In his fourth novel, Dave Zeltserman has managed to outdo himself and created even more worthless characters than those who peopled his last book, “Small Crimes, perhaps best exemplified by its protagonist, Kyle Nevin. To say that Kyle is unsympathetic is to greatly understate the matter. The right-hand man of “the” mob boss in his South Boston neighborhood, he had done whatever was asked of him, e.g., killing people, breaking legs, picking up protection money, and robbing banks, the last of which put him in prison for eight years for armed robbery. Kyle served the whole length of the 5-8 year sentence imposed, so as not to be troubled by any potential parole conditions or plea agreements.
As the book opens Kyle, now 42 years old, has just been released from prison, fueled in equal parts by plans of revenge against the man who had set him up – none other than his former boss/mentor/protector [for whom he had worked since he was 11 years old], as well as straightening things out – one way or the other – with the woman he had loved, who had broken off all contact with him the day after his sentencing. Self-described as being “like a pit-bull, all he needed was the smell of blood to bring out his true nature,” seemingly comprised in equal parts of rage and sang froid. And just when you think things can’t get any worse – well, you know how that tune goes.
One of the things that sets this book apart, in addition to the fast-moving plot, is that its narrative form is apparently a proposed manuscript being written by the now celebrity-gangster-turned-author for whom the public has apparently developed a voracious appetite. The satire invited by this is done to a turn. But the book is unquestionably very dark, and its protagonist utterly despicable. Although very well-written, it is so difficult to find any redeeming quality in any of the characters that I am ambivalent about recommending it, but nevertheless find that I am doing just that.
Pariah is Zeltserman’s best novel. Hilarious, nasty, smart, and the very definition of a basement crazy novel. One of my favorites of recent years.
I’ll echo the Nerd of Noir. Pariah is the one that secured a permanent place for all of Zeltserman’s books on my shelves.
Nerd went 24 whole words without an expletive?
Clearly, that comment was made by an impostor.
My spinetingler account has clearly been hacked! By someone with fucking AMAZING taste, of course.