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| View Larger Image | Citizen Vince : A Novel
by Jess Walter
| | List Price: | $24.95 |  | | 6 New starting at: | $6.94 | | 7 Used starting at: | $6.45 | | | | | Sales Rank: | 748289 | | | Binding: | Hardcover | | Number Of Pages: | 304 | | Publication Date: | April 01, 2005 |
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CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 28 reviews)
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Oddly entertaining! 
What a curiously entertaining novel this was, a mix of the mob, the 1980 presidential race, and the Pacific Northwest. Vince has been relocated to Spokane after testifying against some mobbed up guys in New York, and finds himself both attracted to and repelled by the much quieter lifestyle in his new city--local author Walter gets Spokane dead right, as he should. He falls back into his old ways, perhaps out of boredom, and gets himself into trouble (read the book for the details). Meanwhile, in the course of trying to impress a young lady, he begins following the political campaign of 1980 and ruminating on his first opportunity to vote as an American citizen--his felonious past had prohibited it until he was given this new "clean" identity. Walter writes a fabulous monologue about the privelege of voting, one that made me pause to appreciate--it should be read to all 18 year olds as they are given their voter's cards.
Anyway, Vince is a really likeable character, despite his many shortcomings. We root for him as he tries to find romance, makes peace with Spokane, gets himself in a jam, and votes for the first time. A very enjoyable novel here.....quirky and profound at the same time.
June 23, 2008 | |
Fast, fun and well written 
My local book store owner recommended this book after I told him I liked legal mysteries but wanted a bit of a change. He said Citizen Vince was one of his favorites.
He was right. The book has a loveable crook who is also a patriot. His knowledge about politics runs contrary to the path he has taken in his life.
It is a quick read. The funny part for me is I have been trying to get my teenage son to read it. Of course he thought the book must be boring since his Mom liked it. Finally he needed a book for a book report. Rather than go to the library or the book store he settled for the book I had. After reading it he said "Why didn't you tell me it was good?" He is a funny kid.
April 21, 2008 | |
Engaging and Thorough
I found this book be a nice read. The overall plot was kind of common (Past catches up with bad guy turned good) but the details really made it enjoyable for me. I REALLY appreciated the continuity of the story and thoroughness in how Walter managed the characters and the timeline from start to finish.
Nice Job. I'll pass it on to my friends.
January 26, 2008 | |
Delightful Read
This was recommended to me because I had such a good reaction to the trilogy created by Charlie Huston. Although not as violent as that series this story contains a very distinct lead character who is unlike any you would have read in another story. The story flows smoothly and in ways that you won't have come across before. The setting, just before the presidental election of 1980, plays a strong part in the moods and motivation of the lead character and doesn't seem forced or unbelievable. I throughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to read other books by Jess Walter. He has a big big talent.
January 24, 2008 | |
One of the most unusual and suspenseful books I've ever read.
Vince Camden is a low level hood. Living in Spokane in the witness protection program, he's vacillating between an honest life as a baker at a donut shop and the low criminal enterprises (sells a bit of Mary Jane and flogs stolen credit card numbers) that got him in trouble in the first place.
Unfortunately, his quiet and marginally successful life is disrupted when his criminal scheme blows up and a hired killer from back east arrives on the scene.
Vince, in an unusual move, goes back east to see if he can somehow make amends and save his life. Turns out he's miscalculated on why the killer showed up--and now he's in a whole different sort of trouble.
This really is more of a suspense novel and character study than a crime novel in the traditional sense. The story line drifts between Vince and a local rookie cop trying to figure things out after one of the credit card gang winds up dead.
It's a novel of twists and turns and deep thoughts expressed by interesting--even, in their own slimy way--captivating characters.
The characters are vividly and deeply painted with a loving and skillful touch by Walter. Walter writes both fiction and nonfiction and is also an investigative reporter of some stature. The intertwining of real world brutality and effective and mob style humor is effective and compelling. The entire story is told in tangent with the Reagan/Carter presidential election and Vince's struggles intermingle with the candidates struggles in an interesting and arresting manner.
This isn't normally my preferred genre of fiction but I have to say I was enraptured by this effort. I'm looking to read all of Walter's work. What higher praise can one offer?
January 08, 2008 | |
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