The Turnaround by George Pelecanos Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Turnaround
Book Review: Darn Good Book...
Summary: 5 Stars
As a "crime" novel, "The Turnaround" does not feature any unexpected plot twists, no feelings of mounting suspense, no gory forensics details. No villain to loathe (one character is extremely unlikable but even he could be considered a victim of his childhood and environment), no detective to root for. It is just one damn fine story. I finished it in two nights and I've probably said this before - I couldn't wait to see how things turned out but I also didn't want it to end. "The Turnaround" is not a morality tale, just a very enjoyable story about how random events can affect the lives of many people for a very long time. It's a story about family, friendship and redemption. Kudos to Mr. Pelecanos!! I will be reading more of his work in the future!Book Review: Enjoyable, Great Escape.
Summary: 4 Stars
George writes a great thriller and if you've ever been to Baltimore or wish to travel there, he paints an excellent description of it. It's typical George;if you've read him before, this won't disappoint (may even be a bit better than his last). If you've never read him before, this would be a great time to start.Book Review: Excellent urban thriller
Summary: 5 Stars
In 1972, three suburban teenage white friends (Alex Pappas, Billy Cachoris and Pete Whitten) are stoned having smoked marihuana and drank alcohol. As high as they ever been, the trio cruises D.C in a Torino stopping in a poor black neighborhood where they challenge three local males (brothers James and Raymond Monroe and Charles Baker). The ensuing brawl leaves Billy dead and Alex severely battered.
In 2007, Alex grieves the loss of his son, a combat casualty in Iraq. He owns and runs the Pappas and Sons Coffee Shop that his father established in 1964. At Walter Reed Raymond Monroe, one of the three blacks involved in the deadly fight, recognizes Alex's name. Raymond thinks maybe he can put somewhat behind him the mess that has haunted him for thirty-five years by talking with Alex so he contacts the coffee shop owner; Alex too needs closure. At about the same time, Baker who destroyed Alex's face has just left prison with a plan to blackmail the participants in the '72 race war.
This stand alone urban thriller hooks the audience from the opening joyride and never let's goes as the audience wonders whether Alex and Raymond will find liberation from their overwhelming guilt for their respective roles in the fight or a second war. The key cast members are fully developed so that the reader understands what they need and what they could lose if they risk THE TURNAROUND of redemption and ignore the extortion. George P. Pelecanos writes a great tale that will be on everyone's short list for thriller of the year as the DC area has rarely seen as imposing as it does in 1972 and 2007.
Harriet Klausner
Book Review: For Completists Only
Summary: 3 Stars
I've always enjoyed the music references in George Pelecanos' work and "The Turnaround" starts strong in that department--references to Humble Pie, Wilson Pickett, Led Zeppelin, Funkadelic, T-Rex, Argent, Martha Reeves, Roberta Flack are sprinkled throughout the opening stretches along with many, many more. So are other period details. Esso. Mannix. Jet Magazine. Shirley Chisholm. But for long sections of "The Turnaround," those details drop away and the novel also fades into a yawning gap. It's fairly lifeless and flat.
The concept is strong: the impact on the lives of grown men who once tangled and were involved in tragedy as youths. The scenes capturing the clash of youths are powerful. But the energy goes poof in this book. It felt like Pelecanos mailed this one in. If you've read and liked the earlier Pelecanos stuff for its grit and tension, you may be disappointed here. The overall feel of the book is reflective. The characters are looking back over the 35-years that separate them from the flashpoint of their lives. That sense of deep contemplation drags the energy down, too.
When the music and cultural references disappear it's as if the scenery is yanked away and the characters are left to fend for themselves on a bare stage. It doesn't work. This one is for Pelecanos completists only.
Book Review: Gradually Moving and Thought Provoking
Summary: 3 Stars
This was my first George Pelecanos book and to be honest -- it may be my last. All the characters in The Turnaround are superbly defined and that is the best part about the book. The reader is really in touch with all of them. It is a very slow moving book that centers on a variety of issues: brotherhood, family, loyalty, race relations, music and drugs. I'll admit, I wanted to stop reading this half way through it because I got bored but I was convinced there had to be a great ending. Fortunately, the ending didn't disappoint me and I'm glad I finished it. That said, all in all it is a decent read -- not great but decent. Not quite worth the $20+ for a new copy.