OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Contract Pending" by Al Marsiglia.]

At age eighty-one, Al Marsiglia presents us with his debut novel Contract Pending. While his own experiences growing up in an Italian-American neighborhood in New York City provided influence for the events of this story, this book is completely fictional.

Following in the footsteps of Italian-American Mafioso classics such as The Godfather and Goodfellas, Contract Pending tells the story of twenty-five year old Frankie Fiore and his recruitment into the loan-sharking business. The neighborhood boss, Jimmy Provitera, invites Frankie to make a few bucks by helping him out on a delivery. Against his father’s strong wishes to stay away from Jimmy and his no-good crowd, Frankie joins Jimmy and begins to learn about “making collections” from customers with outstanding loans. In spite of being a bit soft and unconventional relative to the standard way that collections are usually handled, Frankie manages to impress Jimmy, who decides to keep Frankie around on a full-time basis.

Frankie, on the other hand, decides that he wants out. But before he can officially retire, his partner steals all the cash from the biggest collection they have ever been assigned, and then he loses all of it at the horse races. Now facing extreme consequences, Frankie has no choice but to go on the run and stay hidden. However, no matter where he goes, someone’s life is always in danger.

I enjoyed this novel for its fast-paced and easy-to-read style. Even readers, like myself, who are not familiar with the local lingo, can easily understand everything throughout the book. The beginning of the story provides a good setting and background, without being bogged down with too much description or unnecessary detail. As the story moves on, it becomes even more action-packed, with even fewer details and much more focus on the action and dialogue. For some readers, this might be a positive point, but I personally felt like the story just moved too quickly, without much focus on emotions, internal conflict, or character development. Frankie’s character, in particular, seemed to be a completely different person at the end of the book, yet I couldn’t follow any clear path to account for the change in his personality. Some insight into Frankie’s thoughts or emotions regarding his situation would have been helpful in clarifying his evolution.

Due to the reasons stated above, I give Contract Pending a rating of 3 out of 4 stars. It is definitely an action-packed, page-turning novel filled with suspense, violence, and foul language. This book would be best for readers who just want to get to the meat of the story, without being dragged along with lots of details and literary fluff.

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Contract Pending
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Like ALynnPowers's review? Post a comment saying so!

Thanks for a great review. I might like this book. Does that make me shallow? Haha. The world of the Mafia and organized crime has always been interesting to me, especially during the 1920's & 30's.

Not my cup of tea, but I enjoyed reading your review.

I am glad you enjoyed this novel for its fast-paced and easy-to-read style.

The success of The Godfather laid in its ability to show the readers what the characters were feeling. I hope in his next book about Mafia Al Marsiglia will follow your advice on character development. Great review, ALynnPowers.

the story just moved too quickly, without much focus on emotions, internal conflict, or character development. Frankie’s character, in particular, seemed to be a completely different person at the end of the book, yet I couldn’t follow any clear path to account for the change in his personality. Some insight into Frankie’s thoughts or emotions regarding his situation would have been helpful in clarifying his evolution.

This was really good constructive criticism; and an all-around great review. I enjoyed reading it!

Tanaya wrote:

the story just moved too quickly, without much focus on emotions, internal conflict, or character development. Frankie’s character, in particular, seemed to be a completely different person at the end of the book, yet I couldn’t follow any clear path to account for the change in his personality. Some insight into Frankie’s thoughts or emotions regarding his situation would have been helpful in clarifying his evolution.

This was really good constructive criticism; and an all-around great review. I enjoyed reading it!

I actually did something constructive??? It's a miracle!! Thanks!

Not my type of book but we'll done on your review

PashaRu wrote:Thanks for a great review. I might like this book. Does that make me shallow? Haha. The world of the Mafia and organized crime has always been interesting to me, especially during the 1920's & 30's.

I don't understand how that would make you shallow? I'm the one who chose it in the first place. Does that make me shallow? I can't swim in deep water. Does THAT make me shallow?

Actually, I lied. I can totally swim.

ALynnPowers wrote:I don't understand how that would make you shallow? I'm the one who chose it in the first place. Does that make me shallow? I can't swim in deep water. Does THAT make me shallow?

Just that, in your review, you mentioned that it's mostly action, not much detail, emotions, internal conflict, character development, or "literary fluff." Like a Tom Cruise Mission Impossible movie - all style, no substance. And bad acting to boot. Oh, well, as far as Tom Cruise goes anyway. I don't know about the book. Wait, books don't really have actors, do they? Unless there is a character who is an actor. Then there would be an actor.

Great review I'll have to read this one

PashaRu wrote:

ALynnPowers wrote:I don't understand how that would make you shallow? I'm the one who chose it in the first place. Does that make me shallow? I can't swim in deep water. Does THAT make me shallow?

Just that, in your review, you mentioned that it's mostly action, not much detail, emotions, internal conflict, character development, or "literary fluff." Like a Tom Cruise Mission Impossible movie - all style, no substance. And bad acting to boot. Oh, well, as far as Tom Cruise goes anyway. I don't know about the book. Wait, books don't really have actors, do they? Unless there is a character who is an actor. Then there would be an actor.

I don't think there is an actor in this story. There is a shoe repairman. Does that count?

ALynnPowers wrote:I don't think there is an actor in this story. There is a shoe repairman. Does that count?

If he can sometimes fool people into thinking he's a refrigerator repairman, then it counts.

I guess we don't have a winner, then.

Great point you made about being able to see into the internal thoughts to understand the main character's growth.

I grabbed my copy! Nice review!