Rating: 
Summary: Dissapointing
Review: I have been an Andrew Vachss fan for a long time. Unfortunately, his latest novel, "Choice of Evil" is not up to par. It reads slugishly and leaves you with the bad feeling you are reading a Latin American magical realism practitioner instead of one of America's best fiction writers. Although not his best effort, "Choice of Evil" is still a great reading experience. I just wish Mr. Vachss curbed his penchant for killing or disappearing Burke's love interests.
Rating:
Summary: disappointed
Review: I have read all of the Burke novels and I have to say that I was disappointed with this book. It was ok but I have come to expect more from Andrew Vachss.
Rating: 
Summary: Dynamite!
Review: I know a lot of people read Vachss books because of the themes, but I admit I read them for the characters. The female characters, I mean. I even named myself after two of them. This one was complicated, but, when I finally GOT it, it just blew me away!
Rating:
Summary: The Choice
Review: I one time heard that humans are the only species that tortures our own for fun--maybe Mr. Vachss said it. I had never thought about it like that before. That's the Choice, see, the CHOICE OF EVIL. I think the question the book is asking us is when do we forgive someone who has purposely chosen to hurt someone else, especially if that hurt lasts forever? The answer to that is that the punishment should fit the crime and the person who did such a thing should hurt forever, too. It's like on TV when they interview the crime do'er over and over and maybe once show the person who was murdered, some old high school picture. What are they saying, don't you wonder? At least Homo Erectus knew enough to blow himself to bits and not to whine about how unpopuler he was. I think Mr. Vachss is telling it like it is. Why don't these cry babies do something before they get caught? They're not sorry for what they do. They're sorry they get caught!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Book
Review: I own everything written by Andrew Vachss. I can not wait till I see whats next from Burke and those guys
Rating:
Summary: Vachss Does It Again!
Review: I read the other reviews and so, if you have as well you know the basic plot of the story. Rather than regurgitate what they have already said I want let you know that this is by far the best of the Burke novels. The writing is moving and involving. I sat down to read it, planning just to get a few chapters in. Next thing I knew I was on the last page. I just sat there for some time pouring over the story in my mind. The ending is a surprise and a revelation, as is the entire book. Vachss captivated me easily, pulled me in and made me feel I was part of the story. I can't recommend this story enough. It is a fascinating, engaging and worthwhile tale. For long time Vachss fans I can promise it goes well beyond anything he has done so far, you will not be disappointed, and for new readers, you *will* be fans after this one. I give it my highest marks.
Rating:
Summary: THE MOST THRILLING AND SATISFYING BURKE NOVEL TO DATE
Review: I was lucky enough to receive a copy of Choice of Evil for review purposes, and it is a *phenomenal* read. As in all of Vachss' novels, the writing is clean, evocative, and direct; but it is the emotional complexity of the characters and the depth of the plot that catapult the book into the stratosphere. Several characters from earlier Burke novels, such as Strega and Vincent, reappear in this one; however, enough background is woven into the story that no prior reading is necessary for complete up-all-night-for-days-on-end enjoyment. But the real bombshell (and the reason every Burke fan *must* pick up a copy as soon as it becomes available) is the return of Burke's brother, the contract killer Wesley. It is a horror story as much as a mystery one, although I think the best description of it lies elsewhere. Choice of Evil at its root is a ghost story, where all the characters are haunted by the fears and the loves of the past. As in all good ghost stories, the emergence of these apparitions impacts profoundly on the characters' actions throughout the book. Choice of Evil also contains a clearer and more ambitious analysis of the factors underlying anti-gay violence than I have seen in any non-fiction writing on the subject, let alone in a novel. The topic comes up (at first) through the voice of Burke's partner, Crystal Beth, and continues as a nuanced and subtle discussion as the story progresses. That alone is a good reason for Burke neophytes to open this book. Reporting the truth always brings controversy, and I am certain that pundits aplenty will opine on this book without ever having turned a page of it. But, for the reader, the vividness of narrative and the clarity of vision with which Vachss endows this novel will resonate long after the last paragraph is savored. Choice of Evil is suspenseful and enlightening and very satisfying, like a good meal after a hard day, prepared by someone who knows how to do it right.
Rating:
Summary: MATURE AND EXCITING SCENES FILL CHOICE OF EVIL
Review: I've just finished Andrew Vachss' great new suspense novel, CHOICE OF EVIL. The plot is subtle and noirish, and sexually inquisitive in a way that Kubrick motioned towards in "Eyes Wide Shut," but was a little too slick to achieve. In the rest of his life, Vachss is a lawyer for children, and unlike the bleating hordes who attack adult sexuality by talking about "protecting kids", he has no beef with *any* form of consensual sex between adults. CHOICE OF EVIL displays his magnificent ability to show the bright line between the play of adults and acts done to children. He has always been very aware of and friendly toward the safe/sane/consensual folks. Best of all, he's written novels with sexual scenes so vibrant and exciting that a reader saving Vachss' books for bedtime is guaranteed a sated sleep. CHOICE OF EVIL is absolutely terrific. It's a book for adults in every sense of the word. Once you get a taste, you'll savor every bite.
Rating:
Summary: A chilling and suspenseful tale
Review: In "Choice of Evil" Vachss cleverly uses the ghost of his most memorable supporting charachter, the assassain Wesley, to fuel his best Burke novel since "Hard Candy" (not coincidentally, the one that killed Wesley off). Vachss's knife edge prose is as hardboiled and authentic as any modern detective fiction. This novel also keeps up with the evil we see in today's headlines. Overall, one of the better entries in the Burke series.
Rating:
Summary: Elegies on Love and Loyalty in Vachss' Latest Novel
Review: In every one of his novels, Andrew Vachss manages to break his readers' hearts; at the end of each story, he makes them whole with the precision of his technique and the depth of his compassion. Vachss' latest book is vivid addition to his works. CHOICE OF EVIL is ambitious and complex, full of sympathetic characters and thrilling twists. I recommend it with great pleasure.
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