Author Description
From New York Times bestselling author Dennis Lehane comes this epic, unflinching tale of the making and unmaking of a gangster in the Prohibition Era of the Roaring Twenties—now a Warner Bros. movie starring Ben Affleck, Elle Fanning, Zoe Saldana, and Sienna Miller.Meticulously researched and artfully told, Live by Night is the riveting story of one man’s rise from Boston petty thief to the Gulf Coast’s most successful rum runner, and it proves again that the accolades New York Times bestseller Lehane consistently receives are well deserved. He is indeed, “a master” (Philadelphia Inquirer) whose “true literary forefathers include John Steinbeck as well as Raymond Chandler” (Baltimore Sun). And, “Boy, does he know how to write” (Elmore Leonard).
Menrva's Summary
THE PULSE
Joe Coughlin, the son of a Boston police captain, navigates the violent underworld of the Prohibition Era to establish his own criminal empire. Driven by a desire to carve out a life independent of his father's rigid moral code, Joe transitions from a small-time thief to a powerful rum runner in the American South. He faces constant opposition from rival criminal syndicates, corrupt law enforcement, and the internal conflicts of his own organization. The narrative follows his ascent and eventual moral erosion as he operates within the brutal constraints of the 1920s criminal landscape, utilizing a third-person perspective that emphasizes the atmospheric tension of the era.
INSIDE THE PAGES
- Detailed depiction of the Prohibition-era rum-running trade
- Exploration of the moral ambiguity inherent in organized crime
- Multi-generational family dynamics and father-son conflict
- Vivid setting descriptions of Boston and the Florida Gulf Coast
- Pacing that balances character introspection with sudden, violent action
- Examination of the social and racial tensions of the 1920s
- Focus on the logistical challenges of bootlegging operations
- Stylistic influence of classic hardboiled detective fiction
THE COLLECTIVE ECHO
Readers and critics frequently note the atmospheric depth and historical precision of the narrative. Discussion often centers on the protagonist's evolution and the author's ability to maintain a gritty, noir-inspired tone throughout the expansive timeline. Many highlight the effective balance between the character's personal motivations and the broader socio-political context of the Prohibition era. The pacing is often described as deliberate, allowing for a thorough examination of the consequences of the protagonist's choices. Overall, the work is recognized for its technical command of the crime genre and its commitment to period-accurate detail.
Page Count:
402
Publication Date:
2012-10-02
ISBN-10:
0060004878
ISBN-13:
9780060004873
Crime
Thriller
Historical Fiction
Suspense
Noir
Mystery
Mystery Thriller & Suspense
Historical
Hard-Boiled
Crime
Gangster
Custom Stores
United States
Self Service
Community Tags
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