Shooting for the Mob (Based on the Incredible True Story)

by Alex Ferrari
Shooting for the Mob (Based on the Incredible True Story) cover
Good Books rating 4.62
Technical
  • ID: 5082
  • Added: 2025-10-22
  • Updated: 2025-10-22
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
thriftbooks.com · Unknown · 2025-10-22
brilliant 4.50

The book is a collection of interconnected narratives centered around the music industry, exploring themes of time, memory, and the inevitability of change. It's praised for its clever structure and emotional depth, though some find the ending unsatisfying.

A Visit from the Goon Squad is a novel that weaves together multiple stories, all connected to the music industry. The characters include an aging record producer, his troubled assistant, and a variety of other individuals whose lives intersect in meaningful ways. The book delves into themes of time, memory, and the passage of life, showing how our past selves are always with us, even as we change. The narrative structure is innovative, with one chapter even presented as a PowerPoint, which adds a unique layer to the storytelling. While the book is celebrated for its cleverness and emotional resonance, some readers find the ending to be less satisfying, feeling that it doesn't fully resolve the complex web of stories.

Quick quotes

    Spoiler alert: You will get old. You will die. Things will never be like they are right now. And yet, how things are right now will determine how they are in the future. This is so.

    The 'goon' in the title of this book is time.

    It's beautiful and clever and very smart, and, okay, a little bit heartbreaking.

indiefilmhustle.com · Unknown · 2025-10-22
rave 5.00

The reviewer found Jennifer Egan's 'A Visit from the Goon Squad' intelligent and engaging, praising its complex characters and unique storytelling techniques. They recommend reading it before 'The Candy House' and found the book's themes of time and self-promotion compelling.

The reviewer returned to Jennifer Egan's 'A Visit from the Goon Squad' after enjoying 'The Candy House' and was impressed by the connections between the two books. They recommend reading 'A Visit from the Goon Squad' first to gauge the writing style and characterisation. The reviewer found the characters complex and flawed, and the literary games enjoyable rather than gimmicky. The themes of time and self-promotion were particularly engaging, with the final chapter's take on influencers being prescient. The reviewer rarely rereads books but found this one as smart and exciting the second time around, leading to a rave review.

Quick quotes

    I found this book intelligent and engaging.

    A number of the negative reviews comment on being unable to connect with the characters, and finding them somewhat cold, or disconnected.

    The final chapter has a prescient take on Influencers that has probably become more accurate since publication.

audible.co.uk · Unknown · 2025-10-22
thrilling 4.50

The reviewer found the book to be a thrilling and engaging read, praising the author's ability to capture the intensity of the events. They appreciated the unique perspective and the fast-paced narrative.

The reviewer was captivated by the book's gripping story and the author's skillful storytelling. They particularly enjoyed the unique perspective offered by the protagonist, which added depth to the narrative. The fast-paced action kept them on the edge of their seat, making it a hard book to put down. The reviewer also appreciated the historical context and the way the author brought the events to life. Overall, they found the book to be a thrilling and engaging read that they would highly recommend to fans of true crime and suspense.

Quick quotes

    The story is so intense and gripping

    I couldn't put it down

    The author's writing style is engaging and keeps you hooked from start to finish.

booktopia.com.au · Unknown · 2019-03-19
brilliant 4.50

The reviewer praises Jennifer Egan's 'A Visit From the Goon Squad' for its innovative structure and compelling narrative, highlighting the author's ability to weave together multiple storylines and perspectives. The book is described as a remarkable piece of fiction that defies traditional genre classifications, offering a unique and engaging reading experience.

Jennifer Egan's 'A Visit From the Goon Squad' is a groundbreaking work of fiction that challenges conventional storytelling. The reviewer commends Egan's ability to seamlessly connect various characters and timelines, creating a cohesive and captivating narrative. The book's structure, which includes a PowerPoint presentation and a futuristic vision of New York, showcases Egan's versatility and creativity. The reviewer also appreciates the book's exploration of themes such as love, regret, and the passage of time, which are woven throughout the story. Overall, 'A Visit From the Goon Squad' is praised for its originality and emotional depth, making it a standout piece of contemporary literature.

Quick quotes

    The reviewer describes the book as "a remarkable piece of fiction that defies traditional genre classifications

    The reviewer notes that "there is a madness to her method

    The reviewer praises Egan's ability to "write successfully in the second person" and "make a moving narrative out of a PowerPoint presentation

Appears in Lists