Afterburn

by Colin Harrison

Charlie Ravich is an international corporate tycoon, a husband and father on the hard side of fifty, and a restless soul in search of immortality. When Christina Welles, a prison parolee, well-schooled in the art of manipulation, walks into his life, Charlie thinks he just might have found what he's looking for. As she tries to outrun her past, and he to understand his future, two obsessions are about to be indulged.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Mystery, Novels, Crime

448 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1997

About the author

Colin Harrison is a crime novelist. He is a vice president and senior editor at Scribner.
He lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn, with his wife, the writer Kathryn Harrison, and their three children (Sarah, Walker and Julia).

He attended: Haverford College, BA 1982; University of Iowa Writers' Workshop. MFA 1986

His short nonfiction has appeared in The New York Times, New York Magazine, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, Vogue, Salon, Worth, and other various publications.

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

Trying to get interested but not a sympathetic character picture. In the end, not that great a read. 2 Stars

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murder! Sex! Torture! International Finance! Wall Street Shenanigans! Lesbian Jail Scenes! Police corruption! A one-armed man! No, it's not the latest Tarantino blockbuster, but this book gave me whiplash as it screeched around a plot and the world (mostly centered in NYC though).

This was my 2nd Harrison novel, and I think I need a break before trying a third as the way this one read would give someone a seizure if they weren't careful. The story as it was centered on a good-girl-gone-wrong and a Vietnam POW turned capitalist master, but the character development was probably the worst part of the novel and why I gave it 3 instead of 4 stars as while the description elements of the book were very imaginative and well written, it was hard to really identify with the characters as they seemed to be kept mostly as sparse as possible. At it's heart, it's a crime novel with an innocent man brought in via a love triangle, but none of that gives the reckless abandon of the story it's just due.

The Tarantino reference wasn't one I just came up with - about 75% of the way through, it dawned on me that this was a Pulp Fiction-like book in a way - fast cuts from one story to another that weave together eventually. Violent folks everywhere, and while some people seem to have good in them, they are definitely mostly all out for themselves. I'd say tread lightly if considering reading this, very lightly...

[Karbowianka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sensacja i thriller. Krew i łzy. I zgliszcza...
https://lolantaczyta.wordpress.com/20...

[Rick Bentley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the 3rd of Harrison's novels that I devoured following the fantastic 'Manhattan Nocturne' and the equally impressive 'Bodies Electric' to which Martin Scorsese holds the film rights. It's a while since I read Afterburn but was enthralled from page one. The excellent characterisation, Harrison's trademark literary style and fluid pacing fuelled my tension and anxiety as I raced through the story to it's high octane climax. It's certainly not a book for the faint hearted but highly rewarding and a cut above your average thriller. One of the things I like about Harrison's novels are his ability to create a true sense of 'being there' and in particular his vivid portrayal of NYC. He's a fearless author, not afraid to put his characters through the wringer of life, their struggles often resulting in unfavourable and shocking outcomes. In summary, this novel has a high velocity plot, wonderfully flawed characters and will keep you guessing til the final pages. Harrison is in a class of his own.

[Cheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a tough one to rate. The story was really well written. My favorite line was about being harnessed to "the imbecile donkey of lust." However, all the female characters were bimbos, fools, victims, strident (and/because possibly lesbian), oblivious, or some combination thereof. The main character was the only one who wasn't just a laughable caraciture of a woman, and she was still a deeply damaged victim and a... doom-bringer? I don't know if there's a word for it, but everyone she got involved with got dead. It seemed to be the price she paid for her intelligence and cunning.

The book still would have probably gotten four stars from me except for the last fifty pages. It totally jumped the shark- the story stopped being even slightly believable. I guess the author wanted to make it more dramatic, but it was just ridiculous. I regretted staying up so late to finish what up til then had been a pretty engrossing story.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not quite sure how this book even landed on my bookshelf but once I picked it up, I was hooked. Throughout the day, I found myself wondering how Christina was going to make it and make it out. I noticed that a few other reviewers made negative comments on the lengthy sex passages and indeed, excruciating violence. While I was stopped in place on both accounts, Harrison certainly made it crystal clear who these characters were in many ways, and the sex and violence were effective means. I loved the ending and will say no more ...

[Skip · Rating 3 out of 5]

I truly enjoy Harrison's gritty writing and his characters: Christina Welles (a released convicted felon, trying to get her life back together), Rick Bocca (her ex-lover, crook, who has become a recluse fisherman), and to a lesser extent, Charlie Ravitch (a fighter pilot, POW, turned technology businessman.) Welles and Bocca's former mob boss is looking for revenge and willing to do anything to get it. Too much slaughter and sex in this novel.

[Jan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this after I had complained about Harrison's vapid women in another novel and this was recommended to me by another reader. It was so violent and gory that I had to skip whole sections, and the excruciating detail of the scams and criminal activity didn't do much for me either. I think I'm well done with this author. Like so many men, he seems to think most women exist for men and/or sex and security. Ho. Hum.

[David Barrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colin Harrison has two great virtues: a fascination for the world of modern business and a great sense of place as regards Manhattan. I find his novels systematically depressing (bad things happen to people who didn't deserve them) but compelling.

[Reuven · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far, one of the best books I ever read. a world of fear,pain,big businesses,hard to describe. demands some nerves and not for anyone.Charlie Ravitz's quest to a woman who would carry his child leads to a world of darkness he can't imagine.6 stars.

[Melvyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best thrillers I’ve ever read. One or two of the characters were slightly too cliche. But the story building was superb, the pace incredible, and the drama gritty and palpable. I rarely give five stars.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had so much potential so I was a little disappointed by the ending, but overall quite interesting. Basically the dichotomy between the life that went right and the one that went wrong.

[Jim Coughenour · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great writing, great set-up, disappointing dénouement. Sounds a bit like my life.

[Gabe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-written thriller, but I'm docking it a star on account of the mob torture scene that almost made me lose my lunch.

[Jeremy Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I ever read by Colin Harrison. Afterburn came recommended by an editor who knows my tastes. I was not disappointed. This book is FANTASTIC.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Strangely disappointing. Excesses of sex & torture does not a good book make.

[Frank Consalvo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this author. He never has a conventional story always something different.

[Glenn Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colin Harrison's Afterburn is a searing, relentless thriller that grips you from the first page and doesn’t let go, a masterfully written novel that had me tearing through its pages, riveted, long past midnight.

One of the author's most compelling techniques for building suspense and momentum is the way he has the chapters switch back and forth between the story's three main characters: a high-stakes CEO at the helm of a multinational tech company, a young woman recently released from a correctional facility, and her boyfriend, who has been keeping a low profile for the past several years, living quietly in a shack, fishing and growing vegetables on the far tip of Long Island.

Since Afterburn is a multilayered spinechiller, I'll avoid spoilers and instead focus on the trio of key players, along with a quartet of the novel’s highlights.

CHARLIE RAVICH
The novel opens in 1972, as seasoned Air Force Captain Charles Ravich prepares to fly what will prove his last mission in his F-4 fighter jet. Charlie’s plane is shot down, and he spends time as a prisoner of war under the North Vietnamese before being rescued by a Marine patrol. The story then shifts to September 1999, and from this point forward, the entire novel unfolds over the course of three weeks in that month and year. Now fifty-eight, Charlie has much to contend with in his life: he bears scars and endures pain from multiple operations to repair his back, hips, and leg; his beautiful, athletic son, Ben, died of leukemia some years back; his wife’s mind is slipping, and she desperately wants Charlie to retire and leave the city with her; and his daughter, Julia, has learned she’ll never be able to have children. After receiving this last piece of dismal news, Charlie concocts a plan to donate to a sperm bank, establish a special account, and hire a healthy young woman to give birth to and raise his biological offspring. Why not? Charlie has more than enough money; as a savvy businessman, he recently made an instant eight million dollars on some spicy insider information.

We follow Charlie through his struggles, suffering, and tribulations right up until an unexpected, chance meeting—with Christina. Charlie has sex with Christina, one of the most blissful experiences of his life. He listens to Christina’s tale of the events that led her to prison. Charlie knows this young woman is nothing but trouble, yet there’s something about Christina that pulls him toward her like a powerful magnet.

CHRISTINA WELLES
A slender woman of twenty-seven with dark hair and brown eyes, Christina has a quality you won’t forget: a fierce watchfulness and unusual intelligence. She’s something of a mathematical whiz. Years before her time in prison, a professor of religion at Columbia ends their relationship by telling her that, although he’s twenty years her senior, he simply can’t handle her; he says she has something hard in her, that, if she wanted, she could cut him up into little pieces. He says something bad happened to Christina, something in her past that broke her but also made her stronger. We eventually find out what happened to Christina and come to appreciate his words. One thing is certain: since she hit her twenties, Christina has been—and continues to be—a dangerous young lady, especially dangerous for men who find themselves drawn to her.



RICK BOCCA
Muscleman Rick, age thirty-eight, has had good reason to live out of sight for the past four years, a reason revolving around the police nabbing a truckload of stolen air conditioners he and Christina were bringing back to the city. Christina was caught, but Rick escaped. She kept her mouth shut, and she was the only one who went to prison. But things are about to change. The detective involved in the case back then, a guy by the name of Peck, pulls up and tells Rick that Christina will be released early tomorrow—and he wants Rick to drive to the correctional facility to pick her up. Why? Rick wonders. Too many questions. Probably mob boss Tony Verducci worked a deal to get Christina out. Whatever the answer, Rick knows this means trouble—big trouble. Oh, Rick, my boy, how right you are.

THE BIG APPLE
Christina out on the streets of Lower Manhattan for the first time after spending four years in prison: “She felt slow and a little lost, but with each minute the city came back to her, like language. She saw everything – the ever-sleeker cars, the new ad campaigns on the sides of buses, the sidewalks thick with faces. People looked tired and sweaty and fed up. Overworked and barely paid. Underworked and stuffed with money. Chinese cops. Russian housewives from Brooklyn. White kids trying to look like black kids and black kids parodying themselves. Men who wanted to be women, and girls who liked girls. Everyone had attitude but no one looked political. The city had the same beat, the same insistency.” No doubt about it – reading Afterburn, we feel the pounding, intense vibration of New York City.

DETAILS, DETAILS, DETAILS
Colin Harrison clearly conducted meticulous research across the many areas his novel explores—ranging from Vietnam War jets and bombing missions to the intricacies of international business, high-tech industries, finance and stock trading, elaborate swindles, and underground numbers operations. If you relish a story rich in well-researched specifics, this is the book for you.

TORTURE
I feel it’s important to note that Afterburn includes several scenes depicting torture, occurring not only in 1972 Vietnam but also in 1999 New York City. The explicit nature of these scenes may bring to mind the hyperviolence in the novels of Pierre Lemaitre and Jo Nesbø. I sincerely hope this aspect of Afterburn does not discourage potential readers.

WRITING
Although his novels are labeled thrillers, Colin Harrison writes high quality literature on the level of Don DeLillo and Philip Roth. I can't recommend Afterburn and the other novels by this outstanding American author highly enough.


American author Colin Harrison, born 1960

[Morgen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ironic ending but the wrong characters died and the one who caused it all survived with the money. Starts with a harrowing account of an air force pilot POW in Vietnam, who returns stateside and becomes a very successful businessman. His story becomes entangled with Christine's. She is a bright math star who is using those talents to help the Mafia highjack shipments until she highjacks their cash/

[Sarah Potter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to put this away. It wasn't a terrible book ,but it never really grabbed me. I'm 43 years old and I don't have time for mediocre. The death in the restroom was cool, but OMG I don't need to hear about how many sit ups you can do. He said he loved his daughter, but he never talked about her like he REALLY cared so it made the story hard to emotionally connect with.

[William Blackwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gritty and raw look into the minds of two very different characters. Overflowing with inner dialogue and backstory to the point of being a tad tedious at times. Description of sex scenes and torture so detailed, I would not recommend it for the faint if heart. Otherwise, great prose and a good read.

[Naomi Carlson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much blood, guts and torture without any characters in a retaliatory position. Could have used a Lisbeth Salander character. At least level the playing field. I want a little payback.

[Katy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh. All cliches. Couldn't finish it.

[Bob Box · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in 2000. An intelligent, visceral, well told literary thriller.

[BarbaraW · Rating 3 out of 5]

Difficult to read. Ok at first but then turns very dark and gory.

[maulfield · Rating 1 out of 5]

Valamikor egy évtizeddel ezelőtt ajánlották nekem ezt a könyvet. Akkor kb 100 oldalig jutottam, ahogy az ez előtt itt álló értékelésben olvasható volt, azért mert annyira gyengének éreztem a fordítást, hogy nem bírtam tovább.

Nagyjából fél éve ismét elővettem, immár elszántabban. Véletlenül megint nagyjából ugyan addig jutottam első nekifutásra, aztán sok kihagyással, lassan és kínok között eljutottam a végére. Hiszen ha már egyszer valaki ajánlotta, konkrétan nekem, csak lehet benne valami, nem?

A fordítás még mindig kínkeserves, főleg az elején annyira életszerűtlenül kommunikálnak, hogy teljesen kizökkentett. Aztán nagyon sokáig nem igazán történik semmi érdemi a műben. Ekkor az tűnik fel, hogy mintha ömlene a 90-es évek hangulata ebből a könyvből, mármint azé a hangulaté amit B kategóriás akció- és krimifilmekben lát az ember. Én ezt teljesen szubjektíven nem szeretem, engem valamilyen roppant infantilis, kezdetleges, érdemi következtetésekben hiányos értékrend mentén kialakuló ízlésvilágra emlékeztet maga a korszellem. Ez volt szenvedésem második dimenziója, de nem az utolsó.

Egy idő után megunom, hogy még mindig előkészítünk (gondolom) és elkezd zavarni, hogy nem értem a struktúráját a könyvnek. Ide-oda kapkod a cselekményekben, és kapkodás alatt itt azt értem, hogy valójában semmi nem halad előre, amiről épp szó van. Sem a történet, sem a karakterek. Egy rablás története (ami bizonyára tuti kis balhé fordítással szerepelne a könyvben) többször megismétlődik, pedig elsőre is érthető… mármint a lényege. A részleteit én harmadikra se fogtam fel, de biztos nálam van a hiba. Valamikor közben van a többi értékelés által megénekelt kínzós jelenet, ami elég hatásos abban az értelemben, hogy tényleg megfordul az emberrel a világ közben. Itt úgy gondoltam, hogy ez a történet vonal elég jó novella lehetne külön, hiszen amúgy sincs semmi köze a fősodorhoz.

Aztán elérkezünk az utolsó rablás magyarázathoz és az utolsó ötven oldalhoz, ami egészen eltér az eddig diktált tempótól. A szereplők eddig a pontig semmilyen fejlődésen nem mentek keresztül, nem voltak különösebben kedvelhetőek vagy érdekfeszítőek, motivációjuk inkább tűnt a cselekmény (inkább történéseknek nevezném) szükségszerűségének. Ezen pont után semmit sem változtak a dolgok, csak felnagyítva lettek hihetetlenebbek. A történet lezárul, a mellékvágány beér a főcsapásba, én pedig eljutok a köszönetnyilvánításig úgy, hogy semmivel sem lettem gazdagabb a befektetett energiáimért.

Az Athenaeum dátumozatlan keménykötésű kiadását olvastam, Győrffy Iván fordításában.

[Ray Pezzi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read Harrison's earlier novels "Bodies Electric" and "Manhattan Nocturne" and enjoyed them very much, so I was really looking forward to this book. Unfortunately, "Afterburn" was a tremendous disappointment for me. The beautifully descriptive writing style evident in his earlier works is utterly lacking here. Perhaps it was just the shift from the first-person perspective in the earlier books to the third-person here, but the writing here is very plodding, prosaic, and workmanlike.
Worse than that though, is the incredibly graphic and gratuitous sex and violence upon which Harrison dwells throughout "Afterburn". Hey, I like reading a nicely written erotic passage as much as anybody--I thought the 'sex scenes' in "Bodies Electric" were some of the hottest I'd ever read--but this book went way beyond eroticism. I'd suggest that, next time, Harrison might do better to leave a bit to the imagination and not provide us the equivalent of a gynecological exam. Violence? Well, after the 3rd or 4th multi-page torture scene, I started skimming rather than reading....as well as wondering if Harrison's apparent fascination with the intricacies of torture were an indication that he's a crazed sadist...or just a burned-out novelist trying to overcompensate for the loss of having something to say.

[Terry · Rating 2 out of 5]

This seemed like the perfect novel to read on our trip to New York City with lots of time in the air or at airports coming and going. It's 600 pages long, it's set in New York City and it got great reviews. It's a sort of crime/caper novel and while it's a page-turner, I didn't really like it. The violence is really nasty and graphic. The sex is pretty graphic, too, but strangely unsexy. I didn't really like the characters (maybe that was intended) and as for the New York setting, it was really just a few addresses -- no description, no real sense of place. It might as well have been San Jose. Not recommended.

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is well-written; however, I think it would have been well-served with a good editor to cut it down to size a bit. There were parts I really enjoyed, where the book moved. My biggest problem was that all of the characters were flawed, and in ways that made it difficult for me to identify with them or pull for them. I would start out really liking the character, but then become disgruntled with choices/decisions made. I would like to re-write the ending!

[Rona Simmons · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 400 page tome with an occasional 500 word sentence and descriptions that run from confusing to poetic and many go on for far too long in my opinion, yet the book is a page turner even if Ii confess to reading the last two-thirds to find out what happened though I did not care about the characters or identify with the circumstances. I'm not one to shy away from books heavy on sex or violence, but this one an excess of both that I felt dwarfed the story.