A Man in Full
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A Man in Full
by Authors:
Tom Wolfe
Released: 05 October, 1999
ISBN: 0553580930
Mass Market Paperback
Sales Rank: 6,899
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List price:
$8.50
Our price:
$8.50
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| Book > A Man in Full > Customer Reviews: |
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Average Customer Rating: 
A Man in Full >
Customer Review #1:
 The Glass is Half "Full"
I suspect that Tom Wolfe is one of those writers who you either love his work, or you hate it. This being my first foray into his books, I loved "A Man in Full". My motivations for picking up this book were not pure: Id read an article about the apparent feud between Wolfe and John Irving and decided to read both. Being that the book was 787 pages, I figured I would settle in for a long, dull book, but "A Man in Full" was fast-paced, funny, and a pleasure to read.This was one of those rare books where I went to bed reading, and woke up wanting to read more. Wolfes writing style is unique (some might say just outright BAD), but I found it very easy to read. Moreover, I was really interested in finding out what would happen to the central characters, and how the seemingly separate story lines would all come together. As much as I loved this book there are a couple of things that keep it from being a 5-star read. First, the plot of escaped convict-turned-messenger of Zeus Conrad Hensley is a bit out there. Second, Wolfe has this annoying way of translating his characters dialogue, especially Charlie Crokers Southern drawl. Come on, most of have read Huck Finn or seen "Gone with the Wind", we know how the stereotypical Southerner talks. And Conrads cellmate, Five-O, talks like Jar Jar Binks (I was thankful Wolf translated HIS lines). Other than that, I greatly enjoyed "A Man in Full" and would recommend it for those looking for a book that will make you think and laugh.
A Man in Full >
Customer Review #2:
 A Great American Novel!
Tom Wolfe not only understands todays America as well as anyone, he has the nerve to try to put everything about it into one novel. As in Bonfire of the Vanities, he tells a convoluted, but compelling story involving people from all levels of society, with lots of hilarious and spectacular scenes, and many dead-on character types. He touches all the bases of our contemporary life: money and status, race relations(and money), relations between the sexes (and money), politics (and money) -- you name it. Okay, it takes a little while for the plot really to get going, but theres so much in this book -- literally dozens of scenes, descriptions, observations, that are so perfect that if even only a few of them appeared in some other novel they would make it memorable (the workout scene; the Turpmtine scenes; the prison scenes)-- that its well worth the ride. While as a native New Yorker I loved Bonfires, I think in this book Wolfe is even better -- his tone is a little less shrill and manic, and he manages to blend some respect for his main characters (where appropriate) along with the satire. Wolfe is our Dickens; having read his dissections of the Big Apple and the New South, I can only hope that he considers taking on Washington DC next (provided he can come up with a fictional plot stranger than reality).
A Man in Full >
Customer Review #3:
 View of Real Life
What I loved most about this book was Wolfes characterization of Charlie Croker, a man I meet over and over again in real life. He is a true southerner, rich and powerful and ignorant of the more "delicate" issues of life, like the feelings of those who work for him. He thinks of himself as democratic, but instead he is patronizing. That Charlie gets his comeuppance is a strong point in the book. Unfortunately, in Wolfes books there isnt anyone to really LIKE, and therefore, that doesnt put it at the top of the literary heap - in my opinion. I like to be able to identify with at least one of the characters, and this book isnt like that. Still its a very good, interesting and easy read.
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A Man in Full >
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