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Jukebox: A thrilling crime satire
"A great amount has been done in literature over the years but every now and then someone comes along and shows us a completely different approach to the ancient art of the scribe . So hail Saira Viola and discover her twisted and beautiful imagination. Literature needs Saira Viola . Her writing is sharp direct and gripping. The latest research shows there is no one like her." Benjamin Zephaniah 'Jukebox is a dirty, delinquent satire with plenty of scabrous humour, but it also holds up a mirror to a society obsessed with the wrong kind of celebrity. If you can get into its rhythm, Jukebox is a compelling crime caper. " Crime Fiction Lover "Jukebox is a witty riotous story populated by larger-than-life characters in EC1" The Clerkenwell Post "A fresh faced voice to herald in the apocalypse .Posers beware .This is the real deal." Jonathan Shaw "Injecting musical prose into a dying genre and one sorely needing a shot in the arm .What Viola has proven is the great novel is not incompatible with virtuosic poetics." James Browning Kepple "I enjoyed this piece's in-your-face quality." Robin Wyatt Dunn "Guy Ritchie meets Martin Amis.......stunning." Betsy Reavley A rookie lawyer, crime mogul and junior reporter all converge in London's underworld of glamour, crime and greed. Set in a city rocked by corruption and tabloid excess, one of them is going to learn that sometimes in life you get more than you bargained for
Jukebox is Saira Viola's brilliant full length debut novel.
Jukebox is Saira Viola's brilliant full length debut novel.
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 11, 2015
10 people are currently reading
378 people want to read
About the author
Saira Viola
13 books42 followersI am a fiction writer , poet , creator of sonic scatterscript and song lyricist .
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 6, 2015
Dark , brilliant , uncompromisingly real but exquisitely written .The book has it all : love , drama , intrigue and a raw vicious exploration of society . It throws British life under the spotlight but it could be anywhere . You'll laugh , you'll cry and be sickened and mesmerised .
April 17, 2015
Benjamin Zephaniah one of the greatest writers of all time describes Viola's imagination as "beautiful and twisted" and that her work is "powerful and gripping" ,I agree but for me what makes this book really special is the clever fusion of wit and wickedness that drives the narrative. The whole book has an anarchic quality that captures the spirit of contemporary society and reveals the cruelty , comedy and corruption of modern England
March 6, 2015
When I began reading “Jukebox,” I thought it would be a run of the mill crime thriller novel. Little known author Saira Viola, however is no run of the mill writer and proved me wrong. By the end of the first chapter, I was humming “Kodachrome” by Paul Simon. Not because there had been a reference to the song, although there are plenty of references to familiar pop tunes, but rather, author Viola’s writing was so colorful, so descriptive, and so refreshing like “Kodachrome – They give us those nice bright colors.”
The story puts several characters at crossroads leading the reader down new paths, new discoveries of self. (At least the case with me.)
The novel is about, greed, racism, gender identity, family, deceit, following dreams, darkness, good and evil and the conflict that lies within each of us. The writer does a wonderful job weaving the lives of powerful men together through both dialogue and action, and addresses the ageless issue of a woman’s place in a man’s world. Altruism, selfishness, belief systems embedded in society, are all subjects Viola uses to a greater or lesser extent to depict the flaws of our modern society, and although the setting is London, the theme is universal.
Viola’s “Jukebox” is a masterpiece, a bold, refreshing literary work that will have you burning the midnight oil long after you finish the book examining your owner inner self.
The story puts several characters at crossroads leading the reader down new paths, new discoveries of self. (At least the case with me.)
The novel is about, greed, racism, gender identity, family, deceit, following dreams, darkness, good and evil and the conflict that lies within each of us. The writer does a wonderful job weaving the lives of powerful men together through both dialogue and action, and addresses the ageless issue of a woman’s place in a man’s world. Altruism, selfishness, belief systems embedded in society, are all subjects Viola uses to a greater or lesser extent to depict the flaws of our modern society, and although the setting is London, the theme is universal.
Viola’s “Jukebox” is a masterpiece, a bold, refreshing literary work that will have you burning the midnight oil long after you finish the book examining your owner inner self.
March 6, 2015
If writing is a true art form, Sara Viola is definitely an artist. She does a excellent job painting a picture of London's society in some of the seediest, darkest lives that meander through the streets, the pubs, the restaurants, and she does it with alluding to songs and films in a way that validates both Viola's knowledge of pop culture and her ability to effectively use that knowledge as part of her palette to paint a picture with words.
As a reader not familiar with the London's urban dialect, Viola's use of language had me walking among the Brits in short order.
Most amazing was her use of sarcasm and comedy sometimes subtly while other times, not so. It wasn't until the end I realized that Viola's work was not only a jeremiad against all the “isms” of society but also the “norms” of modern society which of course induce us to form our “isms.”
As a reader not familiar with the London's urban dialect, Viola's use of language had me walking among the Brits in short order.
Most amazing was her use of sarcasm and comedy sometimes subtly while other times, not so. It wasn't until the end I realized that Viola's work was not only a jeremiad against all the “isms” of society but also the “norms” of modern society which of course induce us to form our “isms.”
April 18, 2015
JUKEBOX/SAIRA VIOLA
Undeniable Masterpiece.
"The world is a hellish place, and bad writing is destroying the quality of our suffering." --Tom Waits
This is most assuredly not the case when you enter the world of Saira Viola's JUKEBOX.
Viola skewers the lofty hypocrisy and corruption of the so-called elite, the shallowness of 21st century celebrity culture, as well as the system which can destroy an individual with an arbitrary bang of the gavel. The trick she flawlessly pulls off is that she does so with such vivid language and such pyrotechnic flair that it is nothing short of a revelation. These themes aren't particularly new, but the manner in which the author weaves them through her gritty gangster opus is uniquely fresh and completely enthralling.
JUKEBOX pulls you in from the start and keeps you spellbound with intriguing characters so rich and colourfully descript they come alive in the mind's eye. Automatically you find yourself pulling and rooting for these people as they make their way through mazes of personal conflict, enjoy moments of triumph, or agonize through soul crushing compromise. Viola paints her characters with such a finely tuned brush they often elicit a palpable emotional response. In the case of some of the less savory figures that inhabit the world she creates I often found myself literally disgusted by these individuals. The interplay between these divergent characters is both a satisfying intellectual experience as well as a visceral one. On top of that this author wields a razor-sharp, sardonic wit. Biting humour is laced through-out her work.
The way Viola seamlessly transitions between story lines and settings felt like an ultra-slick, action-packed-thriller of a film was unfolding before my eyes. Fast paced, unflinching and a pleasure to behold.
This book is so well crafted, the way the language flows, it is in a way intimidating. Not in such a way that it is difficult to read, quite the opposite; it's intimidating in the manner that a rare, brilliant piece of music can be the first time you hear it and it devastates your senses and you're froze in amazement and left wondering how in the world does a person come up with such awe inspiring work? Like when you're in just the right state of mind and just the right mood and you hear Jimi Hendrix do his thing and you get it and it gets you.
It begs the question; where did this beautiful freak-of-nature come from?
Undeniable Masterpiece.
"The world is a hellish place, and bad writing is destroying the quality of our suffering." --Tom Waits
This is most assuredly not the case when you enter the world of Saira Viola's JUKEBOX.
Viola skewers the lofty hypocrisy and corruption of the so-called elite, the shallowness of 21st century celebrity culture, as well as the system which can destroy an individual with an arbitrary bang of the gavel. The trick she flawlessly pulls off is that she does so with such vivid language and such pyrotechnic flair that it is nothing short of a revelation. These themes aren't particularly new, but the manner in which the author weaves them through her gritty gangster opus is uniquely fresh and completely enthralling.
JUKEBOX pulls you in from the start and keeps you spellbound with intriguing characters so rich and colourfully descript they come alive in the mind's eye. Automatically you find yourself pulling and rooting for these people as they make their way through mazes of personal conflict, enjoy moments of triumph, or agonize through soul crushing compromise. Viola paints her characters with such a finely tuned brush they often elicit a palpable emotional response. In the case of some of the less savory figures that inhabit the world she creates I often found myself literally disgusted by these individuals. The interplay between these divergent characters is both a satisfying intellectual experience as well as a visceral one. On top of that this author wields a razor-sharp, sardonic wit. Biting humour is laced through-out her work.
The way Viola seamlessly transitions between story lines and settings felt like an ultra-slick, action-packed-thriller of a film was unfolding before my eyes. Fast paced, unflinching and a pleasure to behold.
This book is so well crafted, the way the language flows, it is in a way intimidating. Not in such a way that it is difficult to read, quite the opposite; it's intimidating in the manner that a rare, brilliant piece of music can be the first time you hear it and it devastates your senses and you're froze in amazement and left wondering how in the world does a person come up with such awe inspiring work? Like when you're in just the right state of mind and just the right mood and you hear Jimi Hendrix do his thing and you get it and it gets you.
It begs the question; where did this beautiful freak-of-nature come from?
April 18, 2015
A Dickensian novel unlike any other I've read this year . Viola expertly blends satirical mobsters with the heave and hiss of Legal London . The theatrical attention to character detail is exemplary : but we are also given an ugly reminder of the superficiality of modern values as the various subplots seek to undermine contemporary society . This is a London far removed from one we may be used to a Dickensian London that peddles porn prostitution new age politics and the threat of bigotry and fear in a terrorist society . What makes it work is Viola's unflinching honesty and humorous depiction of life on the wrong side of law . But as Viola asks : "Can we fight crime with crime ?"
April 18, 2015
Viola writes in short lyrical sentences and packs a punch with meaning and substance . It looks really simple but there's clearly an art to it :
"He was a white black man with black credibility and a luxuriously indulgent white lifestyle ."
Or "All the class criminarti are in Clerkenwell."
The book is about a London gangster Mel who draws a young lawyer to his fold Nick and how Nick succumbs to the lure of power and money . On the way he falls for an ambitious journalist Avery and the book covers topics as diverse as racism, sexuality spirituality , class warfare and the loss of human morality . It's the way it's written that doesn't make it sound like a sermon it's pop culture and crime together . Fresh and inventive but it works .
"He was a white black man with black credibility and a luxuriously indulgent white lifestyle ."
Or "All the class criminarti are in Clerkenwell."
The book is about a London gangster Mel who draws a young lawyer to his fold Nick and how Nick succumbs to the lure of power and money . On the way he falls for an ambitious journalist Avery and the book covers topics as diverse as racism, sexuality spirituality , class warfare and the loss of human morality . It's the way it's written that doesn't make it sound like a sermon it's pop culture and crime together . Fresh and inventive but it works .
May 1, 2015
Blunt and brutal crime story . Original and inventive use of language offering a bleak , violent and often controversial picture of life in the heart of London . A cultural overview of modern society it is also immensely funny in the detailed descriptions of people and places . Particularly to be admired is the smart dialogue , fast pace and action sequences
May 19, 2015
Take A Walk On The Wild Side
When I was a young man I read Mickey Spillane. The grotesque characters and the innocent abroad in this story were pulled from the same stock. The language was rich and straight from the streets. The situations were absurd at times and yet totally believable. Sprinkled throughout were references to real people and real events. Chapter headings that triggered memories of songs of yesteryear. The subtle hints of humour were juxtaposed against the harsh tones of violence. What was there not to like, bubbeleh? The ending came too soon!
When I was a young man I read Mickey Spillane. The grotesque characters and the innocent abroad in this story were pulled from the same stock. The language was rich and straight from the streets. The situations were absurd at times and yet totally believable. Sprinkled throughout were references to real people and real events. Chapter headings that triggered memories of songs of yesteryear. The subtle hints of humour were juxtaposed against the harsh tones of violence. What was there not to like, bubbeleh? The ending came too soon!
May 30, 2015
Jukebox is a wild read from its marvelously profane start to its enjoyably unexpected finish - an absolute knockout. Has someone coined a term yet for what happens when hard-boiled pulp fiction meets pop culture? The hallmarks of the great crime novel are here - the detective, the mobster, the savvy reporter, the untrustworthy love interest, etc. Yet, pop culture peppers the action and revamps the genre into a truly enjoyable experience. I found myself turning to my boyfriend at 1AM in bed: “Ha, the cat is named after an Elton John song” and later, “Wait, is that a movie reference?” The novel American Psycho is mentioned several times too, just in case you weren’t convinced by the first page that this was satire. Dialogue heavily drives this novel in the same way that some great songs are commanded by lyrics. One standout chapter for me featured BCM’s inner discourse which I had to read twice; it is rough and graceful - urban poetry.
Saira Viola may have pulled off an interesting feat here: Crime noir is dark and while I love dark and twisty, it is usually too cynical - the grime sticks to you. However, Jukebox isn’t bitter - it is raw but also contemporary high concept. Imagine an orchestra in revolution or the literary love child of Hunter S. Thompson and Michael Ondaatje — that might give you a feel for how Saira is able to pull off a gritty criminal plot with social commentary grace. Any complaints? I wasn’t expecting to love the supporting cast of Matt and BCM so much! I will definitely read Jukebox again to see if I missed any of the subtle references which made this so much fun. Highly recommend - 5 stars!
Saira Viola may have pulled off an interesting feat here: Crime noir is dark and while I love dark and twisty, it is usually too cynical - the grime sticks to you. However, Jukebox isn’t bitter - it is raw but also contemporary high concept. Imagine an orchestra in revolution or the literary love child of Hunter S. Thompson and Michael Ondaatje — that might give you a feel for how Saira is able to pull off a gritty criminal plot with social commentary grace. Any complaints? I wasn’t expecting to love the supporting cast of Matt and BCM so much! I will definitely read Jukebox again to see if I missed any of the subtle references which made this so much fun. Highly recommend - 5 stars!
May 26, 2015
I picked this up knowing some of the author's previous work and it is certainly not for the faint hearted . As a drama student living and working in the big smoke I enjoyed the animated descriptions of people and places . Here is a book that really puts celebrity life under the microscope and questions the immorality of human existence using comedy and black humor. It is beautifully written with characters you truly care about . Unlike other crime fiction the levity of the writing brings a note of freshness and social commentary to the work and I really enjoyed it .
March 15, 2015
Jukebox is a mash-up of two very tried and tested genres: a reinterpretation of the classic Faustian pact and British gang culture. The protagonist Nick is a man in his twenties on the cusp of becoming a fully-fledged lawyer, but dissatisfied with his life. He is at a crossroads in his career path and yearns to create his own music label. He therefore makes a pact with the devil in the form of Mel, a Jewish crime mogul who has multiple income streams from drugs, prostitution, Ponzi schemes and cybercrime. Mel himself is a great antagonist, part Ronnie Kray and part Mephistopheles. No Faustian pact would be complete without an innocent girl, who comes in the form of Avery, an aspiring tabloid reporter, who we learn is no angel in her pursuit to crack the scoop of her career.
Viola is clearly familiar with both London geography and street vernacular as we navigate the many levels of the ‘Layer Cake’. This is the sullied underbelly of London exposed for all to see, with the hedonistic pursuits of the high rollers, interspersed with local slang, pop references and drug jargon. There are some strong supporting characters in the form of Matt and BCM (I will leave it up to new readers to learn his name) who despite their own flaws, are figures of temperance who try to rescue Nick and preserve his moral integrity before he becomes irrevocably corrupted and turns to the ill-gained power and success that the underworld brings with it. As the story progresses, we are also introduced to Ryan, another metaphorical saviour who does his utmost to protect both Nick and Avery from the shadows.
There is one element in this story of crossroads, however, that strikes me most and that can be best summed up by saying you should “Take a walk on the wild side” Why would I put an excerpt from the seminal song of the same name by Lou Reed into my review you might ask? The song directly names some of Warhol’s superstars who were all regular visitors to his infamous ‘Factory’ and it references transvestites toting for business. It is perhaps, Mimi, a pre-operative transvestite and minor character, who holds the key. She is torn between her love for Mel and desire to be free from his grasp. Mel, on the other hand, loves her deeply, but is at the same time repulsed by his forbidden desires, firstly as a crime syndicate leader and secondly as a devout religious man.
I really wouldn’t like to give much more away, but would thoroughly recommend that you give this book a go.
Viola is clearly familiar with both London geography and street vernacular as we navigate the many levels of the ‘Layer Cake’. This is the sullied underbelly of London exposed for all to see, with the hedonistic pursuits of the high rollers, interspersed with local slang, pop references and drug jargon. There are some strong supporting characters in the form of Matt and BCM (I will leave it up to new readers to learn his name) who despite their own flaws, are figures of temperance who try to rescue Nick and preserve his moral integrity before he becomes irrevocably corrupted and turns to the ill-gained power and success that the underworld brings with it. As the story progresses, we are also introduced to Ryan, another metaphorical saviour who does his utmost to protect both Nick and Avery from the shadows.
There is one element in this story of crossroads, however, that strikes me most and that can be best summed up by saying you should “Take a walk on the wild side” Why would I put an excerpt from the seminal song of the same name by Lou Reed into my review you might ask? The song directly names some of Warhol’s superstars who were all regular visitors to his infamous ‘Factory’ and it references transvestites toting for business. It is perhaps, Mimi, a pre-operative transvestite and minor character, who holds the key. She is torn between her love for Mel and desire to be free from his grasp. Mel, on the other hand, loves her deeply, but is at the same time repulsed by his forbidden desires, firstly as a crime syndicate leader and secondly as a devout religious man.
I really wouldn’t like to give much more away, but would thoroughly recommend that you give this book a go.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2015
Fast-paced satirical crime thriller.
Straight from the land of tea and crumpets and with crunchy, punchy—point, counterpoint stylized English prose Author Saira Viola takes you on a deliciously seedy journey into the world of London’s underbelly.
From its outrageously profane opening this story grabs you by the neck and it doesn’t let go. Peppered with pop-culture references and a gallery of characters you will not soon forget (hey Mimi—call me darling) the story moves along to the beat of a too-cool-for-school soundtrack hence the tittle of the book, and I do concur with the jab at Simon Cowell; that punter destroyed the musical landscape with his shameless promotion of banal pop, and also kudos for the uppercut at certain celebs who became ‘stars’ just by doing a triple xxx feature. There’s also a stab at the Rolling Stones for stealing the blues and making a living at it for almost a century.
This is cool and dangerous Britannia, buddy, strap-on for a hell of a ride as this book has all the hallmarks of a great read: Grit, wit and style to burn.
So, what you waiting for lad? Grab a cuppa and go read Jukebox.
Straight from the land of tea and crumpets and with crunchy, punchy—point, counterpoint stylized English prose Author Saira Viola takes you on a deliciously seedy journey into the world of London’s underbelly.
From its outrageously profane opening this story grabs you by the neck and it doesn’t let go. Peppered with pop-culture references and a gallery of characters you will not soon forget (hey Mimi—call me darling) the story moves along to the beat of a too-cool-for-school soundtrack hence the tittle of the book, and I do concur with the jab at Simon Cowell; that punter destroyed the musical landscape with his shameless promotion of banal pop, and also kudos for the uppercut at certain celebs who became ‘stars’ just by doing a triple xxx feature. There’s also a stab at the Rolling Stones for stealing the blues and making a living at it for almost a century.
This is cool and dangerous Britannia, buddy, strap-on for a hell of a ride as this book has all the hallmarks of a great read: Grit, wit and style to burn.
So, what you waiting for lad? Grab a cuppa and go read Jukebox.
August 1, 2015
Jukebox, Saira Viola's first full-length novel, is a fast-paced, gritty & witty (broken) window on the shady world of gangsters & hustlers in the seedy underworld of London.
If you imagine a Guy Ritchie film populated with an extra concoction of larger-than-life crazy characters of the night (but with the usual mix of gangland hoodlums) you're already halfway there!
We follow a brave young female reporter, desperate to make a name for herself, as she embarks on a dangerous mission to expose something big that's going down in the capital - something that could even ultimately cost her her sanity... & her life.
All this is set against a hyperreal backdrop of the seamier side of London life - the book is powered with a knowing grittiness & appreciation for what makes the characters she wishes to expose tick, & it seems that Saira has clearly led a very interesting life!
I loved all the London references too that I recognized (being that I come from around that part of the world), including a pub I've visited on occasion (The Flask in Highgate), & the all the colourful locations around Clerkenwell. I also liked how every chapter was named after a famous song - hence the 'Jukebox' of the title, & Saira pulls some very interesting & inspired ones out of the hat to punctuate the action.
This is a well-written & unusual book that's well worth checking out if you like a story that pulls no punches, doesn't shirk on realism & has eccentric characters & twists at every turn of the page.
There's certainly lots to enjoy - so put your money in the Jukebox & turn it up, for a highly-original reading experience that's destined for the top of the charts!
If you imagine a Guy Ritchie film populated with an extra concoction of larger-than-life crazy characters of the night (but with the usual mix of gangland hoodlums) you're already halfway there!
We follow a brave young female reporter, desperate to make a name for herself, as she embarks on a dangerous mission to expose something big that's going down in the capital - something that could even ultimately cost her her sanity... & her life.
All this is set against a hyperreal backdrop of the seamier side of London life - the book is powered with a knowing grittiness & appreciation for what makes the characters she wishes to expose tick, & it seems that Saira has clearly led a very interesting life!
I loved all the London references too that I recognized (being that I come from around that part of the world), including a pub I've visited on occasion (The Flask in Highgate), & the all the colourful locations around Clerkenwell. I also liked how every chapter was named after a famous song - hence the 'Jukebox' of the title, & Saira pulls some very interesting & inspired ones out of the hat to punctuate the action.
This is a well-written & unusual book that's well worth checking out if you like a story that pulls no punches, doesn't shirk on realism & has eccentric characters & twists at every turn of the page.
There's certainly lots to enjoy - so put your money in the Jukebox & turn it up, for a highly-original reading experience that's destined for the top of the charts!
June 9, 2015
A fabulous new writer!
Very visual, from the outset it felt like I had been grabbed by the throat – hard. As a film buff, it would be great to see this on the big screen.
The narrative was excellent with great use of appropriate language. The dialogue was pitched exactly right. I especially loved the chapter headings and references to music, and was in admiration of the metaphors and attention to detail.
At the start the antagonist’s violent speech was a promise of things to come, and the author delivered. Then we’re introduced to the protagonist, frustration-inducing Nick, who loves his mother/parents enough to quash his dreams in order to make a living as a lawyer. Dark, fast paced, with memorable three-dimensional, believable characters that you quickly connect with and then care about – my favourites were loyal Matt and Mimi. Jukebox was enjoyable, filled with action, locations and atmosphere. With fewer typos, here is a five star read. Therefore this novel is recommended unreservedly to anyone who likes to lose themselves in a plot that pulls them in, and keeps them there until the very last line. Knowing who makes it through to the end is an absolute must. This is my first book by this very talented writer who knows her stuff, and without a doubt will not be my last.
Very visual, from the outset it felt like I had been grabbed by the throat – hard. As a film buff, it would be great to see this on the big screen.
The narrative was excellent with great use of appropriate language. The dialogue was pitched exactly right. I especially loved the chapter headings and references to music, and was in admiration of the metaphors and attention to detail.
At the start the antagonist’s violent speech was a promise of things to come, and the author delivered. Then we’re introduced to the protagonist, frustration-inducing Nick, who loves his mother/parents enough to quash his dreams in order to make a living as a lawyer. Dark, fast paced, with memorable three-dimensional, believable characters that you quickly connect with and then care about – my favourites were loyal Matt and Mimi. Jukebox was enjoyable, filled with action, locations and atmosphere. With fewer typos, here is a five star read. Therefore this novel is recommended unreservedly to anyone who likes to lose themselves in a plot that pulls them in, and keeps them there until the very last line. Knowing who makes it through to the end is an absolute must. This is my first book by this very talented writer who knows her stuff, and without a doubt will not be my last.
June 11, 2015
Jukebox is a modern novel, filled with realistic social and cultural interactions, insightful personal stories, and conveniently placed comic relief. I really enjoyed the way in which the author wove together such a wide variety of relevant themes together into a coherent story. All in all this was jointly poignant and entertaining story, which held my attention and challenged me to think while reading and I wholeheartedly recommend giving this a read.
October 2, 2015
The manner in which Viola weaves language is nothing short of stunning. Often with sparkle and shine with equal parts grit and grime. Akin to a great Jazz drummer she hits like candy coated fireworks going off in an ominous dark alley. Full of sugary pop and glitz, but always with depth and sneering sardonic wit. Subtext abounds as Viola dissects the seedy upper crust and their efforts to manipulate all the chess pieces in their favor. Jukebox contains something new, something fresh and an artist emerging as a special, modern talent not to be missed.
October 2, 2015
Exceptional : This novel shoots on all fronts . Beautiful language , vibrant descriptions of a London mobster and layers and layers of sub plots and cadenced poetic discourse all meshed together in one surreal crime satire .Exciting illuminating and unique
October 3, 2015
A poem of a novel . I've never read a crime novel like it . London comes under the spotlight in this fast paced, freewheeling soul spinning British satire . Marvellous characters, smart strong dialogue and a crisp tight storyline . Worth every single star. Impressed.
October 6, 2015
A great book for crime lovers, surrealists and post modern fiction enthusiasts .
Unique and brilliantly told 5 stars.
Unique and brilliantly told 5 stars.
November 19, 2015
Fast paced… an astonishingly good British satire!
It’s been a long time since I picked up a book and was knocked off balance by a writer who is so talented that she takes your breath away. In the first few opening lines Viola punches you in the face with her unabashed and swaggering prose; this is a writer who is so fresh she feels like an adrenaline injection.
There is something exciting about her writing style, direct, fast and street style sassy! Jukebox gripped me from the very beginning; I loved every minute of reading about these people who in turn sicken me with their vile behaviours yet still manage to engage my imagination and delight me with voyeuristic pleasure.
The attention to detail is stunning; she has succeeded in making her all of her characters ridiculous yet real at the same time. The accuracy is not only with the way she dresses and describes them; it is present in their diction and turn of phrase.
Benjamin Zephaniah describes her as having a beautiful and twisted imagination; she is also a proficient story teller and like Zephaniah her writing is gritty, realistic and unafraid.
Now and again fiction comes along that is not just a book; it’s a text, a little piece of history reflecting the society from which it was produced. Jukebox is about a city of players from all walks of life, self-obsessed, greedy and manipulative, a satirical viewpoint of our own selfish, social media obsessed society.
I can remember the first time I read Toni Morrison and Arundhati Roy, that feeling that you are in the presence of genius, a writer who is magnificently gifted and no matter how hard you tried you would never even come close to being able to write like this. I already know this is a book I will return to and read again.
Ultimately Viola has created a satire that is so bloody British you expect Vinnie Jones to appear in the pages, if it were a film it would be directed by Guy Ritchie and would be set to a John Murphy soundtrack.
Expect to hear good things about Saira Viola; Jukebox is a work that will be talked about, a contender for the Booker… Absolutely! Although I suspect with Saira Viola the best is yet to come.
It’s been a long time since I picked up a book and was knocked off balance by a writer who is so talented that she takes your breath away. In the first few opening lines Viola punches you in the face with her unabashed and swaggering prose; this is a writer who is so fresh she feels like an adrenaline injection.
There is something exciting about her writing style, direct, fast and street style sassy! Jukebox gripped me from the very beginning; I loved every minute of reading about these people who in turn sicken me with their vile behaviours yet still manage to engage my imagination and delight me with voyeuristic pleasure.
The attention to detail is stunning; she has succeeded in making her all of her characters ridiculous yet real at the same time. The accuracy is not only with the way she dresses and describes them; it is present in their diction and turn of phrase.
Benjamin Zephaniah describes her as having a beautiful and twisted imagination; she is also a proficient story teller and like Zephaniah her writing is gritty, realistic and unafraid.
Now and again fiction comes along that is not just a book; it’s a text, a little piece of history reflecting the society from which it was produced. Jukebox is about a city of players from all walks of life, self-obsessed, greedy and manipulative, a satirical viewpoint of our own selfish, social media obsessed society.
I can remember the first time I read Toni Morrison and Arundhati Roy, that feeling that you are in the presence of genius, a writer who is magnificently gifted and no matter how hard you tried you would never even come close to being able to write like this. I already know this is a book I will return to and read again.
Ultimately Viola has created a satire that is so bloody British you expect Vinnie Jones to appear in the pages, if it were a film it would be directed by Guy Ritchie and would be set to a John Murphy soundtrack.
Expect to hear good things about Saira Viola; Jukebox is a work that will be talked about, a contender for the Booker… Absolutely! Although I suspect with Saira Viola the best is yet to come.
December 19, 2015
When such literary superstars like Benjamin Zephaniah , Jonathan Shaw and the amazing poet Heathcote Williams laud praise on a new book you know you have to read it . And I wasn't disappointed. Amazing descriptions of people and place . I have been a teacher of Eng lit for years , all I can really say is Viola is a new voice in a dying genre. Popular culture is savagely dissected and brilliantly parodied.Real, clever and annoyingly stylish . It defies genres and lives up to the hype .A rare achievement .
April 13, 2016
This book blew me away in the fact that it was so different to anything that I had ever previously read. The descriptions that the author gives everything is amazing and gives so much detail, that you can really get a picture in your head of what she is describing.
In addition, it has a very gritty nature, with a lot of swearing (especially at the beginning) which took me back initially, but I gradually got used to it and accepted it as and part of parcel of the book. In fact, it enhanced the descriptions and brought the book to life more.
It follows many characters involved in the underworld or being dragged into it, among them Nick the lawyer, transgender Mimi and the ambitious journalist Avery.
I would love to see this as a film, a more dark and fast-paced version of a Guy Ritchie film.
If you are looking for something unique to read, I would highly recommend this book.
I won this book as part of Booklover Catlady’s Giveaway week, with the option of giving an honest review.
In addition, it has a very gritty nature, with a lot of swearing (especially at the beginning) which took me back initially, but I gradually got used to it and accepted it as and part of parcel of the book. In fact, it enhanced the descriptions and brought the book to life more.
It follows many characters involved in the underworld or being dragged into it, among them Nick the lawyer, transgender Mimi and the ambitious journalist Avery.
I would love to see this as a film, a more dark and fast-paced version of a Guy Ritchie film.
If you are looking for something unique to read, I would highly recommend this book.
I won this book as part of Booklover Catlady’s Giveaway week, with the option of giving an honest review.
September 18, 2025
Saira Viola writes with the rhythm of a broken jazz record and the nerve of a pickpocket in a crowded room. Jukebox is a savage, synaptic romp through the gutter-glitter of a modern dystopia that looks terrifyingly like our own. The prose doesn't merely describe the chaos; it is the chaos—a staccato, street-smart poetry that grabs you by the lapels and refuses to let go.
It is ugly-beautiful, a diamond scratched from the bottom of a counterfeit watch. Viola has a poet’s ear for the music of malfeasance and a satirist’s eye for the absurd. This isn't a comfortable read; it's a shot of something strong and illicit that leaves a brilliant, bitter aftertaste.
It is ugly-beautiful, a diamond scratched from the bottom of a counterfeit watch. Viola has a poet’s ear for the music of malfeasance and a satirist’s eye for the absurd. This isn't a comfortable read; it's a shot of something strong and illicit that leaves a brilliant, bitter aftertaste.
November 9, 2017
Absolutely loved this! Writing in neon, Viola builds a cast of glowing cast of three-dimensional characters, a menagerie of outcasts, criminals and wanna-be's and sets them loose to redefine pulp fiction. A wonderful morality tale of unchecked ambition. My only problem with this book is that the roller-coaster ride had to end.
September 27, 2018
Saira Viola delivers a psychedelic, scary, funny, and at times cosmic and gritty thriller. She's a unique and powerful voice. Terrific.
June 8, 2018
This book absorbs the reader in to the seedy London underworld or sex drugs crime and Rock ‘n’ Roll. Whilst wallowing in this demimonde we are also aware of the way money and crime corrupt those around it. There’s an allure to easy money which, even when gained through despicable means, can still be tempting – what price your morality? This book explores the magnetic pull of cash and the destructive influence it can have on peoples lives without being in anyway preachy and without breaking stride.
February 26, 2016
Saira Viola's Jukebox is one of those books that stays in the mind long after finishing it. Viola's use of description and wonderful, poetic prose, paints a vivid picture of a city in terminal moral decline. No one is a winner in this novel. No one is a hero. Not even Nick Stringer, the main protagonist. Viola describes his experiences with gangland boss Mel in wonderfully short, sharp, pithy prose. As soon as you read the words, you see the character or the situation described.
The author is a true wordsmith, conjuring up feelings as well as situations with the fantastic way she writes. I could really see this novel as a movie. It has a down and dirty, yet persuasive charisma to it, and a very strong sense of crime noir.
I absolutely loved this book. It is crammed full of characters that you would cross the street to avoid and the situations they find themselves in are really all of their own making. And yet, because of the authors use of language, you actually feel for them and their experiences.
Read this book. It could be the best thing you ever do.
The author is a true wordsmith, conjuring up feelings as well as situations with the fantastic way she writes. I could really see this novel as a movie. It has a down and dirty, yet persuasive charisma to it, and a very strong sense of crime noir.
I absolutely loved this book. It is crammed full of characters that you would cross the street to avoid and the situations they find themselves in are really all of their own making. And yet, because of the authors use of language, you actually feel for them and their experiences.
Read this book. It could be the best thing you ever do.
April 6, 2016
At the beginning of what he guesses will be a brilliant career in at the British bar, Nick is fully persuaded that he is well above average—and cleverly in control of events. Then his uncle shows up with a lot of cash—and some interesting plans.
What Nick learns during the course of this narrative is that Ruthless beats Clever almost every time.
One of the things you learn from this book is that British slang seems to be newly created every day (you may have to use a search engine to find the meaning of some of these). Another is: how worldwide financial structures tend to funnel money into the most amoral pockets, despite well-meaning laws trying to stop them.
If you’ve enjoyed British gangster flicks like “The Long Good Friday”, “Snatch”, or “Dom Hemingway” you’ll probably like this fast-moving tale: although you might get the feeling, at the end, that this is Book One of a series—since “the end” doesn’t really feel like The End.
[Nate Briggs, for the Kindle Book Review].
What Nick learns during the course of this narrative is that Ruthless beats Clever almost every time.
One of the things you learn from this book is that British slang seems to be newly created every day (you may have to use a search engine to find the meaning of some of these). Another is: how worldwide financial structures tend to funnel money into the most amoral pockets, despite well-meaning laws trying to stop them.
If you’ve enjoyed British gangster flicks like “The Long Good Friday”, “Snatch”, or “Dom Hemingway” you’ll probably like this fast-moving tale: although you might get the feeling, at the end, that this is Book One of a series—since “the end” doesn’t really feel like The End.
[Nate Briggs, for the Kindle Book Review].
October 28, 2015
Not really my cup of tea, but it did keep me turning the pages. I read this one as part of a reading challenge with one of my GR book groups. I enjoyed reading something different than I normally would, and I think the author achieves her goal of writing with a distinctive voice in the "gonzo journalist" style. But for me, the world she creates in Jukebox is not one I care to visit much or for very long. I prefer books that are more uplifting and/or written with language that is achingly beautiful.
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