The Graft. Martina Cole

By Martina Cole

Book Overview

Looking back, Nick Leary couldn't say exactly what kept him awake that night. It might've been the oppressive heat, or the distant rumble of thunder. He'd had a lot on his mind; perhaps he'd been... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0747267669
• ISBN13: 9780747267669
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Headline
• Length: 679 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.

Customer Reviews

(Actually its 3 1/2 stars)

At first I couldn't really get into this book. I thought the writing was really bad and needed a good editing. Also, being Greek,I had trouble understanding some of the British slang. There was too much 'telling' and not enough 'showing'.Phrases and sentences were repeated over and over until you wanted to scream 'Ok, we get it, get on with the plot!'.There were whole chapters where almost nothing was happening because there was detailed description of the characters' thoughts, feelings and flashbacks. Also, at the begining I thought the characters were unconvincing. I couldn't really 'get' them, or understand why they behaved like they did. One minute they were decent people and the next they were complete jerks. Why did 'tough guy' Nick cry like a baby over killing an armed robber that broke into his home and then torture and kill people withought feeling any remorse ? Why did he let his wife sleep around without saying a word ? Why did the couple live with Nick's mother ? Why did everyone feel sorry for that b..ch Junky Jude ? It didn't make any sense. I was ready to give the book up, but around page 200 something happened. I'm not really sure if the writing got any better or if I got used to the bad writing, but the pace started to pick up and things started to make sense. By the end of the book everything was falling beautifully into place and I couldn't put the book down. This book explores the criminal underworld in a very realistic and absorbing way and the stories of the young boys selling themselves on the streets will stick to your mind for a long time. Not a masterpiece, but definitely recommended.