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Live by Night

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About this listen

With all the grit and barely veiled violence of The Godfather, Live By Night is another masterful example of the brooding gangster novel. Lehane's vivid cast of characters are utterly believable and his plot is as complex as it is thrilling.

Joe Coughlin is 19 when he meets Emma Gould. A small-time thief in 1920s Boston, he is told to cuff her while his accomplices raid the casino she works for. But Joe falls in love with Emma - and his life changes forever.

That meeting is the beginning of Joe's journey to becoming one of the nation's most feared and respected gangsters. It is a journey beset by violence, double-crossing, drama, and pain. And it is a journey into the soul of prohibition-era America....

A powerful, deeply moving novel, Live by Night is a tour-de-force by Dennis Lehane, writer on The Wire and author of modern classics such as Shutter Island, Gone, Baby, Gone and The Given Day.

©2012 Dennis Lehane (P)2012 Isis Publishing Ltd. Suspense Thriller & Suspense Exciting Emotionally Gripping Boston
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Most relevant
I really enjoy Dennis Lehane novels - I dont think Ive read (or listened to) one that I haven't thoroughly enjoyed, This was no exception - brilliantly well written plotted and read. Its hard to say more without veering into spoiler territory but this was one of my favourite novels of 2012 and is highly recommended.

One of my favourites of 2012

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What did you like most about Live by Night?

Yes, this audiobook was good. I liked the development throughout the novel of Joe and the players around him. The best book I've engaged with in a long time. Vivid, violent and intelligent! I highly recommended this book.

What other book might you compare Live by Night to, and why?

It's not a book but the TV series Broadwalk Empire and to a lesser degree Peaky Blinders. The film Outlaws.

What does Adam Sims bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Subtle yet strong a first class narrator.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Moments of dread. Moments of triumph.

Any additional comments?

This book is a well kept secret. Brilliant gangster book. Really developed Joe character, in a way similar to what Puzo does with Micheal in the Godfather. Very talented writer, Lehane delivered his story with literally grace.

An Outlaw becomes a Gangster!

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I don't know whether it was the narration or the story but I didn't find it as gripping as I though I would. Saying that, I get bored easily and rarely finish books, however I finished this, and was sad that it had ended, but I probably won't be buying World Gone By.

Slow but steady

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The dialogue and the story really skips along. Some great one liners and all characters brilliantly narrated.

Brilliant old school gangster writing

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Kept me engaged throughout. Good characters, good feel for time and place. Very enjoyable. Will be back for more lehane

Good momentum and place

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