The Sucker's Kiss

Rating:
Summary: ONE OF THE BEST WORKS OF THE YEAR
Review: This is one of the most enchanting, amusing and readable works I've read in quite some time. You could almost describe it as the story of Huck Finn had be become a pickpocket. Mr. Parker has an easy style and a wonderful command of our language. The book follows the career of a career criminal from the age of seven, starting during the San Franscisco Quake of 1906, through the depression and beyond. The author's use of slang is almost lyrical, and after several pages, almost becomes addictive. The author is able to capture "hard times" with a sort of pragmatic humor which is sort of difficult to describe. His description of the country and it's people of that time is wonderful and quite accurate. This is certainly one of those books that will completely hook you after the first page, so it is best to start it when you have the time to finish it. It seems that everytime I get discouraged as to the state of writing in our times, I run across a work such as this and am able to take heart. I checked this one out from the library, but will have to now purchase it as I am sure it will be one of those I will want to reread over the years. Highly recommend this one and I do hope it is not this writer's last!