Review of 422:
Posted: 08 Sep 2021, 11:54
[Following is a volunteer review of "422:" by Danny Range.]
Bruno Marchesi has not been in contact with his family for 5 years as he tries to make a life for himself away from crime, drugs, tax evasion, etc. He has been five years sober and is focused on getting his life on track. First in his family to go to college Bruno finally gets his first job. However, on his first day, he gets a worrisome text from her grandmother and he already thinks there is something weird about his workplace. He having a crush on his boss’s mistress isn’t helping the case either. Story of a man struggling to make a clean life for himself and keeping his past and family hidden, 422: is an honest confession from the personal diary of Bruno ‘white face’ Marchesi.
The book is a very honest attempt of Danny Range to provide a very close look into the life of a drug addict having several panic attacks in a day but that’s all I could think of as a good enough reason for continuing the book. One of the only few things that I liked about the book was the last chapter which has a very strong message for all the people who are fighting addiction, alcoholism, and mental health issues and trying a second chance at life.
Although the book looks intriguing and starts with a good enough plot and ends with a strong message there is not much in the book to keep you turning the pages one after the other. The storyline starts with a very interesting arch but after the first few chapters, I found myself making a list in my mind for continuing the book. I finished it hoping for it to get better till the end page but it didn’t. Bruno Marchesi feels a connection to one of his colleagues Sandra Haiz but there is no chemistry not even some sexual tension which makes someone invested in the love story. The protagonist, who actually acts nothing like one, just goes through life and even his life story isn’t written well. At one point his forgetting the hours of his life under the influence of drugs starts looking like an excuse for not writing. Bruno starts on a journey of redeeming himself and making a life and throughout the book he is just chasing a girl with whom he doesn't even have enough conversation for them to be friends let alone get involved romantically.
I’ll rate this book 2 out of 4 stars for the strong message and the opening chapters which got me invested in the book. However, there were few grammatical errors and the very frivolous plot of the book which makes me stop at 2 stars and not go for 3.
I’ll recommend 422: to readers who like mafia stories but don’t keep your expectations high with the plot. However, if panic attacks, drug use, alcoholism, and lots of swearing aren’t something that you are comfortable with this might not be the best pick for you.
******
422:
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Bruno Marchesi has not been in contact with his family for 5 years as he tries to make a life for himself away from crime, drugs, tax evasion, etc. He has been five years sober and is focused on getting his life on track. First in his family to go to college Bruno finally gets his first job. However, on his first day, he gets a worrisome text from her grandmother and he already thinks there is something weird about his workplace. He having a crush on his boss’s mistress isn’t helping the case either. Story of a man struggling to make a clean life for himself and keeping his past and family hidden, 422: is an honest confession from the personal diary of Bruno ‘white face’ Marchesi.
The book is a very honest attempt of Danny Range to provide a very close look into the life of a drug addict having several panic attacks in a day but that’s all I could think of as a good enough reason for continuing the book. One of the only few things that I liked about the book was the last chapter which has a very strong message for all the people who are fighting addiction, alcoholism, and mental health issues and trying a second chance at life.
Although the book looks intriguing and starts with a good enough plot and ends with a strong message there is not much in the book to keep you turning the pages one after the other. The storyline starts with a very interesting arch but after the first few chapters, I found myself making a list in my mind for continuing the book. I finished it hoping for it to get better till the end page but it didn’t. Bruno Marchesi feels a connection to one of his colleagues Sandra Haiz but there is no chemistry not even some sexual tension which makes someone invested in the love story. The protagonist, who actually acts nothing like one, just goes through life and even his life story isn’t written well. At one point his forgetting the hours of his life under the influence of drugs starts looking like an excuse for not writing. Bruno starts on a journey of redeeming himself and making a life and throughout the book he is just chasing a girl with whom he doesn't even have enough conversation for them to be friends let alone get involved romantically.
I’ll rate this book 2 out of 4 stars for the strong message and the opening chapters which got me invested in the book. However, there were few grammatical errors and the very frivolous plot of the book which makes me stop at 2 stars and not go for 3.
I’ll recommend 422: to readers who like mafia stories but don’t keep your expectations high with the plot. However, if panic attacks, drug use, alcoholism, and lots of swearing aren’t something that you are comfortable with this might not be the best pick for you.
******
422:
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon