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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Compelling and entertaining read, 10 Oct 2002
Jake La Motta (along with Joseph Carter) writes his autobiography, detailing his violent life, from his childood of gambling, fighting, stealing, and murder, to his life in the ring, his struggle to become champ, his run-ins with the mafia, and to his eventual retirement, where he faces his inner demons.What is so surprising about the novel is how it is written.... the atttention to detail, the use of language and words. This does not feel like an auobiography written by a punch-drunk boxer, but a story told with great skill and warmth. There is a fond rememberance of his childhood, but La Motta doesn't disguise the fact he was an evil, violent person, and in some cases, yes, he does try to explai why he did such actions, but I got the feeling he has just accepted what he had done was bad. Of course, La Motta's story has been transformed to the big screen by such talents as Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro (quite possibly their best fim), but their adaptation, if truth be told, is not an accurate loo at La Motta's life. They have only used La Motta's autobiography to tell a tale - and admittedly a great one. Events have been altered, some made up, some non-existent, but it's all for purpose. Fans of boxing and fans of the movie should definately read this, if only to make comparison's to Scorsese's masterpiece. Also, for an interesting read, pick up 'Raging Bull II: Continuing the story of Jake La Motta', an interesting read that carries on where the original left off, and goes into the making of the movie from La Motta's point of view.Either way, a fabulous read, often shocking, violent, and cruel, but also very funny, humerous in many parts.
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by Christian Giudice
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