Down on Ponce: A Novel

Rating:
Summary: You don't want to miss this book.
Review: "Down on Ponce" is an engrossing, delightful read that kept me turning pages between chuckles. It is a refreshing tale that shows a shady side of the Deep South rarely seen in literature, complete with flashbacks to the early Wild West-days of the Colombia/Florida smuggling trade. And unlike other crime mysteries, there are no cops, just bad guys with nothing to lose vs. bad guys who are more than happy to do anything to keep what they have. Willard assembles a memorable "crew" of societal outcasts to take on the big boys in a daring scheme spiced with a touch of Richard Brautiganesque lunacy underlying the story's many unanticipated turns. And the best part for many native Atlantans like me is that the book is set in a very real part of town that escaped urban renewal to preserve some character in a city sterilized by wrecking balls. In capturing the essence of "Ponce," Willard yanks up the city's shirt sleeve to entertainingly reveal the outrageous tattoo Atlanta leaders would rather you not see.

Rating:
Summary: You don't want to miss this book.
Review: "Down on Ponce" is an engrossing, delightful read that kept me turning pages between chuckles. It is a refreshing tale that shows a shady side of the Deep South rarely seen in literature, complete with flashbacks to the early Wild West-days of the Colombia/Florida smuggling trade. And unlike other crime mysteries, there are no cops, just bad guys with nothing to lose vs. bad guys who are more than happy to do anything to keep what they have. Willard assembles a memorable "crew" of societal outcasts to take on the big boys in a daring scheme spiced with a touch of Richard Brautiganesque lunacy underlying the story's many unanticipated turns. And the best part for many native Atlantans like me is that the book is set in a very real part of town that escaped urban renewal to preserve some character in a city sterilized by wrecking balls. In capturing the essence of "Ponce," Willard yanks up the city's shirt sleeve to entertainingly reveal the outrageous tattoo Atlanta leaders would rather you not see.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing true to life descriptions of life of Ponce de Leon.
Review: As a native of Atlanta, now living in Austin TX, I often pick up "Down On Ponce" just to remind me of my home town. For those of you that have never had the opportunity to live in Atlanta, it is hard to explain the humor and reality of "Ponce" that Fred Willard has captured in his book. Unfortunately, there are far to many "novelties" and true to life characters that live, survive, reside, and make Ponce de Leon the adventure that it is. If fans of "Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil" enjoyed the factual tale of the darkside of Savannah, you will not want to miss the fictional adventures of "Down on Ponce". As another fan expressed, I also hope that Mr. Willard continues the saga of the characters that entertained us in "Down On Ponce". After finishing this book, (which, by the way I read while still living in Atlanta), I recognized several landmarks, possible inspirations, and definate realisms that take place on a daily basis down on Ponce. I also felt as though I had just been given a personal tour of what really happens after dark in the city "to busy to hate". I hope that word will spread, and the curosity of the minions in Atlanta will pick up, and finally, have the opportunity to read a novel that accurately depicts the under belly of the International City of the South. Trust me y'all, if you want great adventure, page turning mystery and rib splitting humor, don't miss this read.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing true to life descriptions of life of Ponce de Leon.
Review: As a native of Atlanta, now living in Austin TX, I often pick up "Down On Ponce" just to remind me of my home town. For those of you that have never had the opportunity to live in Atlanta, it is hard to explain the humor and reality of "Ponce" that Fred Willard has captured in his book. Unfortunately, there are far to many "novelties" and true to life characters that live, survive, reside, and make Ponce de Leon the adventure that it is. If fans of "Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil" enjoyed the factual tale of the darkside of Savannah, you will not want to miss the fictional adventures of "Down on Ponce". As another fan expressed, I also hope that Mr. Willard continues the saga of the characters that entertained us in "Down On Ponce". After finishing this book, (which, by the way I read while still living in Atlanta), I recognized several landmarks, possible inspirations, and definate realisms that take place on a daily basis down on Ponce. I also felt as though I had just been given a personal tour of what really happens after dark in the city "to busy to hate". I hope that word will spread, and the curosity of the minions in Atlanta will pick up, and finally, have the opportunity to read a novel that accurately depicts the under belly of the International City of the South. Trust me y'all, if you want great adventure, page turning mystery and rib splitting humor, don't miss this read.

Rating:
Summary: One look at the back cover and I new I was in trouble!
Review: DOWN ON PONCE grabbed me from page one and did not let go until the end. The characters are, well, different. Not your usual set of bad guys, or should I say, losers? Actually, they aren't really without-reason-bad, just pay-back-bad.
These guys and the characters they run into will have you laughing while saying OUCH!
The plot runs fast and twisty and the end is as one would hope for. As one would dream for. But if violence, even with laughs, isn't your game, well, better luck elsewhere.

Rating:
Summary: Quirky but hard as nails
Review: DOWN ON PONCE grabbed me from page one and did not let go until the end. The characters are, well, different. Not your usual set of bad guys, or should I say, losers? Actually, they aren't really without-reason-bad, just pay-back-bad.
These guys and the characters they run into will have you laughing while saying OUCH!
The plot runs fast and twisty and the end is as one would hope for. As one would dream for. But if violence, even with laughs, isn't your game, well, better luck elsewhere.

Rating:
Summary: One of your better tales of criminal behavior
Review: Few books are so funny I actually laugh out loud at them, but Willard's deft touch with character made me guffaw several times while reading "Down on Ponce." The satire of Atlanta's criminal class is affectionate and the absurd but brisk plot keeps you turning the pages. The ending is completely preposterous but you'll be having too much fun to care. (People without senses of humor -- like the gentleman who thought the blurb saying "Willard writes good" was straight -- should stay away, however, as should people who don't realize that criminals tend to not be very nice people.)

Rating:
Summary: One of your better tales of criminal behavior
Review: Few books are so funny I actually laugh out loud at them, but Willard's deft touch with character made me guffaw several times while reading "Down on Ponce." The satire of Atlanta's criminal class is affectionate and the absurd but brisk plot keeps you turning the pages. The ending is completely preposterous but you'll be having too much fun to care. (People without senses of humor -- like the gentleman who thought the blurb saying "Willard writes good" was straight -- should stay away, however, as should people who don't realize that criminals tend to not be very nice people.)

Rating:
Summary: Down on Ponce - an Atlanta Noir:
Review: From the Author's Note: Ponce de Leon Avenue, called "Ponce" by locals, is a haven for the homeless, the lawless and the restless located in Atlanta, Georgia - a city that may be too busy to hate, but isn't above taking a little time off to steal. For further information please visit the web site. http://www.mindspring.com/~fwillard

Rating:
Summary: Hello Atlanta!
Review: I don't know Atlanta, but Fred Willard sure does. I have lived in other large cities and they all have similar neighborhoods, so no mater where you're from you can relate to this satirical mystery. A hard-boiled mystery with lots of humor. The first laugh-out-loud line was on the very first page and it only got better from there! Read it in one sitting (all night long) and enjoyed every page. Highly recommended!