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Rating: 
Summary: Very Boss Book!
Review: Michael Thelwell's novelization of the Perry Henzell cult film is no mere "padded" movie script. Jamaican youth Ivan's odyssey from country-raised boy to reggae-star and celebrated outlaw is a character-driven work of depth and distinction. Plotted as rite-of-passage adventure, Thelwell's writing craft provides lyrical descriptions; astute psychological observation; and an unashamed assertion of moral sensibility. THE GOOD GUYS lose in this Jamaican anti-hero legend. In fact the good guys(Ivan and even his friend Ras Tafarian ganja man, Peter)"become like that which they behold": amoral,very bad, bad guys.CORRUPTION is,in fact, the focal theme of the novel. Only a mature writer of Thelwell's skill prevents the story from becoming maudlin or (worse) a violently sensational manifesto about BAD BABYLON (The West) vs."los inocentes" of the Third World. Most readers will grant superiority of the novel to the film it's based-on. Despite advantage a "classic" musical score undeniably provides, it is, in fact, Thelwell's rendering of characterizing dialects; accents,and slang,that makes this novel superb.THE HARDER THEY COME,in my estimate, surpasses its cinematic progenitor.It's worthy literature: a very Boss Book!
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic third world story
Review: Not a cheap novelization, but a work with its own life. Unforgettable story about Babylon and its impact upon the poor of Jamaica. If you are a fan of the movie, or if you are not, this is a good one for you.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic third world story
Review: Not a cheap novelization, but a work with its own life. Unforgettable story about Babylon and its impact upon the poor of Jamaica. If you are a fan of the movie, or if you are not, this is a good one for you.
Rating:
Summary: THTC - A Must For Those Into Jamaican Culture/Folklore
Review: This book is a treasure that I happened to come across in a 'discount bin' at a bookstore - but like so many of the books that are greatly reduced in price, this one is truly priceless . . . I have always been interested in Jamaican culture and society, and just finished reading Timothy White's 'Catch a Fire - The Life of Bob Marley' which was the perfect way to get in the mindset for Michael Thelwell's masterpiece 'The Harder They Come.' This book is not simply a tale of the legendary Rhygin who was a hero of the common Jamaican sufferah, but also a glimpse into the life of Jamaicans following the period of British colonial rule - So many themes are present in the novel - the contrast between country and city, the traditions and myths of those living in the bush, the hand to mouth existence of so many Jamaican poor that live in Kingston, the power struggle of politics and law, as well as the ganja trade which somehow effects all Jamaicans . . . This book will immerse you in Jamaican culture, and I'm not talking about the resorts on the coast - this is the real deal and is a must read!
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