Motherless Brooklyn
One of the first books I read was the “Deadly Sin” books as in First Deadly, Second Deadly….I think they actually made a movie out of one of them starring Frank Sinatra as the detective.
Anyway, I mention these because Motherless Brooklyn reminded me of reading those books. The whole New York slightly “seedy” scene and the best description of sandwiches in writing since the Deadly Sin series, in my opinion. I mean who wouldn’t be inspired to find a deli that served up provolone and pepperoni sub ? The shared gastronomy is also a way the author creates a connection betweeen the reader and the main character of the book, Lionel Essrog, an all grown up orphan and small time hood who also happens to have Tourette Syndrome. The real genius of the writing is how the author manages to come up with so many “tics” throughout the course of the book as Lionel tries to solve the murder mystery of his employer and surrogate big brother, Frank Minna. This book works because the writer does not try to make Lionel into some lovable retard ( has anyone seen “Radio” ?..ugh) and therefore it is believable and at times, funny, as Lionel struggles not to bark or curse too much at inappropriate times. One of the best passages in the book is the description of why Lionel probably drove his cat crazy ( apparently OCD and Tourette’s are hand in hand disorders). It’s a good read overall.
May 13, 2005 3:41 pm 
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By DJ Cayenne, May 13, 2005 @ 11:10 pm
Swizzle, I read this book a few years back, and I loved it. I thought the “Tourette’s detective” would be gimmicky, but it’s a tribute to Letham’s writing that it was totally believable. I loaned this book out to some friends that were from New York, because I though that they would love it. If Brooklyn came alive for me, and I had never been there, it would be awesome for them, right? They never read it. I ask about it all the tine, in hope of, you know, getting my book back. And they’re all “well then 9/11 happened (!) and weren’t up to it.” OK, can I have it back now? Maybe I need some Lionel Essrog assertiveness training.
By Shaft, May 14, 2005 @ 12:49 am
Yeah! Swizzle can read! I was wondering [C***SUCKER!] when she was finally going to [MOTHERF***ER!] post something. This book sounds [KISS MY A**!] pretty good. I’ve already paused my reading of “You Remind Me of Me” to start on “Homeland”, based on Mister [SH*THEAD!] DJ’s recommendation; maybe this one will jump to the front of the line, too.