Carlucci

Rating:
Summary: Gritty but poignant tales in a strange, strange San Fran
Review: "Carlucci" is often lumped in with cyberpunk, but it really has nothing to do with virtual reality or artificial intelligence or any of the computer and network focus that resides at the heart of that genre. "Carlucci" in truth is three hard-boiled detective yarns set in a down-and-really-out mid-21st century San Francisco.

As another reviewer mentions, the first tale isn't actually about Carlucci, but the story does set the stage for the SF police detective's starring role in the second two tales. The three stories are distinct and complete, not linked other than by the occassional re-appearance of minor characters.

The plots were involved enough to hold my interest, but not so convoluted that I lost track of what was happening. But Russo's real strength is in his descriptive power and ability to elicit our empathy for many of the scumbags that lurk in his gritty world. "Stark" might be the best word to describe how Russo describes the chaos and tensions of a Bay Area polarized into a gleaming Financial District and the Tenderloin, a teeming zone of danger and opportunity for outcasts, thugs and perverts. I found myself aching at times with the poignancy with which these novels are drawn.

"Carlucci" always fascinates. The strange and bizarre constantly crawl across the page. There is little in the way of flashy technology, gadgets and science. Instead, the book's weirdness is rooted firmly in its main characters and supporting cast. Russo envisions a segment of society for whom all taboo and restriction has broken down. Mutilated "spikeheads", insane "head cages", Inquisitor-like "saints", ultra-intelligent but bloated "slugs", the fervently religious "screamers" with their mouths surgically sewn shut... Russo keeps the parade of pervsion coming hard and fast.

And in the middle of it all is Carlucci, a career detective with a normal family, a fondess for the jazz trumpet, and a dependence on black coffee that is as relentless as his pursuit of whatever scraps of justice he can scavenge from a corrupt system. Another reviewer felt Carlucci's basic goodness made him less interesting, but I found it actually heightened the sense of peril as you so desperately want things to turn out well at least for this one poor guy. There are plenty of morally suspect and flawed characters present to impart a sense of hazard. And believe me, you won't forget the baddies, either. Russo rarely relies on a Stephen King-like shock factor, eschewing graphic violence and gore in favor of mood, suspense and dialogue.

One caveat. These are relentlessly sad stories. There are some lighthearted moments, but the overall atmosphere is dark and gritty and depressing. Carlucci is one guy making his way in a rotten system. All victories are Pyrrhic. Main characters die, with zero regard for age, gender or moral fortitude. Like Carlucci and the rest of his society, you'll just have to live with that.

Rating:
Summary: Think "Blade Runner" without violence or flying cars
Review: As much as I want to give this omnibus 5 stars, I just can't. I've seen what Russo can do when he's at the top of his game (just pick up a copy of "Ship of Fools" and you'll get what I mean) and the three books that comprise this volume don't quite cut it.

This does not mean that "Carlucci" ain't worth the read. Far from it. Russo does a wonderful job sidestepping most all of the red-herrings and cliches that normally clutter the cyberpunk genre. Sure, there are a few here. Good cops going up against shadowy corporations. Police officers driven to alcoholism and suicide by the things they see on a daily basis. Etc...

Russo's 21st San Francisco occupies such a vivid world, generates such intense interest in the reader, that idiotic chase scenes, useless gunplay and overly graphic violence are all unnecessary. The intrigue, the characters, and the story are all that's needed. Russo delivers.

As I said before, "Carlucci" does not compare to Russo's masterwork, "Ship of Fools". Whereas "Ship of Fools" took on themes of spirituality, alienation and love (not to mention a decent dose of horror) and ran with them, the books collected in "Carlucci" are straightforward detective novels set in the future.

I have one complaint. The major character of the first "Carlucci" book, "Destroying Angel", is NOT Frank Carlucci, but Louis Tanner, a burnt-out ex-cop who trafficks in illegal medicine. I liked Tanner. Alot. I felt a little cheated when the later books, "Carlucci's Edge" and "Carlucci's Heart" eschewed the Tanner character entirely. While Carlucci is interesting, he's a cop anti-stereotype. He's still married. Loves his family. Doesn't drink or smoke to excess and isn't given to violence as a way to solve his issues. In short, the man has some principles. Its a nice idea, but it makes everything seem a little less than dangerous.

Despite that, "Carlucci" is still a compelling read.

Rating:
Summary: Think "Blade Runner" without violence or flying cars
Review: As much as I want to give this omnibus 5 stars, I just can't. I've seen what Russo can do when he's at the top of his game (just pick up a copy of "Ship of Fools" and you'll get what I mean) and the three books that comprise this volume don't quite cut it.

This does not mean that "Carlucci" ain't worth the read. Far from it. Russo does a wonderful job sidestepping most all of the red-herrings and cliches that normally clutter the cyberpunk genre. Sure, there are a few here. Good cops going up against shadowy corporations. Police officers driven to alcoholism and suicide by the things they see on a daily basis. Etc...

Russo's 21st San Francisco occupies such a vivid world, generates such intense interest in the reader, that idiotic chase scenes, useless gunplay and overly graphic violence are all unnecessary. The intrigue, the characters, and the story are all that's needed. Russo delivers.

As I said before, "Carlucci" does not compare to Russo's masterwork, "Ship of Fools". Whereas "Ship of Fools" took on themes of spirituality, alienation and love (not to mention a decent dose of horror) and ran with them, the books collected in "Carlucci" are straightforward detective novels set in the future.

I have one complaint. The major character of the first "Carlucci" book, "Destroying Angel", is NOT Frank Carlucci, but Louis Tanner, a burnt-out ex-cop who trafficks in illegal medicine. I liked Tanner. Alot. I felt a little cheated when the later books, "Carlucci's Edge" and "Carlucci's Heart" eschewed the Tanner character entirely. While Carlucci is interesting, he's a cop anti-stereotype. He's still married. Loves his family. Doesn't drink or smoke to excess and isn't given to violence as a way to solve his issues. In short, the man has some principles. Its a nice idea, but it makes everything seem a little less than dangerous.

Despite that, "Carlucci" is still a compelling read.