Rating: 
Summary: Violent!
Review: I had read favorable comments about William Kennedy's Albany cycle of novels, so I decided to read this one. As the first book in the series, it seemed to be the logical place to start. Having finished "Legs," all I can say is that it will be a very long time before I read another novel by William Kennedy. Perhaps the books get better as the cycle goes on. I can't say. This one certainly did not whet my appetite to find out. The novel follows the career of a psychotic gangster named Jack "Legs" Diamond. This thug fascinates the novel's narrator, Jack's lawyer. All the other characters in the book are equally intrigued by Jack and so, we are told, is the entire American public. ("[B]ut heroes and poets followed Jack's tribulations with curiosity, ambivalent benevolence, and a sense of mystery at the meaning of their own response," writes Kennedy.) There was no mystery in my response to this character. Sociopaths just don't fascinate me. Sorry. I don't understand the attraction that so many writers and filmmakers seem to feel for comic-book gangsters. I suppose we are to take these works seriously because they claim to portray evil in society. They purport to develop themes of moral ambiguity and pose ethical dilemmas. To search out the wellsprings and permutations of evil in the world is certainly a valid literary goal. With all the evils that flared up throughout the last century - fascism, communism, environmental degradation, and racial and ethnic bigotry, there has certainly been a lot to write about. If writers want to plumb these deep themes, that's great. But why resort to these cartoonish sketches of American gangsters to develop the themes? The writing style in this book reminded me of the "Guy Noir" sketches from the Prairie Home Companion radio show. It's hard to say which one achieves a higher level of realism. At least Garrison Keillor is funny when he does his sketches. You can't say that much for the cliche-ridden drivel that fills page after page of this miserable novel.
Rating:
Summary: Not My Hero
Review: I had read favorable comments about William Kennedy's Albany cycle of novels, so I decided to read this one. As the first book in the series, it seemed to be the logical place to start. Having finished "Legs," all I can say is that it will be a very long time before I read another novel by William Kennedy. Perhaps the books get better as the cycle goes on. I can't say. This one certainly did not whet my appetite to find out. The novel follows the career of a psychotic gangster named Jack "Legs" Diamond. This thug fascinates the novel's narrator, Jack's lawyer. All the other characters in the book are equally intrigued by Jack and so, we are told, is the entire American public. ("[B]ut heroes and poets followed Jack's tribulations with curiosity, ambivalent benevolence, and a sense of mystery at the meaning of their own response," writes Kennedy.) There was no mystery in my response to this character. Sociopaths just don't fascinate me. Sorry. I don't understand the attraction that so many writers and filmmakers seem to feel for comic-book gangsters. I suppose we are to take these works seriously because they claim to portray evil in society. They purport to develop themes of moral ambiguity and pose ethical dilemmas. To search out the wellsprings and permutations of evil in the world is certainly a valid literary goal. With all the evils that flared up throughout the last century - fascism, communism, environmental degradation, and racial and ethnic bigotry, there has certainly been a lot to write about. If writers want to plumb these deep themes, that's great. But why resort to these cartoonish sketches of American gangsters to develop the themes? The writing style in this book reminded me of the "Guy Noir" sketches from the Prairie Home Companion radio show. It's hard to say which one achieves a higher level of realism. At least Garrison Keillor is funny when he does his sketches. You can't say that much for the cliche-ridden drivel that fills page after page of this miserable novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Just a gangster novel - don't judge Kennedy by this one
Review: If you're tempted to pick up this book because of Kennedy's reputation as a novelist of politics generally, and of machine politics Albany style specifically, avoid this one. This one has nothing to do with what he's known for - it's just a crime novel about the final months of a notorious bootlegger. If you have no interest in the nasty and short lives of gangsters, you're not missing anything by skipping this one.
Rating:
Summary: Violent!
Review: In the first 55 pages, multiple people and animals are brutally and graphically killed. I had no interest in reading further.
Rating: 
Summary: An amusing glimpse into the gangser-lifestyle.
Review: Legs is the first part in William Kennedy's Albany Cycle, other novels in the trilogy are Billy Phelan's Greatest Game and Ironweed. The plot:
He's crude, blunt, violent, and a severe sociopath, but when you are talking about one of America's most infamous gangsters, those aren't necessarily bad characteristics. Jack "Legs" Diamond is a quick-witted, prohibition-era mobster who makes himself a household name by being thrust into the public eye in the 1920's and 30's. Marcus Gorman, his attorney and confidant, narrates "Legs'" escapades finally culminating with Diamond's murder. Gorman the reliable narrator never seems to try to spin the truth, or miss one gory detail. My take:
Kennedy writes in an easy to understand, flowing style which makes this book difficult to put down. He is very descriptive with his characters, which enables you to really explore their various psyches. Although, much of the mob life style in the book, which we have seen in countless movies and novels, may seem cliché, overall Legs is simply a very entertaining book that I would recommend for anyone looking for a causal read.
Rating:
Summary: Leader of The Pack
Review: Money, crime, sex, and murder are the key elements to becoming a big time gang leader and Jack "Diamond" Legs has all of these qualities. Read through this epic novel of the final years of a big time 1920's prohibition gangster and how he both put fear and joy into the people's lives around him.
I felt this book was an easy one to read, but was still extremely enjoyable with its elements of crime and seduction. The story is told through the eyes of his lawyer, Marcus, which is great because of the unbiased perception he has towards other people. He will take you into the life of a big time gangster and how he narrowly escapes death time and time. Marcus' view towards others allows the reader to look deeper into the personalities of characters around Jack and how their personalities and views towards Jack change over time. The reader will read about all of Jack's horrible deeds and schemes to make money and destroy competition, but will also see how people interpret those deeds and Jack. Jack's faithful wife (Alice) and his showgirl mistress (Kicki) tell us about their lives and how it has changed because of Jack. This book will take you deep into the mind of its characters so you can see what they are thinking and then pull you back out again and do this over and over again. Legs is greatly written to show you how crime affects everyone.
This book is a great thriller to read in some free time. It's portrayal of the big time prohibition gangster is excellent and it will leave you in awe that some people lived their lives in such a manner during the Prohibition. This was a great summer reading book for me to read and I highly recommend picking it up and giving Jack a chance to take you inside the "family" of a gang leader and show you how things are supposed to be done.
Rating: 
Summary: This is a remarkable book.
Review: My brother mentioned that he liked this book and I started reading his copy to kill time, not intending to finish it. I found myself simultaneously repelled by the violence and seduced by William Kennedy's wonderful knack for storytelling and beautifully simple style. Needless to say, I kept reading. Kennedy's characterizations are as fascinating as his story. Legs Diamond is a murderous hedonist whose infectious personality makes his amorality palatable, if not forgivable. The narrator is appropriately colorless in contrast, making him the ideal non-intrusive storyteller. In other words, Legs is like sour candy--it makes you wince, but it's addictive!
Rating:
Summary: Better than Puzo
Review: The story is fairly predictable, and the characters appear, on the surface, likewise. However, Kennedy's ability to relate the reflective moments of each charcater is fantastic. Contrition comes tough to Jack Diamond, and in the end all he is left with is his own legend to uphold and portray. To imagine Jack Diamond, picture that one friend who was only able to minipulate you after all others, allowing you to bear witness to all his ministrations of others, and leaving you to believe him all the more when your turn arrives.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutley on target
Review: This was the first book of Kennedy's that I'd read and am thrilled at the thought of having the rest of his books to look forward to. First of all, it's just the sheer quality of writing. Kennedy dances into, out of and all around the mind of Jack Legs Diamond, the prohibition era gangster. He'll take you close to him, then appal you with his ruthlessness. Kennedy is essentially trying to deal with a knot of myth and cliche. Legs' story has been played over again and again in literature and film. He really was the good-time gangster with the faithful wife and show girl mistress, the quick one-liners and aggressive ambition. This may have appealed to a writer, but how then to humanize him? Kennedy succeeds mainly because of the voice(s) through which he approaches the story. Marcus, Legs' lawyer, is the perfect guide - people tell lawyers their stories and here, he has passed them on. But the narrative is never that simple, flipping from waiter's anecdotes to mistress's yearnings, and all without losing or confusing a reader. Kennedy presents an incredible portrait. It simply doesn't matter whether or not he has figured out who Jack Diamond really was, for he has imagined an incredible three dimensional replacement of his own.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutley on target
Review: This was the first book of Kennedy's that I'd read and am thrilled at the thought of having the rest of his books to look forward to. First of all, it's just the sheer quality of writing. Kennedy dances into, out of and all around the mind of Jack Legs Diamond, the prohibition era gangster. He'll take you close to him, then appal you with his ruthlessness. Kennedy is essentially trying to deal with a knot of myth and cliche. Legs' story has been played over again and again in literature and film. He really was the good-time gangster with the faithful wife and show girl mistress, the quick one-liners and aggressive ambition. This may have appealed to a writer, but how then to humanize him? Kennedy succeeds mainly because of the voice(s) through which he approaches the story. Marcus, Legs' lawyer, is the perfect guide - people tell lawyers their stories and here, he has passed them on. But the narrative is never that simple, flipping from waiter's anecdotes to mistress's yearnings, and all without losing or confusing a reader. Kennedy presents an incredible portrait. It simply doesn't matter whether or not he has figured out who Jack Diamond really was, for he has imagined an incredible three dimensional replacement of his own.
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