Fierce People

by Dirk Wittenborn

Dropped into a world more savage than anything in National Geographic , more cutthroat than anything New York's grimy downtown streets have to offer-the exclusive rural community of Vlyvalle, New Jersey-fifteen-year-old Finn Earl and his recovering mother must fight for survival.

Genres: Fiction, Coming Of Age, Novels, The United States Of America

Paperback

First published July 5, 2002

About the author

DIRK WITTENBORN is a novelist (Fierce People, Pharmakon), screenwriter and the Emmy-nominated producer of the HBO documentary, Born Rich. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and daughter and summers on the wrong side of the tracks in East Hampton, NY.

Reviews

[Beryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I have ever read. Well written, incredibly told coming of age story. Beautifully developed characters. I was right there, watching it all. A masterpiece. I loved it!

[Pamela Pickering · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every once in a while I try to pick up something which is different than my normal choice of reading material. This certainly qualifies. Quite a few reviewers have commpared this story to Catcher in the Rye which worried me since I detested the Salinger's classic. Surprisingly, I found myself drawn into Finn's tale. Albeit, Finn is a rebellious teenager, a liar, a bit of an asshole, and likes to use his recreational drugs, you just can't help but root for him. I think the difference between him and Caulfield is that Finn is aware of his shortcomings and hates himself for them.

Finn, the lovechild of a single mom (whose behavior does not make her the best role model) and of famous anthroplogist who lives among the Yanomamo (the fierce people) tribe of South America. Finn only knows his father through letters and an occassional film. Thus, he seems himself as an amateur anthropologist and wishes to spend the summer with his father and study the fierce people as well. Unfortunately, events throw Finn into the midst of a different tribe altogether. Finn becomes embedded with the Fierce People of a village in New Jersey. They are the upperclass economically elite. Certainly, the author shows one doesn't have to have money to have class and the upperclass in this story surely do not possess it. Wittenborn clearly depicts money does not make happiness. Although the story had some anachronisms (Ex: I don't think the word "poser" existed in 1978) I clearly enjoyed it even though it illuminates a lifestyle which I know nothing about.

[Colin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose to read this book after reading Pharmakon by Wittenborn, a quirky novel I immensely enjoyed. Fierce People was nothing deep- just an enjoyable story with a main theme somewhat similar to Nick Carraway's disenchantment of wealth in Gatsby. It was fun to read how the main character (Finn) navigated the fierce social environment he is brought to. However, towards the end the novel took a turn for the worse and veered off into ridiculousness, or so I thought. Unfortunately the ending was predictable. But overall, a decent book with a decent story.

[Kristin-Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I made the mistake of reading this novel after watching the failure of a film. Don't do it! If you've seen the movie already, there's nothing in the novel for you. Most of the narration is taken directly from the text, and the revisions made for the screenplay don't detract anything important from the story as a whole.

If you haven't seen the movie yet, I suppose it's worth a read. But whatever this book does has been done better and with more style in The Catcher in the Rye, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, etc.

[Graham Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A class study in the style of a bildungsroman, this novel deconstructs the lives and exploits of the ultra-rich. What would it be like to be immersed into a society where actions don't have consequences? That is the central premise of this novel and is explored through the lens of a fifteen-year old aspiring anthropologist.

Fierce People is a thoughtful novel but not one for readers with a weak stomach or a low tolerance for the taboo. While thoughtful, Wittenborn does not pull any punches and commits to the polar extremes of moral depravity.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written from the point of view of a teenaged boy. Reminded me of "Cather in the Rye", but made me laugh instead of cry!

[Merve K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Umduğumdan çok farklı ama çok güzel bir kitapla karşılaştım.
15 yaşındaki Finn, uyuşturucu bağımlısı ve masaj yaparak geçimini sağlayan annesiyle birlikte yaşar. Tek arzusu pek görüşmediği babasının yanına gitmek. Babası vahşi insanlar olarak adlandırdığı Yanomami kabilesiyle ilgili araştırmalar yapar. Finn de babası tarafından bir davet alınca kendini bu kabileyi araştırmaya adar. Kitabı okurken kapağı ve başlangıcına dayanarak bu yönde bir şeyler okuyacağımı sanırken kitap bambaşka bir tarafa gitti.
Finn, uyuşturucuyu bırakmaya karar veren annesinin ani bir kararıyla annesinin zengin bir arkadaşının yanına taşınır. Ve vahşi insanların yanomami kabilesi olmadığını anlayacak bir dizi olay yaşar. Kitap hem çok akıcıydı hem de bir ergenin kişiliğini keşfetme yolculuğunu anlatması açısından çok anlamlıydı.
Kitap kendinize Yanomami kabilesi mi daha ilkel yoksa zengin bir hayat yaşayan bir grup züppe mi daha ilkel sorusunu da sormanızı sağlıyor.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A coming of age story about Finn, a sixteen year old boy. Finn's Mum is a bit flaky and his Dad is absent; he's a famous anthropologist working abroad. Mum wants to get on top of her coke problem so she decides they will move; to a super rich rural town where one of her masseuse clients resides and rules over the town. Mum tries to re-brand herself and work her way up the towns social ladder whilst Finn find himself easily accepted into the fold. Lots of crazy things happen until they both end up ex-communicated from the town. It's a fun and lively novel, highlighting the dysfunctional nature of families, and how socio-economic status influences the outcomes of those dysfunctions.

[Melinda Black · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn’t get into it

[Hara Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wait for it.

[Liv · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover summarises the book perfectly. Rich people that behave like animals. A very funny (and also sometimes disturbing) novel.

[Dimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesus Christ.

[Jasmine Key · Rating 5 out of 5]

A favourite of mine

[Stegi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!

[Nina Wainwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put it down.

[ainsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is one of those books i could read over and over and over again. truly unlike anything else i’ve ever read. it’s an interesting study of human nature that really gets inside the heads of each character and why they are the way the way that they are, which is completely and totally screwed up. each character is complex and unique, and surprisingly relatable in one way or another. seeming to contain almost every genre possible, this story blends everything seamlessly together. whittenborns story and style of writing is totally wacky and weird and completely addicting. if you can get your hands on it (which is surprisingly difficult) i would recommend a in a heartbeat.

[Ramona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daily Mirror ”Impresionant…aruncă în aer ipocrizia visului american”
The Tmes ”Modern și feroce …oferă o privire nemiloasă asupra corupției celor foarte bogați”
Sunday Telegraph ”Deopotrivă sălbatică și amuzantă”
Chiar și autorul Dirk Wittenbornne zice despre cartea creată de el ”O carte despre o adolescență într-o Americăa libertăților depline, care aduce în prim plan intimitatea și frumusețeaanilor autodistrugători când sexul era liber, iar cocaina nu dădea dependență”
Cartea lui Dirk Wittenborn ”OameniFeroce” este un roman cinematografic, cu o poveste intrigantă. Nu este o carte pe care o puteși citi în metrou sau tramvai, ci este o carte pe care trebuie să o savurezi pe îndelete, acasă într-un fotoliu cu o cească de ceai alaturi.
”Oameni feroce” e povestea unui adolescent de 15 ani din anii ’70, Finn Earl, fiul unui antropolog ocupat cu studierea celor mai rai oameni de pe Pamant, tribul Yanomamo, si a unei maseuze blocată în tinerețea ei hippie, dependenta de cocaina și cu o viață sexuală care străbate peretele dintre camera sa și cea a fiului său cu hormonu-n gât. Finn este un băiat deștept dar pe care nu îl preocupă cartea și nu învață foarte bine.
[...]
http://www.imforeveryoung.info/oameni...

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw a preview somewhere of a film made from this book, and it looked intriguing, so when I found the book at a shop in London I figured I'd read it since it would probably be better the movie and who knows when I would see the movie anyway. After reading the book I'm curious to know what the movie version of it would be like. It's about a teenage boy whose mother is a drug addict and takes him to live in a wealthy town where she's working for a millionaire as his masseuse. The boy gets involved with the rich kids in the community and strange things ensue.... I think one of the reviewers described it was Catcher in the Rye meets Lord of the Flies, which is an apt description. Well written and entertaining, if somewhat disturbing.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought the writing in this book was incredible. It was dense, descriptive, witty, and fast paced. Totally, utterly entertaining. I'm not surprised it's being made into movie. My ONLY criticism is this: I thought the writing was at such a higher level than the typical beach read that when I reached the end, which was insanely shocking and packed with surprises, I was almost disapointed because it was almost too "blockbuster." Is it possible to think a book has too entertaining an ending? I think it's like the Sopranos. Everyone loved how realistic it was... and how subtle and deep the end was. It made it more intellectual. It would've been too easy for them to have Tony get killed. So I thought this novel ended by pulling too many stunts. But... it was pretty incredible.

[Missa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never saw the movie, but the book... Dirk Wittenborn can write.

It really dived into the subtle selfishness of money. It creeps in like you wouldn't suspect, and makes some more evil than you could imagine. It's amazing how a family, filled with all the finest things in life, could be so dissatisfied. This books has it all, family, love, sex, deception, war-tactics... you name it.

Did you know that Dirk's nephew is Jamie Johnson of the J&J Pharma. Johnson's? I think this book might be about people he really knows... sick, if you think about it.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot. I'm very stingy with five-star ratings, but I considered giving it five stars. Consider this a 4.5 star. There are probably enough page-turning, what-happens-next moments here for two or three different books. It strikes a pretty good balance on the predictable/unpredictable scale, the characters are interesting and sad and a little funny, and the narrator is appealing and believable. If each of those elements were kicked up just a notch further, and if the book had a bigger "wow" factor in terms of a life lesson/new way of thinking, I could go for the 5 stars.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book. It wasn't what I would have usually picked up for a holiday read, but really enjoyed it nonetheless!

I found myself laughing at the characters in this unusual story... I really give credit to Wittenborn for that!

Wittenborn did a fabulous job in this one- it gave insight (whether accurate or not I would not know) into a world that most would never get to know, and into perspectives and characters that we also would never seem to know.

I really enjoyed Fierce people, and found it to be quite a page turner!

[Liesl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dirk Wittenborn offers up a humorous and witty coming of age story that follows rebellious, curious and relatable teen Finn Earl through his interactions with a wealthy and twisted family. The plot gives readers a peek into the world of the privileged through a cast of eccentric characters, and some of their behavior is downright disturbing. The book started out very strong and I greatly enjoyed the first half, but the action meandered around in the second half to a somewhat unsatisfying, predictable ending.

[Pattie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I seriously bought this book by accident at a book fair. I picked it up to check it out and in the mad frenzy of looking at more books I never even looked at it before I bought it. Thank God! Cause I know myself well enough to say that if I had read the dusk jacket flap I would have not wanted to proceed with the book. But the book so far is awesome! Very well written. Personal but also distanced from real life. You can sense the bear traps coming (of a sort) but you still want to keep reading even anticipating horrific embarrassment...that's huge in my book!

[edel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book quite a while ago at a used book store years ago. It was a sale and I just grabbed whatever book I could grab. I'm actually glad I waited those years to read this or I probably wouldn't enjoy it as much. Back then I would have been extremely offended by 99% of the content in the book but life happened and now I'm chuckling at (and wishing for) my innocence. Either way, I enjoyed this book. A bit predictable near the end but a very good read. This is going on my favorites list.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent insight into the psyche of a troubled 15/16 year old boy. It has been compared favourably to Cather in the Rye and I would have to agree that this is a far better prtrayal of a troubled teen, and much wittier to boot! It's full of humour, has a bit of a dark side, starts off as a bit of a jaunt, though with a slightly seedy aspect and tumbles into a little bit of whodunnit mystery. An absolutely superb read with intriguing, alive characters and a fast paced story that will keep your interest.

[Mark Speed · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh dear. My criticism and that of the critics seem to diverge. "Both savage and funny" says the Sunday Telegraph. Maybe it's only savage, and it's only savage on the reader. I honestly didn't find this witty or engaging. I'm sure there's an audience for it somewhere. Not here. Sorry.

Just looking at Wikipedia here. Apparently it was cinematized in 2005. What? Oh, you mean made into a film/movie that didn't work either. Apparently it 'earned negative reviews'. Wow - apparently it was so bad it had to earn them. Ouch!

[Christopher Cariola · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quirkiness in books, when used correctly, can work wonders to get a story to work even if it's a simple one.
This book did not do it for me. First, the main character and narrator, Finn is just not humorous enough and the supporting characters just run through the cliche aspects of their characters. His cocaine addicted mother, Liz and living off of an aging billionaire, Mr. Osborne, never made me feel riveted enough to enjoy.
The book reads off as an unfunny television screenplay.

[Cal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this. The drama, though on a couple occasions more over-the-top than was necessary, is still wildly entertaining. I personally really felt sympathy for Finn, and enjoyed when things more-or-less worked out for him when all was said-and-done. This is one of the books responsible for getting my back into reading a couple years ago now, and it will always have a spot on my shelf!

[Wendy Siryj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. Loved the complex characters, and the book captured the 70's beautifully. This book reminded me of my all time favorite book, "Music for Torching" by A.M. Homes, another book about dysfunctional families. A great read for those that like quirkiness!! Look forward to reading more by this author.