Leaving Las Vegas

Rating:
Summary: A Dark Masterpiece
Review: "Leaving Las Vegas" is a dark tale that is not meant for the timid reader. It is real, it is gritty, it is graphic, it is depressing, and it is beautiful all at the same time. This book seriously deserved more credit than it recieved in its year of release, for it is a beautifully written account of unconditional love and loss in Sin City. Compulsively readable, and shatteringly honest, this is a book that will stay with you because of its frank and gorgeous language.

Rating:
Summary: "ADIÓS A LAS VEGAS"- THE SPANISH TRANSLATION OF THIS BOOK
Review: En Las Vegas, febril simulacro de la esperanza encarnada en las mesas de juego del azar mercantilizado, un hombre y una mujer se encuentran y viven la historia de amor más generosa e imposible que pueda imaginarse.
Si la pasión, porque efímera, borra toda huella de futuro y convierte a los amantes en fugaces inmortales, Sera y Ben saben, como pocos enamorados, que el tiempo ha apostado a banca y el destino se ha acelerado. Él, impasible y apacible, ha llegado a Las Vegas porque quiere morir en ginebra y ésta es la única ciudad de Estados Unidos donde los bares no duermen. Ella, una prostituta callejera independiente, ha logrado escapar de su chulo pero no de los peligros de la profesión. Se aceptan tal como son, como se aceptan las cartas en una partida de póker, aunque la baraja esté marcada. Y desde sus situaciones extremas, perciben lo cotidiano en toda su metafísica nitidez.
El fundamento de la libertad infividual, el derecho de disponer del propio cuerpo para la vida o la muerte, rara vez se ha expuesto tan vbien como en esta novela autobiográfica de John O'Brien, donde una ramera y un alcohólico terminal adquieren las dimensiones que creíamos reservadas para Abelardo y Eloísa (Muchnik Editores SA).

Rating:
Summary: AWESOME! TOTALLY AWESOME!
Review: I feel about the book the way I did about the movie; it would have been much better without the prostitute character. Maybe it's because I'm a guy, and I can sympathize with the protagonist's (Ben's) plight. This book was certainly an education in the life of an alcoholic. From the different sets of bars that open at different times, to the things you spend your day doing when you're unemployed (game shows, etc) this book introduced me in detail that a world I hopefully won't know, at least until I retire! It was a bit unnerving for me since the book make it easy to believe anyone could fall of the edge of modern life and end up as an alcoholic. Easily one of the best modern novels I've ever read. I keep a copy on my nightstand and regularly reread my favorite parts. Probably one of the reasons I like it so much is I'm fascinated with the concept of self-destruction, which the book explores in detail.

Rating:
Summary: A well-written, harsh look at life.
Review: I heard once that John O'Brien's father called this novel a suicide note from his son. It's hard to seperate the two character's paths of destruction from the author's own suicide. A stunning first book, though. O'Brien had a wonderful command of the language. His talent makes his own fate that much harder to take. This book lingers with you long after the last page.

Rating:
Summary: The Future & Past of Brilliance
Review: I need to collaborate on a biography of this O'Brien fellow...any takers?

Rating:
Summary: Best Book to Movie
Review: I read this book after the movie and I have to say it augments it and intensifies it. I have never seen a movie that so closely matches the tone of the book. There are small differences (slightly different chronology- Sera's rape happens at the begining not the end, language toned down a tiny bit)but overall I am amazed that so much of the novel is in the film. If you love the movie, your love will deepen after this read.

Rating:
Summary: The Best Account of "End-Stage" Alcoholism Ever Written
Review: I read this book years ago, and have never forgotten it. As a non-alcoholic myself, it was an incredible education in how someone stays drunk, from the time he wakes up until the moment he falls asleep dead drunk. O'Brien described, in incredible detail, things I had no idea about, such as how an alcoholic carefully proceeds from bar to bar, and how he hides and "minimizes" what he is drinking to non-drinkers. The only criticism I have about the book is the character of the prostitute. She wasn't as well-drawn, and there was no real explanation or development of the attraction between them. There are probably many lonely hookers and alcoholics in Las Vegas; so what drew these two so close together? But even so, I am sure I will never find a better book revealing the life of a man whose every waking moment revolved around a bottle of booze. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: alcohol
Review: I think the film is better than the book. neither seem to me to be a love story. the film focuses more on Ben, perhaps because of the stunning performance by Cage. For me, the strength of the film is showing how alcohol drags people with it: Ben, the alcoholic (the scenes when he moves out of his flat - added in the film) are gut-wrenching) and we see that Sera needs him because he gives her someone to look after (even if that isnt what he wants). So much has been written about relationships where one partner tries to stop the alcoholic drinking. Sera doesnt because that is part of the bargain. interestingly, the film puts the rape scene just after Cage has moved out- showing the downward spiral she is lead into. It shows how her attempts to have a "nice" time are frustrated by the drink (the casino, the outing to the desert) beacuse what Ben really wants is to drink himself to death.
This is really a review of the film. It is stunning, and I am amazed that it is currently out of stock in the main distrubution outlest (though not amazon)
I have given the book 4 because it keeps a separate structure for both characters while the film links them almost from ther start. I would give the film a 5+

Rating:
Summary: A drunk, a pimp, and a tart with a hart
Review: I'm not really going to review the plot since the film version received the noteriety it did. Three characters are connected with each other in the underbelly of society. Ben, an alcoholic with a purpose, Sera, a jaded prostitute looking for anything to grab onto, and Al, her manic, sinking pimp come to head in Las Vegas. The movie chose to concentrate more on the relationship of Ben and Sera, wile the book took quite awhile (as terse as it was) to get Ben there. We get shadowy glimpses into what he was, but its never quite clear. The relationship of Sera to Ben is definitely as believable as her relationship to Al. Its the abuse and the quality of being needed that keeps her going. She's almost a defiant hooker, waiting for the worst to happen and willingly acceptin the abuse Al gives her. And Al...if this book had a week point, it would be Al. But the way to really look at this novel is more like a portrait than a story. This is a moment captured and should be savored, as it is a quick read. The language is poetic and insightful and the overall feel echoes Selby.

Rating:
Summary: A drunk, a pimp, and a tart with a hart
Review: I'm not really going to review the plot since the film version received the noteriety it did. Three characters are connected with each other in the underbelly of society. Ben, an alcoholic with a purpose, Sera, a jaded prostitute looking for anything to grab onto, and Al, her manic, sinking pimp come to head in Las Vegas. The movie chose to concentrate more on the relationship of Ben and Sera, wile the book took quite awhile (as terse as it was) to get Ben there. We get shadowy glimpses into what he was, but its never quite clear. The relationship of Sera to Ben is definitely as believable as her relationship to Al. Its the abuse and the quality of being needed that keeps her going. She's almost a defiant hooker, waiting for the worst to happen and willingly acceptin the abuse Al gives her. And Al...if this book had a week point, it would be Al. But the way to really look at this novel is more like a portrait than a story. This is a moment captured and should be savored, as it is a quick read. The language is poetic and insightful and the overall feel echoes Selby.