The classic novel from “America’s best crime novelist” (Time), with a new introduction by Dennis LehaneGeorge V. Higgins’s seminal crime novel is a down-and-dirty tale of thieves, mobsters, and cops on the mean streets of Boston. When small-time gunrunner Eddie Coyle is convicted on a felony, he’s looking at three years in the pen–that is, unless he sells out one of his big-fish clients to the … big-fish clients to the DA. But which of the many hoods, gunmen, and executioners whom he calls his friends should he send up the river? Told almost entirely in crackling dialogue by a vivid cast of lowlifes and detectives, The Friends of Eddie Coyle is one of the greatest crime novels ever written.
The best crime novel ever written–makes The Maltese Falcon read like Nancy Drew. — Elmore Leonard
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Higgins lets his characters go about their business without the burden of reflection, doubt or regret.
They inhabit a natural world of deceit and scheming; friend and foe alike are told what they want to hear, each successive teller calculates which version of the truth will suit his own purpose (and it is always a ‘he’, except for Wanda), …
Gas a hard time Getting through It: too much talk, little action
Incredible dialogue.
This was a quick read. The dialogue is wonderful; spot on. Sadly, there were no characters to really root for.
Not as good as the hype. Glad I read it, interesting writing techniques just using almost all dialogue, but I won’t read it again.
Great dialog, great character development, realistic picture of the seamy Boston underworld of several years ago.
As the introduction by D. Lehane says, this book is all in the dialogue. Not a spoiler, but when you get to the “grilled cheese” discussion, you’ll know that that alone was worth the whole read. If you like te crime or noir genre, this book is one of the best, one of the seminal reads. It’s up there with Get Carter or the Continental Op. If you …
Though this book is a “classic,” I found it difficult to follow since I am not familiar with the world it depicts nor some of the vocabulary used.
I purchased this book due to the outstanding review it had. However, it involved so many mobsters and just ended in the middle, with no distinct “ending.” I was
somewhat disapointed.
George V. Higgins is a superb writer, especially dialogue, which comprises most of this novel. The world he creates is unflinchingly tough, harsh and unforgiving. Reading this is a rich experience, but do not expect a conventional, tidy, positive experience. At the end, you will mainly say too yourself…..”daaaaaaammmmnnn”.
An excellent crime novel with some of the best dialogue you’ll ever read. Elmore Leonard and David Mamet both think Higgins was the best dialogue writer.
Great dialogue, a look at the underside of organized crime
Liked the dialogue. Depressingly realistic. Fine writing. Tough stuff.
Excellent! An all-time classic. Do not miss it.
Some of the best “ wise guy” dialogue you will ever see. If it inspired Elmore Leonard, what’s not to love?
Nobody does characters and their dialogue like George Higgins