Drama City (Abridged) Audiobook

" This book served as the template of my favorite character in The Wire: Dennis "Cutty" Wise. Entertaining to get some more insight into the character. "

" Kind of like watching an episode of the Wire. Good read. "

" I was late to The Wire, only watching the first three seasons (actually, in full disclosure, I've still still to watch the last two season three episodes) over the last few months. But I'd heard of this Pelecanos guy because of his connection to the show, and my library has half a dozen of his novels at the ready every time I pass the Ps. I wanted something lighter and noir-ish but the cover design reminded me of the kind of shit my dad read (e.g. Tom Clancy), and I hate both that shit and my dad, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Drama City turned out pretty well. After starting the novel I realized abused animals were at the forefront (a main character works for animal control) and wasn't sure if I wanted to continue. I can't stand animal abuse, even in fiction. But the storyline flowed and rose beyond the spinning-paperback-rack thriller level. The dogs mirror the dealers, esp. the broken youth beyond rehabilitation. Pelecanos keeps the storyline complex and fluid, his characters flawed, and his details fresh. So Drama City felt like time well-spent, although I'm not panting (please note dog reference) for the rest of his work. I'll check his catalog out in, if you will, a leisurely fashion. The definition of three stars. No fist-pumping enthusiasm, better than okay. "

" Flat, clunky, obvious, melodramatic. "

" For those who like their stories short sweet and too the point, this was one for them. A "tight" read. "

" I did not care for this story at all. It was too slow with too many depressing characters. The combination of ex cons, drugs and animals did little to contribute in an interesting way. 0 of 10 stars. "

" This book started off slow a lot of story line with minor drama was kinda hard to hold my attention and then everything started to come together and It got gruesome. So I'll give this 3 stars maybe even 4 :) It was cool. "

" Laid-back Pelecanos means that he spends more time painting the landscape of his beloved D.C. This tale shows parole officers, animal control officers, and drug-gang soldiers just trying to get through day-to-day...and that isn't always as easy as it seems. Very enjoyable and short on dramatic contrivances (despite the title). "

" I really enjoy his Shane Scully series( The Viking Funeral) and his stand alone (The Night Gardener) so I had high hopes for this book. Sadly it failed to even come close to a good story, I read it at the pool while the children swam, so I wouldn't be bored. Being bored would of been a better thing. "

" good insight into the world of the drug dealers in big city US "

" This was my first Pelecanos books and I enjoyed the story and characters immensely. Would have never heard about this writer had it not been for this particular book being shown in a scene on the HBO hit show "The Wire." "

" I'm sure there are people who would like this book but not me. It was listed as a mystery and i got about 40 pages in and no hint of mystery. To be honest this book was so depressing I didn't finish it. "

" Top of the class in this genre! "

" Meh. I expect more from one of the primary writers of The Wire. I'll give George a second chance on account of his involvement with the Best Television Program Ever. Suggestions? "

" Enjoyed this audiobook. Excellent reader. "

" An animal control cop is a surprising badass in this otherwise unsurprising tale of gangsterism. The PO, while sexy, is predictable as hell. Still there was some cool shit that happened and some guns got fired so that's always good. "

" Very good read in the contemporary style of Mr. Pelecanos. While not a nail-biter with each page, his writing makes you feel the anguish of a big city existence. You will not be disappointed by spending your time with this work. "

" Recommended for fans of "The Wire." It would have gotten a higher rating except for the ending.... "

" Just what I've come to expect from Pelecanos - taut, hard-boiled, gritty police/detective fiction. No one captures the rhythms of the inner city street quite like he does. "

" I tried to read this before, and gave up after the first pointless sexual encounter. This time I finished it, and remain unimpressed. This seems just the sketch of a novel. I think Pelecanos can do much better. "

" Somewhere between 3 and a half and 4 stars. Much better than The Turnaround, with much the same subject matter. My favorite of his is still King Suckerman but this is a good one, more "mature" and sociological etc "

" Starts slow but has a good story line and references a lot of DC street knowledge "

" I've read books by this author before and really liked them. I couldn't even finish this one. "

" I read this on the plane from Santa Barbara to Boston and I have to say it kept me riveted all the way. Pelecanos really has an amazing talent for dialogue and character development, as well as storytelling. "

" Author tried too hard to prove that he knows DC. "

" I don't know why I read this book, something different maybe? This book is ok if you'd like to learn the bad neighborhoods of DC, and which corners belong to which drug lords. Otherwise, skip it, and apparently it's the first in a series? hmmm.. "

" A forgettable crime novel. I'd always wanted to try reading Pelecanos, since I'm a fan of the Wire, but this book was underwhelming. It did remind me of the Wire somewhat though... and it was interesting to me being set in D.C. But I will probably forget everything about it in about 2 days. "

" Intriguing tale of crime on the streets of Washington D.C. "