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25th out of 25 books
—
15 voters
The Take
by
Martina Cole
Freddie Jackson pensa que é o dono do submundo, depois de sair da prisão. Cumpriu a sua pena, fez os contactos certos e prepara-se para usá-los. A sua mulher, Jackie, só queria o seu marido em casa, mas já estava esquecida das zaragatas, da violência e das outras mulheres que Freddie não consegue largar. Azeda, ressentida e cada vez mais instável, Jackie vê a sua vida afun...more
Paperback, 661 pages
Published
(first published January 1st 2006)
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Maybe a bit generous giving this 2 stars - it's getting the second star only because, like a terrible train wreck, you want to walk away, but you can't!
The whole basis of this book was, for me, awful. The characters were horrible in the extreme, the action violent and shocking, the storyline miserable and predictable, and the actual writing was poor. Cole seems to think that the readers of her book are stupid, as she explains things in the greatest detail, over and over again. We get it!! We re...more
The whole basis of this book was, for me, awful. The characters were horrible in the extreme, the action violent and shocking, the storyline miserable and predictable, and the actual writing was poor. Cole seems to think that the readers of her book are stupid, as she explains things in the greatest detail, over and over again. We get it!! We re...more
This was an exhausting book, but I loved it nonetheless. I originally saw the BBC miniseries but this book builds on so much that I'd have to say the miniseries only has about 25% of the novel along with a COMPLETELY different ending. They're both worth checking out if only because the meaning and tone changes so drastically. The character of Freddie Jackson is probably the worst person in history, yet there's always his attempts to rationalize everything. In fact all the characters rationalize...more
A good read about sibling rivalry set in the criminal underclass of East London. Freddie Jackson leaves prison having made contact with a major criminal Ozzy who runs his empire from within the gaol. Acting as Ozzy's lieutenant Freddie chooses his young cousin Jimmy to act as a go-between because Jimmy has no criminal record. But over time Jimmy gains Ozzy's respect and trust.
The two gangsters are married to sisters. Freddie's wife is dependant upon drink and drugs and very jealous of her siste...more
The two gangsters are married to sisters. Freddie's wife is dependant upon drink and drugs and very jealous of her siste...more
The majority of the characters in this book are vile and the writing is just this side of terrible, but this is one hell of a compelling read. I don't like Cole's style of writing - a swirling mass of repetition - but it certainly is evocative of a particularly gritty urban British milieu. The way I got around the writing was by letting it all play in my head like a really good drama - it was pretty awesome (no, I haven't seen the actual telly adaptation).
I was instantly scavenging for anything with actor Tom Hardy in it after seeing his extraordinary performance in "Bronson" and his scene-stealing part in Christopher Nolan's "Inception". So soon after finding out about the four-part mini-series called "The Take" starring him, I immediately sought out to watch it. I loved every episode, and was blown away by Hardy's performance in it. I couldn't help but read the novel of the same name. It pretty much had the same effect on me as the mini-series,...more
I read this as part of World Book Night. I found it quite hard going and it took a long time before the characters captured my interest. I found the constant crude language a distraction and it took a while to ignore it and flow with the story . I am pleased that World Book Night made me try something new, but am not sure I will be rushing out to get the next Martina Cole book.
Another of my favourite Martina Coles ok I may seem weird for saying it but I love the ones that shock you, the ones that deal with issues you don't want to face up to in the real world. The things we brush aside and pretend like they don't happen. The take has all of this and more if it was a film it would have the tag line 'some viewers may find some scenes upsetting'
I am a huge fan of the tv adaptation of the take so I was really excited to read the book. It was just what I expected, yes it's not a work of lyrical art, it's gritty and it's written as in you are actually in London not just looking from the outside.
I did skip some bits out of repetition and the swearing shocked even me (and my family are bad!) but overall I really enjoyed it.
I did skip some bits out of repetition and the swearing shocked even me (and my family are bad!) but overall I really enjoyed it.
I had a love hate relationship with this book, sometimes I could not put it down and and then I would find myself scan reading passages. This occured when the author to me seemed to repeat herself at length on describing characters and relationships and this caused me to think "I know all that, just get on with it.' Otherwise not a bad read.
Not for the faint hearted! While I found the book to be a page turner I also had to put it down at times as it could get gruesome and towards the end is particularly harrowing. However Martina Cole/crime fans will love this book.
Jun 14, 2011
Rebecca eley
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
anyone who likes violent crime
Recommended to Rebecca by:
no one
Shelves:
violent-crime
Clearly not one for book snobs who like deep and meaningful. Personally I like a bit of violent crime. Somehow you develop a fond affection for characters you would steer clear of in life. Way better than the tv series.
(This was given to me to read by a friend of mine.)
Initially my thoughts were along the lines of, 'what on Earth am I reading!?' I thought it was crude and unnecessary but as I got into the story and plot, the language and attitudes of the characters seemed normal and I got used to it. There are lots of twists and turns.
I am not sure whether I would read another by Cole unless I had plenty of spare time and a relaxing atmosphere.
Initially my thoughts were along the lines of, 'what on Earth am I reading!?' I thought it was crude and unnecessary but as I got into the story and plot, the language and attitudes of the characters seemed normal and I got used to it. There are lots of twists and turns.
I am not sure whether I would read another by Cole unless I had plenty of spare time and a relaxing atmosphere.
This was the first of Martina Coles books I read and was hooked from the start. The characters actions can sometimes be a little tough to stomach but for me it makes it all the more compelling.
Very gripping storyline as per usual from Martina. Freddie Jackson is such a scumbag, you kind of want to kill him yourself despite him being entirely fictional and a fragment of imagination.
Gripping, addictive. I could not put this book down. The plotline is pretty grim but I like Martina Cole for that - she does not mince her words and she tells it as it is
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/10346236
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/10346236
Grittiest and most dangerous book I've ever read. Excellent visuals, and some real 3-dimensional characters - I love some of them and detest others!
perfect book to read when you are between "serious reads", not much substance, not great style nut entertaining, and works very well as a tv show
I have to admit I have tempered my review as to not be too critical of this book. It’s not that the story is bad or the characters unbelievable but it is repetitive...How many times does the reader have to hear how perfect Maggie is...Or what a psycho Freddie is... I also have a n issue with the Cockney language that is used...having been born and raised in the East End I agree some of the terms used are correct, but they are pushed in the text for effect that neither adds to the atmosphere or p...more
It's been a long time since I've taken out 2 days and read a book cover to cover. Good story line, although not an easy read at times.
Awful, just awful. Written in the vernacular of a fifteen year old illiterate. The first book i've tried of hers and the last.
like all martina cole books this was a defo page turner i just had to keep reading sometimes really gritty and grusome but fab!
The first Cole I ever read and the book which added Cole to my 'favourite authors' list. Gritty crime at its best!
Over all did enjoy this book. Have another Martina Cole book to read lined up so will see if she is any different.
I have never been disappointed with Martina Cole - fantastic books and always look forward to her next books
It was a well set out book. I was really into it. Then I watched the drama on telling. That was shit.
The thing about Martina Cole is that she is really an addiction rather than anything else. She keeps the reader reading even through the "Less than happy bits". The take is probably her best novel and I can see why but in fair warning it contains a good few shocking scenes.
Not one her best books, i found it quite boring in most parts and very nearly gave up on it.
if you love Martina.....you will love the drama that unfolds with Freddy and his 'family'!
what a b*st*rd!
what a b*st*rd!
brilliant book, not what i would normally read but enjoyed it anyway. a lot of swearing though
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Love Martina Cole | 4 | 7 | Apr 20, 2013 09:13am |
Martina Cole was born and brought up in Essex. She is the bestselling author of fourteen novels set in London's gangland, and her most recent three paperbacks have gone straight to No. 1 in the Sunday Times on first publication. Total sales of Martina's novels stand at over eight million copies.
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