"Undeniably powerful, an enormously affecting and intensely human story."
--The Washington Post Book World
"A GUT-WRENCHING PI... read full description
--The Washington Post Book World
"A GUT-WRENCHING PI... read full description
reviews
Oct 23, 2011
Kirsti
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The author, Lorenzo Carcaterra in his book, "Sleepers" tells the story as himself reflecting back to when he was a boy growing up in Hell's Kitchen (a city in New York) in the 1960's, and a place he and his three other friends were forced to go to after pulling a stupid prank that almost kills someone. This place is a juvenille facility that they soon find out will change their lives forever. There they endure unnecessary verbal, physical and sexual abuse from the guards that watch the
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Jun 25, 2009
Rae
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I read this once when I was younger and have not read it since. I remember reading this shortly before the movie came out (which I had only seen about once or twice itself) and the events stayed with me ever since then.
The story was a harrowing one exploring the effects of how life can change in an incident with a minor mistake of childhood play. After a childhood prank that ends in the death of a local vendor, the four friends of the book are sentenced to a brutal juvenile prison wher More...
The story was a harrowing one exploring the effects of how life can change in an incident with a minor mistake of childhood play. After a childhood prank that ends in the death of a local vendor, the four friends of the book are sentenced to a brutal juvenile prison wher More...
Nov 24, 2011
Shannon
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I found ‘Sleepers’ to be an amazingly powerful and emotional read. Very few books capture what friendship mean and I think Lorenzo Carcaterra wrote of his experiences fabulously. Albeit there were a few parts very disturbing to get through, I feel it added to the impact which moved the story along.
I found myself close to tears as I finished the epilogue and I really wanted to know more about the lives of these boys who pulled each other through life. I cheered for them and mourned More...
I found myself close to tears as I finished the epilogue and I really wanted to know more about the lives of these boys who pulled each other through life. I cheered for them and mourned More...
Dec 21, 2011
Allie
rated it: 
Sleepers is a gripping story, part court-room drama, part-coming of age tale that may or may not be based on a true story.
It follows four boys (one of them supposedly the author himself) growing up in Hell's Kitchen who one summer do something that will change their lives forever. Be forewarned - this book is not for the faint of heart, as there are graphic depictions of <spoiler> rape and other abuse of underage boys at the hands of grown men. </spoiler>
I adored readin More...
It follows four boys (one of them supposedly the author himself) growing up in Hell's Kitchen who one summer do something that will change their lives forever. Be forewarned - this book is not for the faint of heart, as there are graphic depictions of <spoiler> rape and other abuse of underage boys at the hands of grown men. </spoiler>
I adored readin More...
Jul 28, 2011
This was a book that shows the true natue of cruelity in prison. I would like to think that it has changed since this book, if it has i am not sure. This book grasps the reality of life as a teenager and the consquences of wrong choices that are made in life. The descriptive nature of his writings shows that he is a good author however the content is not for the week at heart and needs to be questioned at what age someone should read this book. If you have seen the movie first i would suggest th
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Apr 11, 2009
Essence
rated it:
I absolutely fell into the pages of this book. I enjoyed every vivid characters and smiled at the fact that they were at one point real people. The story definitely provides a strong sense of reality that only one who has been abused can relate to. The author was able to convey such images to the reader that could bring one to tears.
The thing I enjoyed the most in this book was the love shared between friends. The main characters knew that no matter what happened in the world or how life c More...
The thing I enjoyed the most in this book was the love shared between friends. The main characters knew that no matter what happened in the world or how life c More...
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Jun 03, 2011
Meagan
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What can I say about this book? First I guess I should start off by saying that if you have never read it or watched the movie then you should do one or the other (or both if you’re up to it).
I watched the film first and just had to read the book, because I’m obviously a masochist.
I loved and hated this book at the same time.
I loved it in that I loved how it was written. I loved the people. I loved reading about his childhood and his thoughts about things (even if he did More...
I watched the film first and just had to read the book, because I’m obviously a masochist.
I loved and hated this book at the same time.
I loved it in that I loved how it was written. I loved the people. I loved reading about his childhood and his thoughts about things (even if he did More...
Nov 01, 2010
Nick
rated it:
It was the summer of '97 and I got grounded for sneaking out of my bedroom window (again) to meet up with friends to drink warm, pilfered beers and smoke mexican ditch rat-weed (probably).
So while I'm grounded I read this book and I can't put it own. Because I read it so quickly, I still have a week to kill with nothing to do. So i read it again. I had friends come over to try and get me to sneak out again but i blow em off and say 'nah, im good actually, got this book im reading'. That's More...
So while I'm grounded I read this book and I can't put it own. Because I read it so quickly, I still have a week to kill with nothing to do. So i read it again. I had friends come over to try and get me to sneak out again but i blow em off and say 'nah, im good actually, got this book im reading'. That's More...
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Mar 29, 2011
The book kept my interest but I still wish that the author would have given more attention to the trial. Most of the book was about building the characters and their friendship, which I already got in the first 1/4 of the book. The time spent at the boys home and the trial was not given nearly as much attention.
Once the boys were in the hospital, one of the abuse situations seemed to be described in less than one paragraph. I thought I was going to be disappointed, not because I wan More...
Once the boys were in the hospital, one of the abuse situations seemed to be described in less than one paragraph. I thought I was going to be disappointed, not because I wan More...
Nov 09, 2008
Jessica
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
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Aug 28, 2008
I read this book back in HS. It is definitely not for the weak stomach or faint of heart. I first heard about the movie, which was released in 1996. When I discovered that this movie was based on a true story and a book that was written I decided to read it. It is quite graphic and gets into detail of what happens to these 4 young friends. They were beaten and sexually abused. It is sad to think that things like this can happen to young children. It is a good book and it is well written. From wh
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Jan 24, 2008
Robert
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(N.B.: When I wrote this review, I was unaware of the controversy surrounding the book's authenticity. It has since been drawn to my attention. Please take all comments as to the book's veracity with a grain of salt...)
Lorenzo Carcaterra, Sleepers (Ballantine, 1995)
It's not often that a tell-all bio from someone not inside the Hollywood Beltway spends months on the New York Times bestseller list and gets made into a movie with the kind of high-powered cast that fueled the fil More...
Lorenzo Carcaterra, Sleepers (Ballantine, 1995)
It's not often that a tell-all bio from someone not inside the Hollywood Beltway spends months on the New York Times bestseller list and gets made into a movie with the kind of high-powered cast that fueled the fil More...
Oct 09, 2007
Emily
rated it:
i had no expectations of this book - i knew there was a movie i had never seen that was released sometime in the late 90's based on the novel and i purchased this little treasure for a mere $1 at a used bookstore. i figured it would be a guilty pleasure read - kind of like the john saul books i used to read when i was 19. obviously i was born and raised in a cardboard box because i had no idea it was a memior and i had no idea it was a book made into a movie that robert de niro, dustin hoffman
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Nov 19, 2011
Lindsay
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"Sleepers" is one of those books that is impossible to put down, even though you may want to sometimes. The experiences of the boys is agonizing to read about, and I think it's even harder to read than to see in movie-form. Despite the horrors that are involved in this book, I loved it. I was so connected to the characters, and the story; I just had to know what was going to happen next.
Even though I read this book many years ago, it has stayed with me and remains one of the More...
Even though I read this book many years ago, it has stayed with me and remains one of the More...
Apr 12, 2011
Danielle
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I have read this book once a year for the last 14 years. I love it. I was bored one night and a friend handed me the book and said that he had gotten it as a gift but wasn't a "reader". I hopped into the bathtub and didn't come out for about 8 hours. i loved this book and I couldn't put it down. I saw the movie after I read it but it wasn't very good, but they never are. I love Lorenzo Carcaterra, he just has this way of sucking you into the story. This book and The Last Don are my fav
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Jun 08, 2011
Desiree
rated it: 
It was pretty much exactly like the movie. I still don't know if I believe it all. It seems pretty far fetched. I wondered if he took notes during the trial, because he had a lot of descriptions in those scenes. If he was taking notes, he wouldn't be able to put his arm around Carol. I think he might be making some of this up. What's the point of changing everyone else's name if he was going to keep his? Everyone who knew him would know who he is talking about. I liked the movie better.
Dec 09, 2011
Nandakishore
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The book is very well written and graphic in its portrayal of violence and sex, but I had a sneaking suspicion it may be mostly fiction even while I was reading it years ago. A quick search on the net now convinces me that there is a huge controversy regarding the veracity of the story.
If it's a true story, it rates five stars.
If it's fiction paraded as truth, it rates only one star.
Since there is no way of establishing the truth, I plumb for three stars.
If it's a true story, it rates five stars.
If it's fiction paraded as truth, it rates only one star.
Since there is no way of establishing the truth, I plumb for three stars.
Apr 23, 2009
Quinn
rated it:
Shocking, a book that will change the way you think forever. The writing is superb, splendid and yet sad. A story about loyalty, redemption and retribution. The story is about four boys who are growing up in New York’s Hells Kitchen. A terrible prank goes awry and the boys are sent to a juvenile prison in upstate New York. The things that happen to them are unimaginable and unthinkable, but not forgotten. The best book I have read this year.
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Sep 29, 2009
Roxy
rated it:
This is one of my all time fav books and I have only read it once. I dont know if I will ever re-read it, its such a sad story but sooo good.
Much later I found out that the book was made in to a movie with Brad Pitt blah blah....I watched it and though gosh they kept the movie kinda light on the details and the book was sooo much better and soo much darker.
It reads like a true story (atleast for me) and thats what makes it sad. LOVE IT!
Much later I found out that the book was made in to a movie with Brad Pitt blah blah....I watched it and though gosh they kept the movie kinda light on the details and the book was sooo much better and soo much darker.
It reads like a true story (atleast for me) and thats what makes it sad. LOVE IT!
Jun 03, 2009
Juliette
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Normally I would not read a book like this, the material is depressing as I get so upset reading about torture, and when it's kids it's just heartbreaking. The reading club I'm in picked this book and I'm very glad they did.
Though the beginning was difficult to read with the author jumping around in where he was leading you, the book just flew once the four boys from Hell's Kitchen was sent to Wilkinson Home for Boys. There they were broken, tortured and raped by their guards. The third More...
Though the beginning was difficult to read with the author jumping around in where he was leading you, the book just flew once the four boys from Hell's Kitchen was sent to Wilkinson Home for Boys. There they were broken, tortured and raped by their guards. The third More...
Apr 29, 2011
Michael
rated it:
I enjoyed the movie so i figured i would check out the book. Most of the time books are much better then the movie and this book continues that trend.
From the details of life in Hell's Kitchen in that era till the end i could not put the book down. It almost makes you wish you could have grown up in a time where life was simple and people took care of their neighborhoods.
It takes you on a ride from childhood innocence to darkness and ends with just the right amount of j More...
From the details of life in Hell's Kitchen in that era till the end i could not put the book down. It almost makes you wish you could have grown up in a time where life was simple and people took care of their neighborhoods.
It takes you on a ride from childhood innocence to darkness and ends with just the right amount of j More...
Jun 23, 2011
Jamie
rated it:
Great story about 4 boys living in bad families in Hells kitchen. They are poor and abused by their parents. They are your typical boys who get into michief. They wind up getting sent to Wilkersons home for boys. Unfortuntely, they experience great deal of misjustice by our criminal justice system that traaansforms the boys lives forever. I would recomend this book to anyone who enjoys a true crime book unlike no other!
Sep 15, 2011
Alshia
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Lorenzo Carcaterra is a terrific writer to me. Sleepers was fantastic, well-written, and really made me...angry at the grown men who hurt him and took his innocence away. They all need to be whipped. But in the meantime, I'll keep supporting Lorenzo by buying his awesome books.
This book was really, really great, and I like the title, too. That's what initially drew my attention and made me want to read it.
This book was really, really great, and I like the title, too. That's what initially drew my attention and made me want to read it.
Apr 13, 2009
Ashley
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Carcaterra knows how to tell a story. Now, as far as how accurate it is as a memoir remains to be seen. It seemed too perfectly plotted and highly illegal for the trial scene to have actually occured.
I make myself read books like this because I think it's important to hear someone's story who's been through so much. It was painful to read at times, and he did great with character development and making you really feel for the characters.
I make myself read books like this because I think it's important to hear someone's story who's been through so much. It was painful to read at times, and he did great with character development and making you really feel for the characters.
Jul 28, 2011
Mark
rated it:
Really drew me into the city of new york, into the comings and goings of the people of hell's kitchen, and also into the minds of the characters. It's not the kind of book i;d usually enjoy, but i did find the writing somewhat compelling, I did think personally it fizzled out slightly towards the end, with the court case, but it still kept me to the last page, good story about a dark subject, mhm mhm.
Feb 05, 2012
Osama
rated it:
This Book Changed my life and my thinking .
I have been watched the movie "Sleepers" for the 1st time 1998 i was 14 yo and i did not understand any thing but i liked it , lately i get it and i read the book too and that was a good point in my life.i do not care if it was a true story or not because we all know that this happening in every place in the world . i belive him .
I have been watched the movie "Sleepers" for the 1st time 1998 i was 14 yo and i did not understand any thing but i liked it , lately i get it and i read the book too and that was a good point in my life.i do not care if it was a true story or not because we all know that this happening in every place in the world . i belive him .
Nov 17, 2010
Indah "Threez"
rated it:
Empat orang sahabat masuk ke penjara anak-anak, dan keluar dari tempat itu dengan trauma dan dendam yang terkubur dalam ingatan akibat perlakuan keji para penjaganya.
Dua orang menjadi penjahat, satu orang menjadi reporter, dan satu orang lagi menjadi asisten jaksa wilayah.
Setelah belasan tahun berlalu, dua dari empat sahabat itu membunuh salah satu mantan penjaga penjara yang menyiksa mereka, dan dua sahabat yang lain bekerja sama untuk membebaskan mereka sekaligus membongkar More...
Dua orang menjadi penjahat, satu orang menjadi reporter, dan satu orang lagi menjadi asisten jaksa wilayah.
Setelah belasan tahun berlalu, dua dari empat sahabat itu membunuh salah satu mantan penjaga penjara yang menyiksa mereka, dan dua sahabat yang lain bekerja sama untuk membebaskan mereka sekaligus membongkar More...
May 28, 2010
Obinna
rated it:
Lorenzo tells this story the way it makes me go scared.
While reading the book i could not stop thinking why people in this world could be so wicked and heartless.I recommend this book to every juvenile out there so as to recreate mindsets and ways of life. The experiences of the characters as told in the story is not what anyone should ever pray for.
While reading the book i could not stop thinking why people in this world could be so wicked and heartless.I recommend this book to every juvenile out there so as to recreate mindsets and ways of life. The experiences of the characters as told in the story is not what anyone should ever pray for.
Mar 21, 2010
Kate
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It's been ages since I read this, but i remember this being an incredibly frightening true tale of four best friends from New York's Hell's Kitchen who, after a prank goes terribly wrong, end up in a juvenile detention facility where they are horribly abused; the story is of their confinement, abuse and the eventual bringing to justice of their abusers.
Sep 19, 2008
Barbra
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Read this book and you will remember it forever. Couldn't put it down from page one.
Back Cover Blurb:
Lorenzo, Michael, John and Tommy shared everything - the laughter and the bruises of an impoverished childhood on New York's violent West Side. Until one of their pranks misfired and they were sent to a reformatory school.
Twelve months of systematic mental, physical and sexual abuse left the boys transformed for ever.
Eleven years later, one of them had become a jou More...
Back Cover Blurb:
Lorenzo, Michael, John and Tommy shared everything - the laughter and the bruises of an impoverished childhood on New York's violent West Side. Until one of their pranks misfired and they were sent to a reformatory school.
Twelve months of systematic mental, physical and sexual abuse left the boys transformed for ever.
Eleven years later, one of them had become a jou More...
