recently viewed items or searches.
After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session. |
Continue Shopping: Top Sellers
| ||||
Amazon Home | |
| International Sites: United States | Germany | France | Japan | Canada | China | |
| Business Programs: Sell on Amazon | Fulfilment by Amazon | Join Associates | Join Advantage | |
| Customer Service | Help | View Basket | Your Account | |
| About Amazon.co.uk | Careers at Amazon | |
| Conditions of Use & Sale | Privacy Notice © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates |