I discovered Don Winslow last year with Savages, one of the best novels I read in 2014.I grabbed this audiobook for a road trip last week hoping for a story of similar depth and nuance. Unfortunately, A Long Walk Up the Water Slide was a big disappointment. It lacks the authentic atmosphere, in-the-know dialog, and shocking violence that made Savages so much fun.This was written 20 years ago and was clearly inspired (ripped off) from the Jim Bakker/ Jessica Hahn scandal. It feels like cross between an Elmore Leonard and Carl Hiaasen novel, except without any interesting characters (with one exception). It can’t decide most of the time if it wants to be funny or exciting, and it ends up being neither—too many half-baked mobsters, fumbling hit men, and stereotypical women running through the motions of tired old plot twists. In fact, the plot is driven almost solely by far-fetched coincidences and characters making boneheaded illogical decisions.I gave the book 2 stars because (1) I did like one of the minor characters, Walter Withers; his scenes were consistently both funny and also surprising, and (2) the audio narration by Joe Barrett was very enjoyable. Withers also appears in the Winslow's Isle of Joy, which might be worth tracking down.
Do You like book A Long Walk Up The Water Slide (1998)?
