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Scarface
Tony Guarino grew up in the hard world of the bar and the poolroom, where every gangster was a hero and every cop an enemy. Only the tough made it. When he was just eighteen, he killed Al Spingola, gang boss and ruthless slayer, and was catapulted into notoriety and fame, but that was to be just the beginning of his rise to dominance.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1930
51 people are currently reading
1164 people want to read
About the author
Armitage Trail
6 books9 followersArmitage Trail (July 18, 1902, Madison, Nebraska – October 10, 1930, Los Angeles, California) was an American crime writer best known for his 1929 novel Scarface, depicting the rise of gangster Al Capone, which was adapted into the 1932 film Scarface directed by Howard Hawks and produced by Howard Hughes. The film was loosely remade as 1983's Scarface.
Born as Maurice Coons, he began writing at the age of sixteen, and wrote a number of detective stories for magazines. He was paid $25,000 for the rights for Scarface and helped adapt it for the screen. He also wrote the 1929 novel on which the 1932 film The Thirteenth Guest was based. He died suddenly, in 1930, aged 28, from a heart attack, at the Paramount Theatre in Los Angeles. [wikipedia]
Born as Maurice Coons, he began writing at the age of sixteen, and wrote a number of detective stories for magazines. He was paid $25,000 for the rights for Scarface and helped adapt it for the screen. He also wrote the 1929 novel on which the 1932 film The Thirteenth Guest was based. He died suddenly, in 1930, aged 28, from a heart attack, at the Paramount Theatre in Los Angeles. [wikipedia]
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
November 8, 2012
"She was the sort of girl that immediately and unconsciously made a young man ambitious for more intimate acquaintance and an old man regretful for his age."
That would've been a fantastic opening for the book, but it came later... It actually opens with Tony, a young nobody, killing a gang leader for his dame...
The book is about the rise of Tony through the ranks of gangsters in post-world war I Chicago, with Prohibition and lots of homemade alcohol and machine guns.
Tony starts off as a nobody, but after bumping off a gang leader to steal is girlfriend, he joins up with another mob, rising up in the ranks till an incident with the chief detective in the police forces him to flee Chicago and join the Army to fight in the war.
Coming back, with the eponymous facial scar he joins a different mob and through a deadly combination of brains and balls quickly rises up again. The only emotional feeling he shows is that he doesn't want to disappoint his mother by having her find out he's the most ruthless, successful gangster in town.
Written in 1930 it's fast paced and entertaining. Cars described seem more modern than I realized they were at that time, and the language feels like it fits old-time gangsters.
It makes me wonder if my own grandfather talked like that back when he was bookmaker for the mafia out of his New Jersey candy store in the 30's and early 40's.
That would've been a fantastic opening for the book, but it came later... It actually opens with Tony, a young nobody, killing a gang leader for his dame...
The book is about the rise of Tony through the ranks of gangsters in post-world war I Chicago, with Prohibition and lots of homemade alcohol and machine guns.
Tony starts off as a nobody, but after bumping off a gang leader to steal is girlfriend, he joins up with another mob, rising up in the ranks till an incident with the chief detective in the police forces him to flee Chicago and join the Army to fight in the war.
Coming back, with the eponymous facial scar he joins a different mob and through a deadly combination of brains and balls quickly rises up again. The only emotional feeling he shows is that he doesn't want to disappoint his mother by having her find out he's the most ruthless, successful gangster in town.
Written in 1930 it's fast paced and entertaining. Cars described seem more modern than I realized they were at that time, and the language feels like it fits old-time gangsters.
It makes me wonder if my own grandfather talked like that back when he was bookmaker for the mafia out of his New Jersey candy store in the 30's and early 40's.
June 17, 2015
Firstly, don't let yourself be lead by the cover! Brian de Palma's 1983 film starring (hot hot hot) Al Pacino has almost nothing to do with this novel. The book character Scarface ressembles a great deal more Al Capone's profile, a mobster building his empire by ilicit substances and alcohol during the Great Depression. Very interesting and definitively worth reading, though.
March 7, 2010
It's important to go in knowing that this book inspired the movie but it isn't a recap of the movie. Scarface takes place during Prohibition. Tony Guarino is a young tough who falls in love (from a distance) with the girlfriend of a notorious mob leader. When he approaches her for a date she quickly dismisses him saying "Whenever you get a flock o'dough, kid, an' a big car, why come around and then maybe I'll date you." Tony rents an expensive car, wraps a hundred dollar bill around a wad of ones, and shows up the next night to make good on his promise to Vyvyan, the dangerous gangster Al Spingola's moll. Of course this doesn't go over well with big Al, and what follows quickly shows Tony's potential as a future mob leader.
This is a short book that documents the rise of "Scarface Tony", a name he receives after getting a long scar on his face in the war. He quickly pulls away from the pack of other gangsters and soon finds himself heading his own gang following the retirement of the former leader. While there is some gun play and violence, it's nothing like the movie. And there is no mention of drugs, the biggest money maker is alcohol.
The book is enjoyable, and fairly well written. But I fear most people will be disappointed if they pick it up thinking it will be a written version of the film. The copy of the book that I have actually has Al Pacino on the cover. The film is so loosely based on this story that it barely deserves the comparison. It should be seen for what it is, an entertaining story of the early mob in Chicago.
This is a short book that documents the rise of "Scarface Tony", a name he receives after getting a long scar on his face in the war. He quickly pulls away from the pack of other gangsters and soon finds himself heading his own gang following the retirement of the former leader. While there is some gun play and violence, it's nothing like the movie. And there is no mention of drugs, the biggest money maker is alcohol.
The book is enjoyable, and fairly well written. But I fear most people will be disappointed if they pick it up thinking it will be a written version of the film. The copy of the book that I have actually has Al Pacino on the cover. The film is so loosely based on this story that it barely deserves the comparison. It should be seen for what it is, an entertaining story of the early mob in Chicago.
August 31, 2021
চাইলেই ৪০০+ পৃষ্ঠার মহাকাব্যিক উপন্যাস হতে পারতো৷ অতিমাত্রায় অপ্রতুল কাহিনী বর্ণনাতে স্কারফেসের উদ্ধত, বিপদজনক জীবনকে দুর্দান্ত কিছুই মনে হয়নি৷ স্কারফেসকেও নারীসঙ্গে মজে থাকা অপরিপক্ক, মাথা গরম গ্যাংস্টার মনে হয়েছে৷ যার বুদ্ধির চেয়ে পেশীশক্তিই বেশি৷
আল পাচিনোর স্কারফেসকেই এগিয়ে রাখবো৷
ছোট্ট বইকে ফন্ট-স্পেসিং বড় করে ২০০+ পৃষ্ঠা বানানোয় বেশ বিরক্তিবোধ করেছি৷ প্রচ্ছদও কাঁচা হাতের, তবে অনুবাদ ভালো ছিল বরাবরের মতো৷
আল পাচিনোর স্কারফেসকেই এগিয়ে রাখবো৷
ছোট্ট বইকে ফন্ট-স্পেসিং বড় করে ২০০+ পৃষ্ঠা বানানোয় বেশ বিরক্তিবোধ করেছি৷ প্রচ্ছদও কাঁচা হাতের, তবে অনুবাদ ভালো ছিল বরাবরের মতো৷
November 5, 2024
টনি স্কারফেস, রাস্তার পাতি গুন্ডা থেকে শহরের নামকরা মাফিয়া। শহরের মাফিয়ার সুন্দরী প্রেমিকাকে দখল করার খায়েশ থেকে পুরো শহর কব্জা করে ফেলে টনি। এক মারামারিতে মুখের উপরে একটা কাটা দাগ পড়ে যায়। সেই থেকে তার নাম হয়ে যায় টনি স্কারফেস।
স্ট্রিট ফাইট থেকে আন্ডারওয়ার্ল্ড জগতের সুনিপুণ চিত্রায়ণ। লেখকের লিখনশৈলী এবং অনুবাদকের অনুবাদ; দুটোই উপভোগ করেছি। টনি স্কারফেস চরিত্রটা উপভোগ করেছি বলাই বাহুল্য।
স্ট্রিট ফাইট থেকে আন্ডারওয়ার্ল্ড জগতের সুনিপুণ চিত্রায়ণ। লেখকের লিখনশৈলী এবং অনুবাদকের অনুবাদ; দুটোই উপভোগ করেছি। টনি স্কারফেস চরিত্রটা উপভোগ করেছি বলাই বাহুল্য।
July 10, 2018
The movie is one of my alltime favourites!
July 28, 2022
Almost endearing in how poorly written, paced and structured it is. It reads like fan fiction you might stumble onto in a corner of the Internet when searching for something completely unrelated. Tony's death, for example, takes up a grand total of one line - which I kind of love, to be honest.
Somehow, despite Armitage Trail having had first-hand exposure to the gangster life, he writes about it as though he is 80 years removed and worlds away from the experience. Bizarre. At least it paved the way for the excellent Paul Muni version of Scarface on film two years later. It's also fun to see how a few ideas from the book did do manage to make it into the 1983 version of Scarface, most significantly Tony's murderous rage when he finds out his sister has married his chief lackey on the sly. Still, this is absolutely not worth a read. I can only assume they were handing out publishing contracts on the corner of every major city in the USA back then.
Somehow, despite Armitage Trail having had first-hand exposure to the gangster life, he writes about it as though he is 80 years removed and worlds away from the experience. Bizarre. At least it paved the way for the excellent Paul Muni version of Scarface on film two years later. It's also fun to see how a few ideas from the book did do manage to make it into the 1983 version of Scarface, most significantly Tony's murderous rage when he finds out his sister has married his chief lackey on the sly. Still, this is absolutely not worth a read. I can only assume they were handing out publishing contracts on the corner of every major city in the USA back then.
October 2, 2011
Having not seen the film Scarface I can judge this novel on the story alone. I have to say I enjoyed Scarface, it is a gritty gangster drama which keeps the pages turning.
Scarface follows the story of Tony Guarino, a small time gangster who becomes the head of a powerful criminal organisation. After going to fight in World War I Tony returns to his home and finds he has been declared dead. This allows him assume a new identity and begin again. What follows in the life of Tony Guarino and his criminal empire.
A good story, easy to read and enough action to keep the pages turning.
Scarface follows the story of Tony Guarino, a small time gangster who becomes the head of a powerful criminal organisation. After going to fight in World War I Tony returns to his home and finds he has been declared dead. This allows him assume a new identity and begin again. What follows in the life of Tony Guarino and his criminal empire.
A good story, easy to read and enough action to keep the pages turning.
October 11, 2007
The silliness of this book does not quite manage to rescue it from mediocrity. The Brian de Palma movie, based somewhat loosely on the book, (which is loosely based on the life of Al Capone) is much better.
May 1, 2023
*plays antihero by taylor ft bleachers
January 21, 2019
|| রিভিউ ||
বইঃ স্কারফেস
লেখকঃ আর্মিটেজ ট্রেইল
রূপান্তরঃ মোঃ ফুয়াদ আল ফিদাহ
প্রকাশকঃ বহুমাত্রিক প্রকাশনা
প্রকাশকালঃ জুন, ২০১৮
ঘরানাঃ ক্লাসিক/গ্যাংস্টার থ্রিলার
প্রচ্ছদ পরিকল্পনাঃ মোঃ ফুয়াদ আল ফিদাহ
পৃষ্ঠাঃ ২০৬
মুদ্রিত মূল্যঃ ২৯০ টাকা
ধরণঃ হার্ডকাভার
কাহিনি সংক্ষেপঃ মধ্যবিত্ত পরিবারের ছেলে টনি গুয়ারিনোর জীবনের প্রথম অপরাধ জগতে পা রাখা মাত্র আঠারো বছর বয়সে। তা-ও যে সে অপরাধ না, একেবারে খুন। সবাইকে একরকম অবাক করে দিয়ে কুখ্যাত মাফিয়া বস অ্যাল স্পিনগোলাকে খুন করে বসলো টনি গুয়ারিনো। কারণটা ভিভিয়ান লাভজয় নামের এক মেয়ে। ভিভিয়ানের প্রেমে অন্ধ হয়ে টনি যখন এমন একটা পদক্ষেপ নিলো, সে তখন নিজেও জানতোনা একদিন পুরো আমেরিকার সবচেয়ে ক্ষমতাধর ডনে পরিণত হবে সে।
এই একটা খুনই যেন অপরাধের রাস্তায় পা বাড়াতে উদ্বুদ্ধ করলো টনিকে। ছোটখাটো একটা গ্যাঙের সাথে যুক্ত হলো সে৷ কিন্তু শুরু থেকেই টনি ও তার আশেপাশের মানুষরা এটা বুঝতে পারছিলো যে তার জন্মই হয়েছে নেতৃত্ব দেয়ার জন্য। সবকিছু ভালোই চলছিলো টনির জীবনে। কিন্তু হঠাৎ-ই তার টক্কর লেগে গেলো শহরের গোয়েন্দা প্রধান ক্যাপ্টেন ফ্লানাগানের সাথে। এক পর্যায়ে শহর ছাড়তে হলো টনি গুয়ারিনোকে। সেনাবাহিনীতে নাম লেখালো সে। সঞ্চয় করলো নানা অভিজ্ঞতা। আর তারপর যখন সে আবারো ফিরলো নিজ শহরে, তখন ফিরলো টনি ক্যামোন্তে ওরফে স্কারফেস নামে।
জনি লোভোর গ্যাঙে যোগ দেয়ার পর থেকেই টনির জীবনের উত্থানপর্ব শুরু হলো আবারো নতুন করে। সর্বক্ষেত্রে নিজের যোগ্যতার স্বাক্ষর রাখতে লাগলো সে। বয়ে যেতে লাগলো সময়। সেই সময় কখনো স্থিরতার, আবার কখনো চরম অস্থিরতায় পরিপূর্ণ। উত্তরের চিরশত্রু স্কীমার ব্রুনোর গ্যাঙের সাথেও স্কারফেসের গ্যাঙের বিরোধ চরম আক���র ধারণ করলো। বাতাসে সার্বক্ষণিক ভেসে বেড়াতে লাগলো বুলেটের ধোঁয়া ও গন্ধ। আর এসবের মাঝেই টনি ক্যামোন্তের জীবনে এলো জেন নামের এক অনিন্দ্যসুন্দরী গান গার্ল। এদিকে খোদ টনিরই বড় ভাই সদ্য পদোন্নতিপ্রাপ্ত পুলিশ কর্মকর্তা বেন গুয়ারিনোও যেন আদাজল খেয়ে লাগলো ওর পেছনে।
ক্ষমতার প্রতি তীব্র এক আকাঙ্খা ধীরে ধীরে একজন সাধারণ মানুষ থেকে অসাধারণ একজনে রূপান্তর করলো স্কারফেসকে। গল্পটা শুধু একজন গ্যাংস্টারের উত্থানেরই না, বরং গল্পটা বিপদের, ভালোবাসার, বিশ্বাসের ও বিশ্বাসঘাতকতারও বটে।
পাঠ প্রতিক্রিয়াঃ 'স্কারফেস' উপন্যাসের লেখক আর্মিটেজ ট্রেইলের আসল নাম মরিস কুনস। মাত্র ষোল বছর বয়সে লেখালেখি শুরু করেছিলেন তিনি। আর্মিটেজ ট্রেইল মারাও যান খুব তাড়াতাড়ি। মাত্র আটাশ বছর বয়সে! কুখ্যাত গ্যাংস্টার অ্যাল ক্যাপোনের জীবনকে উপজীব্য করে তিনি লিখেছেন 'স্কারফেস' উপন্যাসটা৷
এই উপন্যাসে টনি গুয়ারিনো নামের এক সাধারণ অথচ উচ্চাকাঙ্খী যুবকের জীবনের নানা উত্থানপতন মূর্ত হয়ে উঠেছে। টনি গুয়ারিনোর অপরাধ জগতে পদার্পণ থেকে শুরু করে ধীরে ধীরে তার স্কারফেস হয়ে ওঠার যাত্রাটা আদতেই দারুন রোমাঞ্চকর ছিলো। বুদ্ধিদীপ্ত, বিচক্ষণ ও নিষ্ঠুর স্বভাবের এই গ্যাংস্টারের জীবনের গল্পগুলো যতোই সামনে এসেছে, ততোই আশ্চর্য হয়েছি। নিজের অজান্তেই স্কারফেসের বিপদের আশঙ্কায় বারবার কেঁপে উঠেছে বুক। আর সবদিক বিবেচনা করে এই উপন্যাসের শেষটাও দারুন চমকপ্রদ ও অভাবনীয় মনে হয়েছে আমার কাছে। বইটা হাতে তুলে নেয়ার পর থেকে পুরোটা সময় যে বৃথা যায়নি, তা বলাই বাহুল্য।
মোঃ ফুয়াদ আল ফিদাহ'র রূপান্তর বরাবরের মতোই চমৎকার ছিলো। বরাবই একটা বইকে দারুন উপভোগ্য করে তোলেন তিনি তাঁর স্বভাবসুলভ সাবলীল রূপান্তর দিয়ে। 'স্কারফেস'-ও এর ব্যতিক্রম না। বইটার বাঁধাই ও কাগজের মানটাও বেশ ভালো ছিলো। বিশ্বখ্যাত অভিনেতা আল পাচিনো অভিনীত একটা মুভিও আছে এই বইয়ের গল্পটাকে নিয়ে৷ চাইলে বই ও মুভি, দুটোই পড়া ও দেখার লিস্টে রাখতে পারেন।
ব্যক্তিগত রেটিংঃ ৪/৫
গুডরিডস রেটিংঃ ৩.৭৯/৫
© শুভাগত দীপ
(২১ জানুয়ারি, ২০১৯, বিকাল ৪ টা ৩১ মিনিট)
বইঃ স্কারফেস
লেখকঃ আর্মিটেজ ট্রেইল
রূপান্তরঃ মোঃ ফুয়াদ আল ফিদাহ
প্রকাশকঃ বহুমাত্রিক প্রকাশনা
প্রকাশকালঃ জুন, ২০১৮
ঘরানাঃ ক্লাসিক/গ্যাংস্টার থ্রিলার
প্রচ্ছদ পরিকল্পনাঃ মোঃ ফুয়াদ আল ফিদাহ
পৃষ্ঠাঃ ২০৬
মুদ্রিত মূল্যঃ ২৯০ টাকা
ধরণঃ হার্ডকাভার
কাহিনি সংক্ষেপঃ মধ্যবিত্ত পরিবারের ছেলে টনি গুয়ারিনোর জীবনের প্রথম অপরাধ জগতে পা রাখা মাত্র আঠারো বছর বয়সে। তা-ও যে সে অপরাধ না, একেবারে খুন। সবাইকে একরকম অবাক করে দিয়ে কুখ্যাত মাফিয়া বস অ্যাল স্পিনগোলাকে খুন করে বসলো টনি গুয়ারিনো। কারণটা ভিভিয়ান লাভজয় নামের এক মেয়ে। ভিভিয়ানের প্রেমে অন্ধ হয়ে টনি যখন এমন একটা পদক্ষেপ নিলো, সে তখন নিজেও জানতোনা একদিন পুরো আমেরিকার সবচেয়ে ক্ষমতাধর ডনে পরিণত হবে সে।
এই একটা খুনই যেন অপরাধের রাস্তায় পা বাড়াতে উদ্বুদ্ধ করলো টনিকে। ছোটখাটো একটা গ্যাঙের সাথে যুক্ত হলো সে৷ কিন্তু শুরু থেকেই টনি ও তার আশেপাশের মানুষরা এটা বুঝতে পারছিলো যে তার জন্মই হয়েছে নেতৃত্ব দেয়ার জন্য। সবকিছু ভালোই চলছিলো টনির জীবনে। কিন্তু হঠাৎ-ই তার টক্কর লেগে গেলো শহরের গোয়েন্দা প্রধান ক্যাপ্টেন ফ্লানাগানের সাথে। এক পর্যায়ে শহর ছাড়তে হলো টনি গুয়ারিনোকে। সেনাবাহিনীতে নাম লেখালো সে। সঞ্চয় করলো নানা অভিজ্ঞতা। আর তারপর যখন সে আবারো ফিরলো নিজ শহরে, তখন ফিরলো টনি ক্যামোন্তে ওরফে স্কারফেস নামে।
জনি লোভোর গ্যাঙে যোগ দেয়ার পর থেকেই টনির জীবনের উত্থানপর্ব শুরু হলো আবারো নতুন করে। সর্বক্ষেত্রে নিজের যোগ্যতার স্বাক্ষর রাখতে লাগলো সে। বয়ে যেতে লাগলো সময়। সেই সময় কখনো স্থিরতার, আবার কখনো চরম অস্থিরতায় পরিপূর্ণ। উত্তরের চিরশত্রু স্কীমার ব্রুনোর গ্যাঙের সাথেও স্কারফেসের গ্যাঙের বিরোধ চরম আক���র ধারণ করলো। বাতাসে সার্বক্ষণিক ভেসে বেড়াতে লাগলো বুলেটের ধোঁয়া ও গন্ধ। আর এসবের মাঝেই টনি ক্যামোন্তের জীবনে এলো জেন নামের এক অনিন্দ্যসুন্দরী গান গার্ল। এদিকে খোদ টনিরই বড় ভাই সদ্য পদোন্নতিপ্রাপ্ত পুলিশ কর্মকর্তা বেন গুয়ারিনোও যেন আদাজল খেয়ে লাগলো ওর পেছনে।
ক্ষমতার প্রতি তীব্র এক আকাঙ্খা ধীরে ধীরে একজন সাধারণ মানুষ থেকে অসাধারণ একজনে রূপান্তর করলো স্কারফেসকে। গল্পটা শুধু একজন গ্যাংস্টারের উত্থানেরই না, বরং গল্পটা বিপদের, ভালোবাসার, বিশ্বাসের ও বিশ্বাসঘাতকতারও বটে।
পাঠ প্রতিক্রিয়াঃ 'স্কারফেস' উপন্যাসের লেখক আর্মিটেজ ট্রেইলের আসল নাম মরিস কুনস। মাত্র ষোল বছর বয়সে লেখালেখি শুরু করেছিলেন তিনি। আর্মিটেজ ট্রেইল মারাও যান খুব তাড়াতাড়ি। মাত্র আটাশ বছর বয়সে! কুখ্যাত গ্যাংস্টার অ্যাল ক্যাপোনের জীবনকে উপজীব্য করে তিনি লিখেছেন 'স্কারফেস' উপন্যাসটা৷
এই উপন্যাসে টনি গুয়ারিনো নামের এক সাধারণ অথচ উচ্চাকাঙ্খী যুবকের জীবনের নানা উত্থানপতন মূর্ত হয়ে উঠেছে। টনি গুয়ারিনোর অপরাধ জগতে পদার্পণ থেকে শুরু করে ধীরে ধীরে তার স্কারফেস হয়ে ওঠার যাত্রাটা আদতেই দারুন রোমাঞ্চকর ছিলো। বুদ্ধিদীপ্ত, বিচক্ষণ ও নিষ্ঠুর স্বভাবের এই গ্যাংস্টারের জীবনের গল্পগুলো যতোই সামনে এসেছে, ততোই আশ্চর্য হয়েছি। নিজের অজান্তেই স্কারফেসের বিপদের আশঙ্কায় বারবার কেঁপে উঠেছে বুক। আর সবদিক বিবেচনা করে এই উপন্যাসের শেষটাও দারুন চমকপ্রদ ও অভাবনীয় মনে হয়েছে আমার কাছে। বইটা হাতে তুলে নেয়ার পর থেকে পুরোটা সময় যে বৃথা যায়নি, তা বলাই বাহুল্য।
মোঃ ফুয়াদ আল ফিদাহ'র রূপান্তর বরাবরের মতোই চমৎকার ছিলো। বরাবই একটা বইকে দারুন উপভোগ্য করে তোলেন তিনি তাঁর স্বভাবসুলভ সাবলীল রূপান্তর দিয়ে। 'স্কারফেস'-ও এর ব্যতিক্রম না। বইটার বাঁধাই ও কাগজের মানটাও বেশ ভালো ছিলো। বিশ্বখ্যাত অভিনেতা আল পাচিনো অভিনীত একটা মুভিও আছে এই বইয়ের গল্পটাকে নিয়ে৷ চাইলে বই ও মুভি, দুটোই পড়া ও দেখার লিস্টে রাখতে পারেন।
ব্যক্তিগত রেটিংঃ ৪/৫
গুডরিডস রেটিংঃ ৩.৭৯/৫
© শুভাগত দীপ
(২১ জানুয়ারি, ২০১৯, বিকাল ৪ টা ৩১ মিনিট)
March 12, 2019
পরিবারের ছোট ছেলে টনি গুয়ারিনো। ওর বয়সী তরুনদের নিয়ে পুলিশের কাছে অনেক অভিযোগ থাকলেও টনিকে নিয়ে কোনো অভিযোগ নাই। ছেলেটা কখনো আইন ভাঙে না। সেই ছেলেটাই কিনা একটা মেয়েকে পাবার জন্য খুন করে বসলো শহরের ত্রাশ মাফিয়া বস আল স্পিনগোলাকে। এতবড় একটা ঘটনায় পুলিশ নিশ্চয়ই বসে থাকবে না! ব্যাপারটা বুঝতে পেরে পুলিশের হাত থেকে বাচার জন্য টনি যোগ দিলো অন্য আরেক মাফিয়া দলে। কিন্তু তারপরেও শেষ রক্ষা হলো না। সেই একই মেয়ের জন্য ঝামেলায় জড়িয়ে গেলো পুলিশ সুপারের সাথে। অবশেষে আইনের হাত থেকে বাঁচতে যুদ্ধে নাম লেখাল টনি।
কয়েকমাস অত্যন্ত সুনামের সাথে যুদ্ধ করে ফিরে এলো স্কারফেস হয়ে। ধীরে ধীরে হয়ে উঠলো অপরাধজগতের তারকা। প্রতিপক্ষ ভিন্ন মাফিয়া বস সহ নিজের ভাই। তবে অন্য মাফিয়াদের মত তার শুধু টাকা হলেই চলে না। তার চাই রক্ত রক্ত খেলা। টনি কি পারবে এই রক্তের খেলায় সবাইকে পিছনে ফেলতে?
বইটি পড়ার প্রতিক্রিয়া লিখতে গিয়ে অনুবাদকের কথাটা লিখতে ইচ্ছা হলো।
“স্কারফেস টনি অদ্ভুত এক চরিত্র। স্বেচ্ছায় জড়িয়েছে অপরাধের সঙ্গে, কিন্তু কেন যেন মন চায় তার পক্ষে থাকতে। যে অভিযানেই সে যাক না কেন, যে ব্যবসাই হাতে নিক না কেন; সেটা যেন সফল হয়, বই পড়তে এবং আবার অনুবাদ করতে গিয়েও প্রার্থনা করেছি মনে মনে।”
আমারো ঠিক একই অবস্থা হয়েছে। প্রতিটা অভিযানে ছিলাম টনির সাথে ছায়া হয়ে। বইটা ছোট। মাত্র ২০৬ পৃষ্টা। তার মাঝেও যেন একটা জীবন চলে এসেছে। আন্ডারওয়ার্ড বা মাফিয়া জগত নিয়ে মাসুদ রানার বাইরে তেমন একটা পড়া নেই। পড়েছিলাম ‘গডফাদার’। সম্পুর্ন আলাদা প্লট হলেও কিছুটা ফিল পাচ্ছিলাম।
চমৎকার অনুবাদের কারনে কখন যে বইটা শেষ হয়ে গেছে বুঝপ্তেই পারি নাই। আরে প্রচ্ছদের জন্য সেই নাম না জানা মানুষটিকে আন্তরিক অভিনন্দন।
আমি ব্যাক্তিগতভাবে ক্রাইম জনরার ফ্যান না হলেও মাঝেমাঝে পড়ি। তাই রিভিউ তেমন একটা ভালো না হলে কেউ গালাগালি কইরেন না।
কয়েকমাস অত্যন্ত সুনামের সাথে যুদ্ধ করে ফিরে এলো স্কারফেস হয়ে। ধীরে ধীরে হয়ে উঠলো অপরাধজগতের তারকা। প্রতিপক্ষ ভিন্ন মাফিয়া বস সহ নিজের ভাই। তবে অন্য মাফিয়াদের মত তার শুধু টাকা হলেই চলে না। তার চাই রক্ত রক্ত খেলা। টনি কি পারবে এই রক্তের খেলায় সবাইকে পিছনে ফেলতে?
বইটি পড়ার প্রতিক্রিয়া লিখতে গিয়ে অনুবাদকের কথাটা লিখতে ইচ্ছা হলো।
“স্কারফেস টনি অদ্ভুত এক চরিত্র। স্বেচ্ছায় জড়িয়েছে অপরাধের সঙ্গে, কিন্তু কেন যেন মন চায় তার পক্ষে থাকতে। যে অভিযানেই সে যাক না কেন, যে ব্যবসাই হাতে নিক না কেন; সেটা যেন সফল হয়, বই পড়তে এবং আবার অনুবাদ করতে গিয়েও প্রার্থনা করেছি মনে মনে।”
আমারো ঠিক একই অবস্থা হয়েছে। প্রতিটা অভিযানে ছিলাম টনির সাথে ছায়া হয়ে। বইটা ছোট। মাত্র ২০৬ পৃষ্টা। তার মাঝেও যেন একটা জীবন চলে এসেছে। আন্ডারওয়ার্ড বা মাফিয়া জগত নিয়ে মাসুদ রানার বাইরে তেমন একটা পড়া নেই। পড়েছিলাম ‘গডফাদার’। সম্পুর্ন আলাদা প্লট হলেও কিছুটা ফিল পাচ্ছিলাম।
চমৎকার অনুবাদের কারনে কখন যে বইটা শেষ হয়ে গেছে বুঝপ্তেই পারি নাই। আরে প্রচ্ছদের জন্য সেই নাম না জানা মানুষটিকে আন্তরিক অভিনন্দন।
আমি ব্যাক্তিগতভাবে ক্রাইম জনরার ফ্যান না হলেও মাঝেমাঝে পড়ি। তাই রিভিউ তেমন একটা ভালো না হলে কেউ গালাগালি কইরেন না।
July 4, 2013
Scarface (1930) This fairly straight forward gangster story is the basis of the 1930 Howard Hawks gangster film and it reads a lot like Little Caesar (1929), which was published a year earlier. Trail may or may not have read Burnett’s piece, but it’s conceivable that two separate writers could have come up with this straight-line narrative. A lot of the elements of the Ben Hecht script are in this novel, but they are better written in the movie. This does grant Tony Guarino some dignity and as in most tragedies, it is his character strengths that destroy him. Glad I read it.
April 2, 2021
এক গ্যাংস্টারের শিখরে ওঠার গল্প, যদিও শেষটা জমলো না
January 29, 2023
was ok, like the book more then the movie, but it was still a long read
March 13, 2021
গডফাদার বা মাফিয়া কাহিনি আমাকে বরাবরই টানে। সেই সুবাধে পড়লাম এই বইটি। সত্যি বলতে আমি মুগ্ধ। একজন মানুষ চাইলে কি না করতে পারে যদি তার মাঝে থাকে অফুরন্ত সাহস! তবে দিন শেষে টনি যখন অনুভব করেন যে কেনো করছেন তিনি এসব? কাঁড়ি কাঁড়ি টাকা, মোজ মাস্তি করা, মদ গেলা, কোকেন খাওয়া এটার জন্যই কি টনি গডফাদার হলো। নাকি অন্য কিছু! এই উপলব্ধিটা আমার বেশ লেগেছে। কিন্তু টনির মতো ছেলেরা কুঁকড়ে মরতে চায় না।
নামের সাথে টনি সত্যিই ভয়ার্ত ছিলো। চমৎকার।
নামের সাথে টনি সত্যিই ভয়ার্ত ছিলো। চমৎকার।
May 31, 2017
Published in 1930, the year of its author's untimely death (Armitage Trail was a pseudonym for Maurice Coons), Scarface was the inspiration for the (far better) 1932 Howard Hawks film of the same title, which starred Paul Muni. Somehow, this mediocre novel led to a fairly robust cinematic narrative that was then remade (well), by Brian De Palma, in 1983, with Al Pacino. Loosely based on the life of gangster Al Capone, Scarface is meant to be a ripped-from-the-headlines tale of greed and violence on the streets of prohibition-era Chicago. Instead, it reads as a dramatically inert, dreary and exposition-laden series of criminal activities by a man we are repeatedly told is both smart and capable, yet who behaves like an impulsive, unruly and self-destructive baboon. Which is it, Mr. Coons? Furthermore, although I could find nothing in my (granted, limited) reproach to support the following impression, the book feels as if it were published in serial form, since each chapter partially re-introduces characters with information we cannot possibly have forgotten from just a few pages ago. I grieve for Coons, who died of a heart attack at only 28, but this is not good writing.
May 27, 2020
In the book Scarface the main character Tony Guarino is a Cuban immigrant who comes to America with the “american dream with a vengeance.” Coming into the country as an immigrant he begins to be a busboy in a small truck in Miami with his companion. His companion arranged a meeting with someone in the drug world that wants them to do a transaction. They want them to go pick up weed from a dealer and bring it back to them for 500 dollars. Tony is very ambitious throughout the book and wont break his back for anyone.
Throughout the book he begins to climb this ladder of organized crime. Starting from the bottom and taking out those in his path. He brings to have a road to success because he is authentic unlike a lot of the others in this path of business.
This book shows the corruption in being in this line of work. Seeing the deaths caused by it and additionally the role the system plays in it. From corrupt cops to lawyers and bankers. It shows how society plays out the drug dealers to be the bad guys when everyone plays a role in it. If you like the book the godfather by mario puzo i think that you would enjoy this book.
December 3, 2020
First of all, if you are visiting this book because you enjoyed the iconic Al Pacino film you will be disappointed. The 1932 film probably resembles it more.
The book is set in the prohibition period following World War One but prior to World War 2 in Chicago with heavy influence drawn from the infamous deeds and characteristics of Al Capone.
It is a fast paced novel that starts as it means to go on landing you straight into the action of 1930s organised crime in the Windy City. It tells the story of Scarface rising from promising, intellectual and values-driven criminal to leading one of the most powerful crime families in the city.
Armitage Trail succeeds in developing the character from a confident but cold young killer into a shrewd but arrogant 'Boss' whose feelings of being indestructible later leads to his downfall in a true Shakespearean tragedy.
For a short book it balances well the development of characters and providing detail into the interactions of corrupt police, politicians and the organised criminals that are required for the success of the romanticised mafias of old.
It was an enjoyable read and not too time-consuming.
The book is set in the prohibition period following World War One but prior to World War 2 in Chicago with heavy influence drawn from the infamous deeds and characteristics of Al Capone.
It is a fast paced novel that starts as it means to go on landing you straight into the action of 1930s organised crime in the Windy City. It tells the story of Scarface rising from promising, intellectual and values-driven criminal to leading one of the most powerful crime families in the city.
Armitage Trail succeeds in developing the character from a confident but cold young killer into a shrewd but arrogant 'Boss' whose feelings of being indestructible later leads to his downfall in a true Shakespearean tragedy.
For a short book it balances well the development of characters and providing detail into the interactions of corrupt police, politicians and the organised criminals that are required for the success of the romanticised mafias of old.
It was an enjoyable read and not too time-consuming.
August 23, 2011
I read this book many years ago, but I remember clearly how it disappointed me. To this day it is one of the worst books I ever read.. the story would be interesting if the author had any style at all, but the whole narrative is just bland and has about the same verve and originality of a wikipedia entry, also, the author seems to be unable to use synonyms and therefore keeps using the same expression to describe the actions and attitude of the protagonist. Simply awful.
July 10, 2018
A fast paced book that is definitely gripping with timely dramatic events in the gang world, revolving around 'Tony' the main character. the author exploits the anti-hero sentiment with Tony, which would've been a new concept in storytelling during the 1920's era. I really enjoyed the book for it's context rather than the actual story-line.
January 6, 2021
One of the early hard-boiled crime novels that set the bar for all gangster novels that followed. One wonders what Maurice Coons, the man behind the Armitage Trail pen name, would have accomplished had he not drunk himself to death with the money he made selling the movie rights to the book.
January 4, 2014
Liked it. But not my subject.
Read
October 25, 2016Some of the old books are so much better than the new . Good quick read
October 22, 2019
Really interesting to see how different it is to the Pacino film. No Miami, no cocaine, just a good old fashioned Chicago gangster story. A fun, quick read.
April 30, 2020
This is the story that the the film was based around, not the cult classic film itself... Sri a decent read.
August 30, 2020
A 1930s book by Armitage Trail. It’s a novel based on American gang star Al Capone and his ups and downs of life as a mafia.
January 13, 2021
Iconic movie but of course the book is more involved
November 10, 2020
To begin, I have not seen the original Scarface (1932) movie so I can only compare the book Scarface (1930) to the remake Scarface (1983) with Al Pacino, especially since he features on the cover of my edition of the book.
Before reading this book I saw a couple of reviews stating that if you go in expecting to read Brian de Palma's Scarface (1983) you will be disappointed and I would have to agree. I love Scarface (1983) and while I did enjoy this novel, this movie adaptation is far superior to the book and in my opinion actually improves upon the storyline and concept.
Scarface (1930) is heavily influenced by gangster Al Capone and it focuses on Tony Guarino, a young hood determined to make a name for himself on the streets of Chicago during the Prohibition era. Whereas, Scarface (1983) is relocated to 1980s Miami, focusing on Cuban refugee Tony Montana as he pushes his way to the top becoming the cocaine kingpin.
Personally, I prefer the movie's version of Tony's origins as Tony's rise to the top is more fleshed out and gradual while in the book he rises through the ranks very quickly. (In the book's defense it is only 186 pages while the movie is nearly 3 hours long). In my opinion it seemed to quick to be genuine, especially considering that Tony is oddly against robbery and larceny viewing it as the lowest criminal act reserved for the lazy and scummy. I found this mindset odd since he was very willing to murder people for very minor reasons and these killings had little to no emotional or mental impact on him.
My major issue with this book was actually with the way it was written. However, when I discovered that this book was written in 1930 the writing style made slightly more sense. This book is very stereotypical of the gangster crime genre. Guns are called "gats", girls are called "dames", and no one ever says they were doing something, its always "they was at the club boss". All these things, for me anyway, immediately makes me think of men in pin striped suits and fedoras flipping coins, smoking cigarettes and flashing their tommy guns to the female assistant in the bank. Very cliché and very 1930s. While these stereotypes are not necessarily a bad thing, it was just a little humorous going from the extreme violence of Scarface (1983) to the why-i-outta vibe of Scarface (1930).
Another issue I had with the book was the plot twist regarding the gun girls. When it was revealed that Tony's girlfriend and gun girl had a sister who was a gun girl for his arch rival it was very anticlimactic and I found it very hard to believe that Jane would not have said something earlier since her sister could destroy Tony's entire empire and even cause his death.
Moreover, one minor detail that bothered me was the fact that when Tony kills his employer Levo's rival, Jerry Hoffman, his target conveniently doesn't have a bodyguard the night of the hit. I'm sorry, but absolutely no top dog in the criminal underworld would ever go anywhere without a bodyguard because of how dangerous and high risk their job is. I would have preferred if Hoffman did have a bodyguard for Tony to encounter to make it challenging as Tony kills Hoffman with ease and is out the door within 2 seconds.
Additionally, another difference between Scarface (1930) and Scarface (1983) was Tony himself. Not only is the surname changed (from Guarino to Montana) but I definitely liked Tony Montana better than Tony Guarino/Camonte. Both are stubborn, ambitious and extremely determined but Tony Montana is charismatic and likeable while Tony Guarino/Camonte was just rude, annoying and most importantly unlikeable. Whether this is due to the inclusion of Montana's cuban origins I am not sure but I definitely was rooting for Tony Montana's rise to the top more than Guarino's.
Overall, this is an ok book. I am assuming that Scarface (1932) is a more faithful adapation. Scarface (1983) is undeniably based on this book, with Tony's lowly origins, his determination to rise to the top, his ruthlessness and even his sister being involved with one of his fellow gangsters all appearing in the movie. But all in all, Scarface (1983) takes Trail's story and runs with it with Al Pacino delivering a stellar performance as Montana.
⭐⭐⭐
Before reading this book I saw a couple of reviews stating that if you go in expecting to read Brian de Palma's Scarface (1983) you will be disappointed and I would have to agree. I love Scarface (1983) and while I did enjoy this novel, this movie adaptation is far superior to the book and in my opinion actually improves upon the storyline and concept.
Scarface (1930) is heavily influenced by gangster Al Capone and it focuses on Tony Guarino, a young hood determined to make a name for himself on the streets of Chicago during the Prohibition era. Whereas, Scarface (1983) is relocated to 1980s Miami, focusing on Cuban refugee Tony Montana as he pushes his way to the top becoming the cocaine kingpin.
Personally, I prefer the movie's version of Tony's origins as Tony's rise to the top is more fleshed out and gradual while in the book he rises through the ranks very quickly. (In the book's defense it is only 186 pages while the movie is nearly 3 hours long). In my opinion it seemed to quick to be genuine, especially considering that Tony is oddly against robbery and larceny viewing it as the lowest criminal act reserved for the lazy and scummy. I found this mindset odd since he was very willing to murder people for very minor reasons and these killings had little to no emotional or mental impact on him.
My major issue with this book was actually with the way it was written. However, when I discovered that this book was written in 1930 the writing style made slightly more sense. This book is very stereotypical of the gangster crime genre. Guns are called "gats", girls are called "dames", and no one ever says they were doing something, its always "they was at the club boss". All these things, for me anyway, immediately makes me think of men in pin striped suits and fedoras flipping coins, smoking cigarettes and flashing their tommy guns to the female assistant in the bank. Very cliché and very 1930s. While these stereotypes are not necessarily a bad thing, it was just a little humorous going from the extreme violence of Scarface (1983) to the why-i-outta vibe of Scarface (1930).
Another issue I had with the book was the plot twist regarding the gun girls. When it was revealed that Tony's girlfriend and gun girl had a sister who was a gun girl for his arch rival it was very anticlimactic and I found it very hard to believe that Jane would not have said something earlier since her sister could destroy Tony's entire empire and even cause his death.
Moreover, one minor detail that bothered me was the fact that when Tony kills his employer Levo's rival, Jerry Hoffman, his target conveniently doesn't have a bodyguard the night of the hit. I'm sorry, but absolutely no top dog in the criminal underworld would ever go anywhere without a bodyguard because of how dangerous and high risk their job is. I would have preferred if Hoffman did have a bodyguard for Tony to encounter to make it challenging as Tony kills Hoffman with ease and is out the door within 2 seconds.
Additionally, another difference between Scarface (1930) and Scarface (1983) was Tony himself. Not only is the surname changed (from Guarino to Montana) but I definitely liked Tony Montana better than Tony Guarino/Camonte. Both are stubborn, ambitious and extremely determined but Tony Montana is charismatic and likeable while Tony Guarino/Camonte was just rude, annoying and most importantly unlikeable. Whether this is due to the inclusion of Montana's cuban origins I am not sure but I definitely was rooting for Tony Montana's rise to the top more than Guarino's.
Overall, this is an ok book. I am assuming that Scarface (1932) is a more faithful adapation. Scarface (1983) is undeniably based on this book, with Tony's lowly origins, his determination to rise to the top, his ruthlessness and even his sister being involved with one of his fellow gangsters all appearing in the movie. But all in all, Scarface (1983) takes Trail's story and runs with it with Al Pacino delivering a stellar performance as Montana.
⭐⭐⭐
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2021
• CAPITOLUL 1 •
Tony Guarino, sortit a deveni cel mai mare dintre toţi faimoşii gangsteri ai Americii, avea optsprezece ani când a comis prima lui crimă mai însemnată. Şi cauza – putea fi oare altfel – fu o femeie.
Dar ce femeie! Tony o văzuse prima dată trecând pe aleea care ducea spre poarta de fier a intrării actorilor în teatru. Era înaltă, blond-roşcată, cu tenul delicat şi cu graţioase picioare lungi. De atunci venise deseori la teatru şi din fotoliul pe care-l reţinea, admira neîncetat aceste picioare, în timp ce ea îşi executa numărul de dans. Şi regulat, vederea acestor picioare îl făcea să nu mai ştie pe ce lume trăieşte.
În seara aceea, spectacolul se terminase. Lumea plecase. Intrarea artiştilor se deschise brusc, scăldând aleea cu o lumină gălbuie şi, din întunericul nopţii se iviră mai mulţi bărbaţi şi câţiva tineri cam trecuţi, care aşteptau ca lupii la pândă prada lor de noapte…
Apoi uşa se închise cu un zgomot surd, cufundând aleea din nou în beznă şi o fată se strecură repede prin mulţime, fără să se preocupe de mâinile care încercau sa o oprească sau de vocile răguşite care-i făceau propuneri îndrăzneţe.
Ea era! Doar Vivian Lovejoy întrebuinţa acest parfum greu, senzual. Tony porni după ea, spre luminile şi zgomotul străzii, Vivian se opri la marginea trotuarului, o siluetă subţire şi delicată, înţr-un taior prea încărcat, de culoare verde, cu fusta prea scurtă şi prea strâmtă şi cu braţele şi pieptul acoperite de bijuterii false. Bărbaţii cu o oarecare experienţă ar fi descoperit în ea pe cocota ordinară, dar pentru Tony era minunată, un obiect demn de adoraţie.
Se apropie de Vivian şi îşi scoase şapca. Acest gest era unul dintre puţinele lucruri pe care le învăţase din filme, cinematograful fiind de altfel singurul profesor de bune maniere pe care Tony îl avusese vreodată.
— Bună seara, Miss Lovejoy!
Ea îşi întoarse faţa spre Tony Dar tânărul nu-şi dădu seama că tenul îi era tot atât de fals ca şi bijuteriile, nu vedea ravagiile făcute de viaţa dezordonată, ascunse sub fard şi pudră; nu observa pronunţatele cute, de ambele părţi ale lacomei guri.
Il privi cu dispreţ şi un fulger batjocoritor trecu prin ochii ei verzui.
— Dumneata! spuse ea. Iarăşi?
— Tot eu! răspunse Tony râzând, socotindu-şi vorbole drept o glumă ce trebuie gustată din plin. Şi voi fi aici prezent, în fiecare seară, până ce vei binevoi să-mi dai o întâlnire.
Fata râse scurt, ascuţit, fără veselie.
— Dar ştiu că eşti îndrăzneţ, piciule! Zise ea, ca şi când s-ar fi adresat unui numeros auditoriu. Dar ochii el reci şi verzui priveau drept în cei ai lui Tony. Un copilaş care n-are nici măcar automobil vrea să-mi dea mie întâlnire! Spune, copile, n-ai auzit do prietenul meu?
— Nu şi nici nu vreau să aud! replică el. Eu o să fiu prietenul tău.
— Ei bine, află că-i Al Spingola!
Un fior rece îl străbătu pe tânăr. Al Spingola era unul dintre cei mai de seamă gangsteri ai oraşului, un bandit necruţător, cu venituri mari şi o bandă de derbedei care îi erau credincioşi, deoarece se temeau de el şi, în plus, erau şi bine plătiţi. Spingola om un om, al cărui deget nu ezita niciodată pe trăgaci, iar glonţul se împiedica totdeauna de cineva. Pe scurt, un om de-a dreptul primejdios.
Tony Guarino, sortit a deveni cel mai mare dintre toţi faimoşii gangsteri ai Americii, avea optsprezece ani când a comis prima lui crimă mai însemnată. Şi cauza – putea fi oare altfel – fu o femeie.
Dar ce femeie! Tony o văzuse prima dată trecând pe aleea care ducea spre poarta de fier a intrării actorilor în teatru. Era înaltă, blond-roşcată, cu tenul delicat şi cu graţioase picioare lungi. De atunci venise deseori la teatru şi din fotoliul pe care-l reţinea, admira neîncetat aceste picioare, în timp ce ea îşi executa numărul de dans. Şi regulat, vederea acestor picioare îl făcea să nu mai ştie pe ce lume trăieşte.
În seara aceea, spectacolul se terminase. Lumea plecase. Intrarea artiştilor se deschise brusc, scăldând aleea cu o lumină gălbuie şi, din întunericul nopţii se iviră mai mulţi bărbaţi şi câţiva tineri cam trecuţi, care aşteptau ca lupii la pândă prada lor de noapte…
Apoi uşa se închise cu un zgomot surd, cufundând aleea din nou în beznă şi o fată se strecură repede prin mulţime, fără să se preocupe de mâinile care încercau sa o oprească sau de vocile răguşite care-i făceau propuneri îndrăzneţe.
Ea era! Doar Vivian Lovejoy întrebuinţa acest parfum greu, senzual. Tony porni după ea, spre luminile şi zgomotul străzii, Vivian se opri la marginea trotuarului, o siluetă subţire şi delicată, înţr-un taior prea încărcat, de culoare verde, cu fusta prea scurtă şi prea strâmtă şi cu braţele şi pieptul acoperite de bijuterii false. Bărbaţii cu o oarecare experienţă ar fi descoperit în ea pe cocota ordinară, dar pentru Tony era minunată, un obiect demn de adoraţie.
Se apropie de Vivian şi îşi scoase şapca. Acest gest era unul dintre puţinele lucruri pe care le învăţase din filme, cinematograful fiind de altfel singurul profesor de bune maniere pe care Tony îl avusese vreodată.
— Bună seara, Miss Lovejoy!
Ea îşi întoarse faţa spre Tony Dar tânărul nu-şi dădu seama că tenul îi era tot atât de fals ca şi bijuteriile, nu vedea ravagiile făcute de viaţa dezordonată, ascunse sub fard şi pudră; nu observa pronunţatele cute, de ambele părţi ale lacomei guri.
Il privi cu dispreţ şi un fulger batjocoritor trecu prin ochii ei verzui.
— Dumneata! spuse ea. Iarăşi?
— Tot eu! răspunse Tony râzând, socotindu-şi vorbole drept o glumă ce trebuie gustată din plin. Şi voi fi aici prezent, în fiecare seară, până ce vei binevoi să-mi dai o întâlnire.
Fata râse scurt, ascuţit, fără veselie.
— Dar ştiu că eşti îndrăzneţ, piciule! Zise ea, ca şi când s-ar fi adresat unui numeros auditoriu. Dar ochii el reci şi verzui priveau drept în cei ai lui Tony. Un copilaş care n-are nici măcar automobil vrea să-mi dea mie întâlnire! Spune, copile, n-ai auzit do prietenul meu?
— Nu şi nici nu vreau să aud! replică el. Eu o să fiu prietenul tău.
— Ei bine, află că-i Al Spingola!
Un fior rece îl străbătu pe tânăr. Al Spingola era unul dintre cei mai de seamă gangsteri ai oraşului, un bandit necruţător, cu venituri mari şi o bandă de derbedei care îi erau credincioşi, deoarece se temeau de el şi, în plus, erau şi bine plătiţi. Spingola om un om, al cărui deget nu ezita niciodată pe trăgaci, iar glonţul se împiedica totdeauna de cineva. Pe scurt, un om de-a dreptul primejdios.
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