Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #187456 in Books
• Published on: 2004-07-05
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

New York Times
'Selby's place is in the front-rank of American novelists ... To understand his work is to understand the anguish of America'

Financial Times
`One of the six best novelists writing in the English language'

Al Alvarez
`A masterpiece'

Customer Reviews

Shocking, Exciting but Chapter 5 - Boring
I had never read any of Selbys books before, the closest I came to any of his work was watching Requiem for a Dream. The book is gripping to start off with, I liked the introduction and how Selby mentioned that this was his first book and the only reason he started writing for fear of dying and not having done anything with his life.
The first chapter was short and violent and opened up the story and exposes you to the street violence in Brooklyn. Selby doesn't give opinions on anything, he just tells the story and leaves you to think what you want to think. The reason I make that point is because there is a lot of strong questions subliminally underlined in the stories. Through this book he is pointing out the defects in society and the incorrigible mess. He writes it in such a way at times it seems like a sad street ballad playing out to the reader (and I'm sure Selby intended this).
The book is very funny in parts as well and at moments I found myself laughing out loud to myself.
The only criticism I would make is on part 5 the chapter about the strike. I felt this chapter really dragged and I felt it was really boring and overally discriptive. I like the overall story but I think it should've been cut down to size. I really struggled through with this part and it's unfortunate that this chapter is actually the longest chapter!
I still recommend the book as a good read but I don't recommend chapter 5 as it was too damn long.

A compelling yet uneasy read
I am very glad that I've read this book, but now I have, I will never read it again.

It is a hard-boiled account about marginalised people - a prostitute, a transvestite, a convict, and a sexually troubled trade union leader amongst others. The style of writing is utterly refreshing and compelling, the characterisation astonishing, and beating from deep within the book is a heart and humanity. It is not though a dispassioned or sanitised book - the words "raw" and "gritty" are a massive understatement at times.

Be in no doubt that this book can be brutal, it pulls no punches and it often leaves a dirty bloody taste in your mouth whilst reading it.

It's a very good book, there's no doubt about it, but be prepared for a painful and uneasy read. There are no happy endings.

First word on the last exit
Last Exit To Brooklyn is a masterpiece and an incredible work of genius. In effect Last Exit is a collection of short (and shortish) stories with a variety of themes ranging from transvestism to drugs, rape, violance and even trade union disputes!! With this book Hubert Selby Jnr placed himself side by side with the worlds greatest writers. Last Exit trawls through the seedy darkside of Brooklyns post war streets in a manner that is both shocking and fascinating. This book is a must read.