Smoke by Donald E. Westlake Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Smoke
Book Review: A disappointing effort from a usually flawless author.
Summary: 2 Stars
Donald, Donald, Donald. I picked this book up with a giddiness only experienced when I pick up a Westlake or Lawerence Block book. I was sadly disapointed. The story was long and dragged out and the plot, if you can call it a plot, was without a sense of reality. I only finished this book because of the Westlake name. Thank you but I'll stick to rereading my Dortmunder novelsBook Review: An Invisible Burglar
Summary: 4 Stars
When Freddie Noon is caught in the act of burgling a research laboratory by a couple of the doctors who work there, he is persuaded to act as guinea pig to test the experimental drug they are working on, rather than get sent to prison. The drug was supposed to help combat skin cancer by eliminating skin pigment, unfortunately when given to Freddie it not only eliminated Freddie's skin, but also the rest of him, rendering him invisible. An invisible burglar, the possibilities are endless. But so are the problems. Freddie and his girlfriend, Peg, are chased by various people who all have the same idea, harnessing his invisibility for their own evil plans. Thanks to Westlake's great ability with putting together great caper stories, the subplots are amusing and quite entertaining, but when you get to the end you get the feeling that the potential has not been reached. Although not an uproariously funny book, its tone is light and the humour is constant, at times subtle and usually quite clever.
If it's light reading you're after and prefer entertainment over finding a deeper meaning of life, I think you'll enjoy this book. A good example of the humour of Donald Westlake can be found in a surgeon general's warning on the inside front flap stating that "Reading Donald E. Westlake may lead to shortness of breath, prolonged chortles, outbreaks of hysterical laughter, and sudden, drop-dead surprises."
Book Review: Classic Invisible Man Thriller
Summary: 5 Stars
Westlake as usual has created another sensational novel but this time tackled a subject not many authors have really delved into, a novel about an invisible man. Even though Freddie Noon the main character in Smoke is a career villain like with Westlake's Parker novels (written under the pen name Richard Stark) you can't help but wish the guy all the success in the world.
Freddie breaks into the research labs of an American tobacco company to steal some easily liquidated equipment. Unfortunately he is caught by two scientists who can't be bothered waiting the lengthy time process required by the government to get human volunteers so see Freddie as an excellent test subject. They convince him to take an injection showing him something they say is the antidote so there's no risk to him and its better than going to jail isn't it? Only Freddie escapes, steals the antidote and of course takes it. The problem is it is not an antidote and Freddie is now invisible. Being invisible comes with a lot of challenges but also has its unique opportunities. Only problem is there are now powerful people after him including a corrupt police officer, they all have their own uses for him wanting him to perform more violent and serious crimes on their behalf which don't follow under his code of ethics. His girlfriend Peg is also finding his condition hard to cope with and wants him visible again, only thing is there's no way back to his former self.
This sensational novel is more similar in storyline (with its own uniqueness as well) to H F Saint's classic novel Memoirs of an Invisible Man than it is to H.G. Wells' 1897 story The Invisible Man. Smoke also acknowledges the problems such as food eaten not being immediately invisible like Saint's masterpiece did, although Westlake does not go to the same depth (I don't understand previous reviewers who criticise Westlake for having this factor in here as it an obvious thing that would be a problem if you were invisible, put it this way should an author writing a book about someone going swimming not have them wearing a swimming costume because another character in another book by another author included this exact same obvious thing, of course they should it would be ludicrous and absurd not to).
Smoke was published in 1995 and has not dated at all today. All three of invisible man novels mentioned are must read can't put down forget about work and what is on TV until the final page thrillers. If you like one of these stories you'll love them all.
Book Review: Could have been so much better.
Summary: 2 Stars
The idea and concept of this book is just fantastic.. "An Invisible Thief, running around New York"... What a Fantastic Idea!. I was expecting big laughs and a great plot. What I got was a very slow read with a gutless plot. The laughs where few, far between and not really funny. This book just did not go anywhere, it could have been done so much better and with much more punch. The main character was pretty good, and some of the supporting characters (especially Jersey Josh) carried the book along, but the underlying plot of the tobacco industry was poorly done. I was disappointed, but this book is for you if you want a simple, mind numbing read.Book Review: Excellent
Summary: 5 Stars
Donald Westlake is among two authors that can make me laugh out loud. the other being lawerence block. This book however un-original some people think it is is awesome. I loved it. Good Work Donald!