Bourdain was Bourdain even before everyone knew him. His voice is so clear and his world view seems to have developed but not changed with the years. Noir from the mob goon's perspective can fail 100 ways but Bourdain creates a fun anti-hero in Bobby. The dame in this book is an idiot with impulse control issues, and she had potential to be an interesting character. That was a shame. Filled with sex and money and food and travel this novella is funny and really enjoyable. Listened to this for a commute plus a morning getting ready when I needed a break from the gutting nonfiction book I am reading (We Were Once a Family) and it was a solid 3.5. The reader was excellent. ( )

A great crime novel. Illuminating and human ( )

Ahhhh Bourdain writing fiction. Can it get any better? The premise of this book is a story about Bobby Gold, ex con and hit man. It's basically about him doing his "jobs" for his friend Eddie, finding a girlfriend and realizing living the life of crime isn't the greatest thing. The book was great, funny and sad.

For the rest of the review, visit my blog at: http://angelofmine1974.livejournal.com/80270.html ( )

Anthony Bourdain is an entertaining writer. In this one, he (almost) leaves food out of it, with a tough protagonist who is an enforcer for the mob.

No nonsense and to the point, Bourdain triumphs in making his characters real and relateable, and in turning his gruff murderous hitman of a main character into someone you're constantly rooting for. The plot was almost nonexistant for most of the story, but this detracted nothing from the brilliant character study. When action did commence, the descriptions were spot-on and the twists were well-placed. The repetitive nature of this novel is something to be enjoyed, though I found myself wishing every chapter would start with a description of clothing. Brief, witty, and gritty--three of my favorite things. ( )