- Paperback: 225 pages
- Publisher: Vintage Books; 1st Vintage Crime/Black Lizard Ed edition (Aug 1994)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0679756817
- ISBN-13: 978-0679756811
- Product Dimensions: 20.3 x 13.4 x 1.7 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,581,493 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
From the author of the acclaimed Burke private-eye series comes an ambitious and chilling novel that shows us not only what evil is, but where it comes from. For Shella is nothing less than a tour of evil's spawning ground, conducted by one of its natural predators.
He is called "Ghost" because he is so nondescript as to be invisible and because he slays with such reflexive ease that he might be one of the dead. Once he traveled with a woman who was called "Shella" -- because those who had treated her as a horrendously ill-used child had tried to make her come out of her shell. Now Shella has vanished in a wilderness of strip clubs and peep shows, and Ghost is looking for her, guided by a killer's instinct and the recognition that can only exist between two people who have been damaged past the point of no return. The result is Andrew Vachss's most compelling work to date, the thriller reimagined as a bleak romance of the damned.
He is called "Ghost" because he is so nondescript as to be invisible and because he slays with such reflexive ease that he might be one of the dead. Once he traveled with a woman who was called "Shella" -- because those who had treated her as a horrendously ill-used child had tried to make her come out of her shell. Now Shella has vanished in a wilderness of strip clubs and peep shows, and Ghost is looking for her, guided by a killer's instinct and the recognition that can only exist between two people who have been damaged past the point of no return. The result is Andrew Vachss's most compelling work to date, the thriller reimagined as a bleak romance of the damned.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read a lot of crime novels and some of them can be pretty dark. I think that 'Shella' has taken the award for darkest. We follow a man named Ghost as he searches for his ex Shella after getting out of jail. Ghost is a one man killing machine but is not the cleverest of assassins so is often used by others for their own means. He has to kill for the knowledge he seeks but will the answers he finds be what he wants?
This is a short novel and can be read pretty quickly. The narrative is a bit strange jumping from the present to the past with abandon. The best element of the novel was the middle where the story settled down describing Ghost's time in a right wing camp. However, the beginning and end really lacked cohesion imo.
The characters are likeable enough but the conclusion left me deflated. Add to this the sheer rudeness of the book and a surreal and uncomfortable time was had. I caution those that read this to make sure they do not mind dark and rude books, but if they enjoy the likes of Palahniuk, this could be the choice for them.
An interesting novel let down by narrative flaws and an overdependence of rude words and actions. I look forward to reading more by Vachss as it is obvious there is more to offer.
This is a short novel and can be read pretty quickly. The narrative is a bit strange jumping from the present to the past with abandon. The best element of the novel was the middle where the story settled down describing Ghost's time in a right wing camp. However, the beginning and end really lacked cohesion imo.
The characters are likeable enough but the conclusion left me deflated. Add to this the sheer rudeness of the book and a surreal and uncomfortable time was had. I caution those that read this to make sure they do not mind dark and rude books, but if they enjoy the likes of Palahniuk, this could be the choice for them.
An interesting novel let down by narrative flaws and an overdependence of rude words and actions. I look forward to reading more by Vachss as it is obvious there is more to offer.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
We follow events thru the eyes the damaged & yet highly evolved protagonist, Ghost or John (or whatever), as he searches for his lost partner Shella. Vachss's pared-to-the-bone prose drives the narrative; a lot happens & not a word is wasted. Ghost operates in a cruel, violent subworld where lust, avarice, fear, hate & anger are the shaping forces. This is as good as this type of fiction gets, compelling & intriguing. As soon as the story had me hooked -- after a few paragraphs, that is -- I deferred all other activities except reading it until I'd finished it. Highly recommended to fans of modern noire.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is my favourite Vachss novel because I love its bitter sweet love story haiku. As the main character is named Ghost so the whole novel has a spectral, haunted atmosphere. We only get to know the things that we need to know and there's not an ounce of fat on these bones. I've read it at least three times now and each time, even though I know the ending, it still has an emotional kick. Ghost is Burke without his family. Readers of Burke novels will know exactly what I mean by this.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Vachss- story without Burke
Andrew Vachss is my favourite detective story writer. His style is unique, very realistic and tough. This book is not one of his best. Read more
Published on 11 Nov 2003 by Momi
v good
tho it's not a Burke story, this is probably my favourite of Vachss' novels, who is my favourite crime writer. So, highly rated.
Published on 11 April 2003
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