Friday, November 23, 2012

Tribute Books: "Under the Eye of God" by Jerome Charyn Book Review


Under the Eye of God Book Summary
After decades of madness in the Bronx, Isaac Sidel visits the craziest state in the country.Isaac Sidel is too popular to be America’s vice president. Once the New York Police Department commissioner, he became the most beloved mayor in the city’s history—famous for his refusal to surrender his Glock, and for his habit of disappearing for months at a time to fight crime at street level. So when baseball czar J. Michael Storm asks Sidel to join him on the election’s Democratic ticket, the two wild men romp to an unprecedented landslide. But as the president-elect’s mandate goes off the rails—threatened by corruption, sex, and God knows what else—he tires of being overshadowed by Sidel, and dispatches him to a place from which tough politicians seldom return: Texas.

In the Lone Star state, Sidel confronts rogue astrologers, accusations of pedophilia, and a dimwitted assassin who doesn’t know when to take an easy shot. If this Bronx bomber doesn’t watch his step, he risks making vice-presidential history by getting killed on the job.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I think the thing that really struck me about this book was the political corruption detailed.  From the beginning of the book, I was intrigued, and it made me think about whether the book was realistic or not.  So much has changed within the U.S. and continues to do so, but if this indicative of some of the things that go on in government, well, I am kind of frightened.  How can a vice-president who does nothing but underhanded deals be so well liked?

I was glad there were no sex scenes and no nasty scenes of violence within this book.  However, there was some profanity and although not as rampant as I thought, the profanity in this book is hardcore.  I have to admit that I found myself bored at times in spite of the intriguing topic.  I think that if had a background in politics, I may have connected with the characters more.  While this book was not a book that really impacted me, the premise really made me think.  I always like books that keep my brain working.  And if I study up on my politics, I just may understand this book more.

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.


Jerome Charyn's Bio:
Jerome Charyn (b. 1937) is the critically acclaimed author of nearly fifty books. Born in the Bronx, he attended Columbia College, where he fell in love with the works of William Faulkner and James Joyce. After graduating, he took a job as a playground director and wrote in his spare time, producing his first novel, a Lower East Side fairytale called Once Upon a Droshky, in 1964.

In 1974 Charyn published Blue Eyes, his first Isaac Sidel mystery. Begun as a distraction while trying to finish a different book, this first in a series of Sidel novels introduced the eccentric, near-mythic detective and his bizarre cast of sidekicks. Charyn followed the character through Citizen Sidel (1999), which ends with his antihero making a run at the White House. Charyn, who divides his time between New York and Paris, is also accomplished at table tennis, and once ranked amongst France’s top Amazon10 percent of ping-pong players.

Paperback
Price: $14.99
Release: October 30, 2012

Amazon buy link
http://www.amazon.com/dp/145327099X?tag=tributebooks-20

Barnes and Noble buy link

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/under-the-eye-of-god-jerome-charyn/1112412821?ean=9781453270998


Jerome Charyn's web site:
http://www.jeromecharyn.com/
Jerome Charyn's Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/jerome.charyn
Jerome Charyn's Twitter:
http://twitter.com/jeromecharyn

Isaac Sidel's Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/IsaacSidel

Isaac Sidel's Twitter:
https://twitter.com/#!/IsaacSidel

Tribute Books Blog Tours Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tribute-Books-Blog-Tours/242431245775186


Under the Eye of God blog tour site--follow the entire tour:
http://undertheeyeofgod.blogspot.com/

1 comment:

  1. Ruth, thanks for taking the time to read and review Jerome's book.

    ReplyDelete

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