Savages

A Novel

By: Don Winslow

Narrated by: Michael Kramer

Length: 7 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

Part-time environmentalist and philanthropist Ben and his ex-mercenary buddy Chon run an independent Laguna Beach–based marijuana operation, reaping significant profits from an established clientele. But they may have come up against something that they can't handle---the Mexican Baja Cartel wants in, and saying no is unacceptable. When they refuse to back down, the cartel kidnaps Ophelia, the boys' playmate and confidante. O's abduction sets off a dizzying array of ingenious negotiations and gripping plot twists that will captivate listeners eager to learn the costs of freedom and the price of an amazing high.

©2010 Samburu, Inc. (P)2010 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A spellbinding, tour de force that is utterly impossible to put down. Savages is, bar none, the finest novel I have read in years." (Christopher Reich, author of Rules of Deception)

True to the title! If you like it dirty...

Read it! It's hot, it's raw, it's wild! ...in the beginning just pay attention to the characters they are telling you about and just get ready for the ride. It's a fun one!

Great book.

Winslow one of only a handful of master storytellers. Savages lives up to his best work. His unique feel for the culture of coastal Southern California makes me actually miss the place, and while I’m listening, his characters are alive, actual living people. Don Winslow is the only author I know who can make make fiction seem like non-fiction, and Savages is a stunning example of his abilities. The only downside is very little else measures up after listening to or reading a Don Winslow book.

SoCal Don Winslow Style

This is my fourth Don Winslow book and he is amazing. He certainly has his finger on the culture of the "underbelly" of Southern California. He supplies us with a rich tapestry of life styles so different from our own. He knows the history of the area and weaves these interesting stories into his books. His sense of humor, including a large dose of sarcasm, always has me laughing out loud. His style has you not wanting to shut off the player.

Brutal greed and love story

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Very well written and great use of language. I was in a constant state of anticipation. The chapter organization was annoying and the ending was disappointing, well written still just not what I wanted to happen. Great, great book.

Compelling

Would you listen to Savages again? Why?

No. I've heard it.

Any additional comments?

This reads very visually so it is nice to listen to while driving. Not great "literature", but it is compelling.

Outstanding narration carries the day

Would you listen to Savages again? Why?

Yes. It's a compelling story with well-drawn characters and a sprawling feel to it.

Have you listened to any of Michael Kramer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes. I listened to GALVESTON, in which he was sensational, and that was what led me to SAVAGES.

Any additional comments?

The prose in this book is very different. Very staccato. And Kramer handles it with ease, bringing it to the listener's ears in a smooth fashion.

Entertaining

0ne. The story is simply entertaining. It's not great but it helped me get through my commute and work day.

Two. Michael Kramer's performance was fun, comedic, wry and soooo Laguna Beach.

Three. Winslow's writing style works for this tale.

Four. Short pause.

Five. I really don't care for the chapter markers. Question, this audiobook contained how many chapter markers?

Six. This is the end of my review.

Savages - Power of the dog - Cartel

It's the imagery for me! I like how it feels so local! Don Winslow never disappoints!

A crazy ride!

I thoroughly enjoyed this wacky, violent story about drug dealers. The characters are not people I would ever call likeable, but I was sucked in to their unique world and actually found myself pulling for these guys.

An ex-soldier/mercenary-type of guy teams up with an over privileged humanitarian-type of guy to produce top quality marijuana bred from seeds brought back from Afghanistan. When they find themselves being taken over by the Baja Cartel, Ben and Chon attempt to find a way out. But then “O,” the woman in their life, gets kidnapped and things really start to get crazy.

The Highly stylized narrative worked for me too. One word chapters could be viewed as tacky and a sign of a bad writer trying too hard but there is substance to Mr. Winslow’s style. It works. The narrator also succeeds in portraying the smug, hipster attitude required of the story. The fast pace and quirky stops and pauses are done perfectly.

great

good stuff in a pulp fiction kind of way. reminds me of elmore leonard but a little lighter.