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Gangster (Abridged): A Novel Audiobook
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(4.01) - 832 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Love. Violence. Destiny. These powerful themes ricochet through Lorenzo Carcaterra’s new novel like bullets from a machine gun. In Gangster, he surpasses even his bestselling Sleepers to create a brutal and brilliant American saga of murder, forgiveness, and redemption. Born in the midst of tragedy and violence and raised in the shadow of a shocking secret, young Angelo Vestieri chooses to flee both his past and his father to seek a second family—the criminals who preside over early 20th century New York. In his bloody rise from soldier to mob boss, he encounters ever more barbaric betrayals—in friendship, in his brutal business, in love—yet simultaneously comes to understand the meaning of loyalty, the virtue of relationships, and gains a perspective on the lonely, if powerful, life he has chosen. As the years pass, as enemies are made and defeated, as wars are fought and won, the old don meets an abandoned boy who needs a parent as much as protection. By taking Gabe under his wing and teaching him everything he knows, Angelo Vestieri will learn, in the winter of his life, which is greater: his love for the boy he cherishes, or his need to be a gangster and to live by the savage rules he helped create. A sweeping panoramic with riveting characters, a unique understanding of the underworld philosophy, and a relentless pace, Gangster travels through the time of godfathers and goodfellas to our own world of suburban Sopranos. But this is more than just an authentic chronicle of crime. Setting a new standard for this acclaimed author, Gangster is a compassionate portrait of one man's fight against his fate—and an unforgettable epic of a family, a city, a century.
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"I'd have given this a 5 except for one little thing. You show me a man with stones big enough to save his own son from a life of evil by killing him and I'll show you a man with the stones to make his way through life. I know, if Vesteri's father had shown that resolve, then Ang would likely never have gotten into the life so it had to be that way. Still, Carcaterra is a good enough author to have conjured up something better. A really good read otherwise."
— Randy (4 out of 5 stars)
Gangster Listener Reviews
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" Without question one of the best books I ever read. Clearly the title tells the subject so there is no need for me to blather on about the story. The to my view beats the Godfather by far and why there has not been a movie or tv miniseries made based on this book is beyond me. I could not put it down. I gave a copy to my 90 yr old father and he read it in two days, also loved it. If you don't give this a try you are simply nuts :) :). "
— Rickhow, 2/15/2014 -
" Lorenzo Carcaterra has a way of writing that makes me feel a part of the story - captivating, raw, touching - and even with the quite violent theme it has a special kind of beauty to it "
— Linnea, 2/13/2014 -
" I loved this book, not the type of book I'd usually go for but it was amazing. "
— Princesscj1989, 2/11/2014 -
" One of my favorite books. I've read it several times. "
— Pamela, 2/4/2014 -
" Absolutely loved this book, could not put it down...read it in 4 days! "
— Carla, 1/21/2014 -
" Picked it up out of boredom. Then read it in one day. awesome book. "
— Steve, 1/15/2014 -
" Angelo Vestieri is the coldest ganster I know. He is colder than all other gansters I have read about or saw in movies or tv shows. I mean he is as ruthless and vicious as he is efective and intelligent. "
— Francisco, 1/3/2014 -
" This is probably my favourite book, from the opening chapter in draws you in. "
— Clive, 12/17/2013 -
" If you enjoy mobster stories, this book is a must. Lorenzo Carcaterra paints an awesome picture of the mob life - the respect, honor, loyalty, and danger that shape a gangster. "
— Stephanie, 12/4/2013 -
" Ending - sucked. :) okay, maybe it was just a tad predictable. I would have rated this 2.5 stars. Definately not my favourite mobster read. Maybe I should stick to true crime. "
— Jenn, 10/16/2013 -
" Nancy - 3 stars "
— Ron, 10/7/2013 -
" Fantastic novel about New York crime boss Angelo Vestieri's rise from sickly immigrant to the most powerful man in America. Written by the same author who wrote Sleepers, the book followed the standard Godfather/Goodfellas route, but was all the better for it. "
— Mark, 5/26/2013 -
" One of my favourite books of all time. I have read it twice already and I'm preparing to read it a third time. Realistic, gritty and heart warming. A must for anyone and everyone. "
— Toni, 5/2/2013 -
" Not my favorite Lorenzo Carcaterra book, but still a good read. "
— Lynette, 2/25/2013 -
" I liked this much better than the previous Lorenzo C. book. These were kind of "pay if forward" gangsters LOL but the story moved along nicely. Good read - I'm on board with Carcaterra... Thanks to Brooks! "
— Ellen, 1/27/2013 -
" I found this book to be really good and like the authors style, interesting story of italian gansters & life growing up in New York City. "
— Joe, 1/7/2013 -
" maybe the best book i ever read "
— Cian, 1/6/2013 -
" Wasn't sure what to expect when I started to read it. It started out slow for me; couldn't really get into it. Shortly thereafter, I was hooked!! Great book! Look forward to reading more by this author! "
— Andrea, 12/18/2012 -
" The best mafia book since anything written by Mario Puzo. A must read! "
— TJ, 9/20/2012 -
" enjoyed, will be checking out more boos by author "
— Jerry, 9/5/2012 -
" i like what i"m reading so far.. "
— Ryschawn, 8/30/2012 -
" I love organized crime. Especially true mafia stories like this one. I wish Carcaterra would have written more. Good easy read. Knocked it out in about 3-4 days. "
— A.J.K., 7/11/2012 -
" You love mafia, you will love this book "
— Carolina, 6/3/2012 -
" This is not as good as The Godfather, but this gangster book is great. I love the story of the mob back in the 30's 40's and 50's. Those parts of mob stories are always the most compelling, in my opinion. "
— Craig, 5/16/2012 -
" so good. great author "
— Megs, 5/5/2012 -
" Very good. Very engrossing. Story of boy raised by a gangster. "
— Marti, 4/16/2012
About Lorenzo Carcaterra
Lorenzo Carcaterra is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Sleepers, A Safe Place, Apaches, Gangster, Street Boys, Paradise City, Chasers, and Midnight Angels. He is a former writer/producer for Law & Order and has written for National Geographic Traveler, the New York Times Magazine, Details, and Maxim. He lives in New York City and is at work on his next novel.
About Joe Mantegna
Joe Mantegna is a versatile, seasoned actor on both stage and screen. He first garnered national prominence for his work with writer-director David Mamet, earning a Tony Award for Glengarry Glen Ross in 1983. His name has become synonymous with Robert B. Parker’s Spenser since he has narrated the entire series.