You Were Never Really Here (Movie Tie-In)

By: Jonathan Ames

Narrated by: Jonathan Ames

Length: 2 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's Summary

Now a major motion picture starring Joaquin Phoenix, You Were Never Really Here is a gritty, harrowing story of corruption and one man's violent quest for vengeance.

Joe has witnessed things that cannot be erased. A former FBI agent and Marine, his abusive childhood has left him damaged beyond repair. He has completely withdrawn from the world and earns his living rescuing girls who have been kidnapped into the sex trade.

When he's hired to save the daughter of a corrupt New York senator held captive at a Manhattan brothel, he stumbles into a dangerous web of conspiracy, and he pays the price. As Joe's small web of associates are picked off one by one, he realizes that he has no choice but to take the fight to the men who want him dead.

Brutal and redemptive in equal measure, You Were Never Really Here is a toxic shot of a thriller, laced with corruption, revenge and the darkest of inner demons.
 

Cover art © Amazon Content Services LLC  

©2018 Jonathan Ames (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic Reviews

"Ames is an adept purveyor of the very noir, particular scenes of violence. He achieves more in less than 100 pages than most crime novels three times the length do." (The Times, Crime Books of the Year 2016)

"A striking and powerful noir debut that can be consumed in a single sitting.... Ames reveals himself here as a stylish thriller writer." (Daily Mail)

"[A] fast-moving, agreeably violent and perfectly pared-down novella." (Spectator)

Terrific short story

Do you have a 3 hour drive coming up. This is a terrific story of the depths to which humanity can sink to but also one of finding some kind of redemption in this world. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Although not as complete as the film it is better.

Although not as complete as the film it is better.

I wish there was more but... see I can don't too.

The movie was actually better

I watched this movie the other day and thought if the movie was that good, the book must be amazing. Was I wrong!! I’m actually glad the movie had the ending it did so I didn’t have to guess at what came next. Also, the book gave a little more insight into Joe’s thoughts, but not nearly as much as I was hoping for. It is well written, though, and well read.

Really enjoyed it.

The book and the film are both great in their own right. whether you have watched the film and want greater insight or you are looking for a good read. I recommend this book.

Excellent Story

I love this story! First the film, then bought the paperback, and just finished the audio. Joe is an excellent character and the pragmatic sensibility of the entire narrative gives the story such harsh relevance. I hope Ames writes more stories like this in the future.

Would be great if it were finished

Amazing that an unfinished work can be published. Not even a complete short story.
Book ends just when it might have continued to be an excellent story.

Great dark protagonist, solid writing

It's refreshing to read a novel that isn't padded with extraneous prose just to reach a word count. This dark, compact story boasts enough pretty passages to be endearing yet aren't a distraction from the subject matter. From Ames bio, I expected some humor but I'm also a fan of doing something different. I think this story displays Ames' diversity. I prefer a novel that gives a reader something different than the movie adaption (and vice versa) and this is the case here. I would be (as some other reviewers have mentioned) interested in a sequel. If you like a dark, psychological, well-written, concise read for an afternoon or a short road trip, this is for you. It may, however, leave you wanting more.

endings

The endings of the book & the movie adaptation are different. and both are great. Equally

Good stuff!

Ames has a Pinchon quality voice and his own material to work with. Solid all the way around.

great book

good. I would recommend it to anyone wanting a good short story about a man