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Police Du Peuple
Depuis le passage de l'ouragan Katrina, La Nouvelle-Orleans est en crise. Sa population souffre autant de la deterioration du climat que de la crise monetaire. Refusant desormais de faire le sale boulot des politiciens, des affairistes et des banquiers, Luke Martin, flic, et Jean-Baptiste Lafitte, tenancier de maison close et mafieux, se liguent, a l'approche des elections, pour proposer une candidate proche du peuple: Marylou, la chanteuse de rue. Mais a travers elle, ce sont les dieux vaudous qui s'expriment, menacant la Louisiane d'un nouvel ouragan si l'un des leurs n'est pas elu au poste de gouverneur.Sur fond de scenes de carnaval, d'emeutes populaires et de repressions policieres, Norman Spinrad poursuit sa critique acerbe d'un pays gouverne par l'argent et la betise, imaginant un Etat libre de Louisiane, ou le Mardi gras bat son plein et ou la Police du Peuple s'oppose a la finance.Reference incontournable pour les amateurs de litterature noire et de science-fiction, Norman Spinrad a centre son uvre autour des themes de la manipulation, des medias et du pouvoir. Chez Fayard sont parus "Il est parmi nous," "Oussama" et Le Temps du reve."
295 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2017
9 people are currently reading
575 people want to read
About the author
Norman Spinrad
366 books217 followersBorn in New York in 1940, Norman Spinrad is an acclaimed SF writer.
Norman Spinrad, born in New York City, is a graduate of the Bronx High School of Science. In 1957 he entered City College of New York and graduated in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree as a pre-law major. In 1966 he moved to San Francisco, then to Los Angeles, and now lives in Paris. He married fellow novelist N. Lee Wood in 1990; they divorced in 2005. They had no children. Spinrad served as President of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) from 1980 to 1982 and again from 2001 to 2002.
Norman Spinrad, born in New York City, is a graduate of the Bronx High School of Science. In 1957 he entered City College of New York and graduated in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree as a pre-law major. In 1966 he moved to San Francisco, then to Los Angeles, and now lives in Paris. He married fellow novelist N. Lee Wood in 1990; they divorced in 2005. They had no children. Spinrad served as President of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) from 1980 to 1982 and again from 2001 to 2002.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 22 reviews
February 24, 2017
...The People's Police is a very politically charged novel. It questions, it mocks, it satirizes and it challenges. The book is quite cynical about the world of politics and business in particular. You have to be able to appreciate a strong political message in the book to like it. Spinrad does not hide his own opinions, which border on the anarchistic at times, in the novel. I suspect this goes for a lot of his other books as well, so for readers familiar with his work, that will most likely not be a surprise. Personally, I enjoyed his sharp criticism and unapologetically cynical observations....
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July 24, 2020Dobar je Spinrad
March 26, 2017
I should know better than to start a Spinrad book late at night, I stayed up way too late. The People's Police is much along the lines of Bug Jack Barron and his other cynical and snarky political works. He's one of the openly leftist authors in SF, not a common occurrence. Spinrad doesn't pull punches, he cheerfully roasts Democrats and Republicans and the corrupt Louisiana police while still treating characters as individuals and not stereotypes. His use of voodoo adds a very strange twist to events and some of his economic and policing fixes are enough to froth any reactionary reading it. There aren't that many writers that cover near future politics that aren't dystopian, I recommend this, its a fun and original read.
September 7, 2018
It's been a while since I read any Spinrad - I remember binging on a half dozen or so of his Sixties and Seventies novels a decade or so back, but not since then. So going into this book, published in 2015, I was a little concerned that maybe he'd lost something along the way.
I need not have worried. He hasn't lost a damned thing, and he's found some new things too. This Nawlins-set tale of political corruption, reality show hi-jinks, voodoo and the never-ending clash between socialism and capitalism is one of his best works, better even than his legendary "Bug Jack Barron". And that's saying something.
I need not have worried. He hasn't lost a damned thing, and he's found some new things too. This Nawlins-set tale of political corruption, reality show hi-jinks, voodoo and the never-ending clash between socialism and capitalism is one of his best works, better even than his legendary "Bug Jack Barron". And that's saying something.
April 22, 2018
When Officer Martin Luther Martin was ordered to serve his own eviction notice he didn’t expect to wind up the face for the following police strike against the loan lizards trying to foreclose on everyone. When bordello owner J. B. Lafitte called the strike on being self serving, only helping the police, he didn’t expect them to agree. When MaryLou Boudreau first woke up from dancing with a full hat and no memory of how it wound up that way she never expected to wind up as Mama Legba, television personality and horse to the Loa. No one expected Papa Legba himself to address Luke on tv or the question he would ask. “What do you offer?”
This one might get a little weird, there may also be a few spoilers so heads up. Norman Spinrad’s The People’s Police is a bit of an odd duck as far as fantasy or urban fantasy novels go. It’s well written in many respects, but I’d have a hard time calling it a fun read. It’s got definite fantasy elements, but is also almost cynical in its approach to politics and the way we’re governed. It’s got a really political thesis, but then avoids a lot of what makes that thesis political, becoming sort of a preaching to the choir deal. It’s actually a little hard to come up with much of an opinion on it because of all that, I’m really not used to that.
So, start from the beginning, does the story live up to its blurb? Yes and no. The actual blurb for the book doesn’t really say much, so it’s hard for the book to not fall into it. At the same time the book lacks a certain degree of coherency for much of its run which, in addition to making it feel like it could have been trimmed a good deal, also leads to it feeling very scattered in places. Several characters could have been worked in much better, but instead weren’t introduced until the last probably fifth of the novel. The same can be said for certain events not having enough lead up and so winding up feeling misplaced.
We also get some weirdness with the language of the book both in that Spinrad occasionally chooses to write in characters’ accents, something I’m not a fan of, and that multiple characters will more or less verbatim use really specific wording. That bit is very like being beaten over the head with propaganda, like video game levels of it that you’re supposed to know what it is so you don’t take it seriously, which doesn’t fit because it’s part of the book’s main idea. It feels clumsy or like Spinrad doesn’t trust his audience to get it.
Here’s the kicker, none of that singly or grouped together runs a serious risk of killing a book for me, at least not usually. He’s also got some stuff that’s usually near guaranteed to get me invested. There’s good character work, any number of scenes are strongly written and play well to the reader’s senses, and the weird cynical optimism often works in the book’s favor. It doesn’t set though. We get a lot of back story in the first half of the book, but a lot of its told rather than shown. The supernatural aspect is interesting and the in book discussion had potential, though I feel like maybe Spinrad could have used something other than the Loa or done more to actively show his work. I know next to nothing about Voodoo, so I could easily be missing the mark entirely on that one, but still. Even the character work falls flat in places with a later character’s focus on his religion making him feel very cardboard where he, if introduced earlier, could have been much more dynamic.
I’m sitting at the point where I can easily see people getting really into The People’s Police and any number of other people reading two chapters and reselling it. Its writing is technically pretty good but lacks flavor, for lack of a better word, and has enough little things that I’m just neutral on the whole thing. So that said, The People’s Police gets a three out of five.
I was sent a copy of this by Tor for honest review.
This one might get a little weird, there may also be a few spoilers so heads up. Norman Spinrad’s The People’s Police is a bit of an odd duck as far as fantasy or urban fantasy novels go. It’s well written in many respects, but I’d have a hard time calling it a fun read. It’s got definite fantasy elements, but is also almost cynical in its approach to politics and the way we’re governed. It’s got a really political thesis, but then avoids a lot of what makes that thesis political, becoming sort of a preaching to the choir deal. It’s actually a little hard to come up with much of an opinion on it because of all that, I’m really not used to that.
So, start from the beginning, does the story live up to its blurb? Yes and no. The actual blurb for the book doesn’t really say much, so it’s hard for the book to not fall into it. At the same time the book lacks a certain degree of coherency for much of its run which, in addition to making it feel like it could have been trimmed a good deal, also leads to it feeling very scattered in places. Several characters could have been worked in much better, but instead weren’t introduced until the last probably fifth of the novel. The same can be said for certain events not having enough lead up and so winding up feeling misplaced.
We also get some weirdness with the language of the book both in that Spinrad occasionally chooses to write in characters’ accents, something I’m not a fan of, and that multiple characters will more or less verbatim use really specific wording. That bit is very like being beaten over the head with propaganda, like video game levels of it that you’re supposed to know what it is so you don’t take it seriously, which doesn’t fit because it’s part of the book’s main idea. It feels clumsy or like Spinrad doesn’t trust his audience to get it.
Here’s the kicker, none of that singly or grouped together runs a serious risk of killing a book for me, at least not usually. He’s also got some stuff that’s usually near guaranteed to get me invested. There’s good character work, any number of scenes are strongly written and play well to the reader’s senses, and the weird cynical optimism often works in the book’s favor. It doesn’t set though. We get a lot of back story in the first half of the book, but a lot of its told rather than shown. The supernatural aspect is interesting and the in book discussion had potential, though I feel like maybe Spinrad could have used something other than the Loa or done more to actively show his work. I know next to nothing about Voodoo, so I could easily be missing the mark entirely on that one, but still. Even the character work falls flat in places with a later character’s focus on his religion making him feel very cardboard where he, if introduced earlier, could have been much more dynamic.
I’m sitting at the point where I can easily see people getting really into The People’s Police and any number of other people reading two chapters and reselling it. Its writing is technically pretty good but lacks flavor, for lack of a better word, and has enough little things that I’m just neutral on the whole thing. So that said, The People’s Police gets a three out of five.
I was sent a copy of this by Tor for honest review.
February 13, 2018
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 3.0 of 5
I have really mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand it's gritty and very real feeling, with oddball characters and a dark, Disney-esque New Orleans. On the other hand, it's very political, with characters that don't appeal or reach out to me.
I haven't read many books set in the New Orleans area and I've never been to Louisiana, but I recognize the unique characteristics of the community and author Norman Spinrad does a really great job of using the city as a character without making it a cheap stereotype of the sort one might find in film or television. It repeatedly struck me that Spinrad really seems to know New Orleans.
Other than the city, our central character is Martin Luther Martin - a tough cop who worked his way up from the 'Alligator Swamp' (a gangland area) and tries to do mostly right and serve well as a cop. But he's given an order which he has trouble following. He is asked to serve some eviction notices and to remove people from their homes (technically not 'theirs' any more). But one of the names on his list is ... himself.
Martin argues against evicting himself and evicting all the good people he knows based on the greed of the banks. When his pleas fall on deaf ears, Martin organizes a police strike and spearheads a campaign to elect a new governor. He works with the brothel owner, J. B. Lafitte, whose business is being foreclosed upon. It seems that the big businesses and banks have no compassion for those who lost so much from the recent hurricanes. Martin and Lafitte convince the local Voodoo queen, Mama Legba (otherwise known as MaryLou Boudreaux) to be their candidate for governor. Mama Legba isn't your average Voodoo witch - the spirits really DO speak through her, giving her the appearance of a multiple personality disorder. No one is sure which personality will show up when they are out campaigning which leads them to believe that their chance at getting in to power and making some sweeping changes, is a long shot.
There was a lot of fun here and the characters were among the most unique as I've read. I felt shades of Richard Hooker, and even a bit of Joseph Heller's Catch-22 here. But it's still a book with politics at its core, and whether I agree with Spinrad's views or not, I don't like politics in my fiction - not politics that are too close to real - and so that took some of the enjoyment from this read for me.
Looking for a good book? The People's Police, by Norman Spinrad, is a political satire that captures the spirit of the Big Easy and presents wonderful characters that you won't forget.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
I have really mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand it's gritty and very real feeling, with oddball characters and a dark, Disney-esque New Orleans. On the other hand, it's very political, with characters that don't appeal or reach out to me.
I haven't read many books set in the New Orleans area and I've never been to Louisiana, but I recognize the unique characteristics of the community and author Norman Spinrad does a really great job of using the city as a character without making it a cheap stereotype of the sort one might find in film or television. It repeatedly struck me that Spinrad really seems to know New Orleans.
Other than the city, our central character is Martin Luther Martin - a tough cop who worked his way up from the 'Alligator Swamp' (a gangland area) and tries to do mostly right and serve well as a cop. But he's given an order which he has trouble following. He is asked to serve some eviction notices and to remove people from their homes (technically not 'theirs' any more). But one of the names on his list is ... himself.
Martin argues against evicting himself and evicting all the good people he knows based on the greed of the banks. When his pleas fall on deaf ears, Martin organizes a police strike and spearheads a campaign to elect a new governor. He works with the brothel owner, J. B. Lafitte, whose business is being foreclosed upon. It seems that the big businesses and banks have no compassion for those who lost so much from the recent hurricanes. Martin and Lafitte convince the local Voodoo queen, Mama Legba (otherwise known as MaryLou Boudreaux) to be their candidate for governor. Mama Legba isn't your average Voodoo witch - the spirits really DO speak through her, giving her the appearance of a multiple personality disorder. No one is sure which personality will show up when they are out campaigning which leads them to believe that their chance at getting in to power and making some sweeping changes, is a long shot.
There was a lot of fun here and the characters were among the most unique as I've read. I felt shades of Richard Hooker, and even a bit of Joseph Heller's Catch-22 here. But it's still a book with politics at its core, and whether I agree with Spinrad's views or not, I don't like politics in my fiction - not politics that are too close to real - and so that took some of the enjoyment from this read for me.
Looking for a good book? The People's Police, by Norman Spinrad, is a political satire that captures the spirit of the Big Easy and presents wonderful characters that you won't forget.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
March 7, 2017
Originally posted at www.archeddoorway.com
This really isn’t the type of book I typically read, as I tend to avoid books so blatantly political in nature, but I found The People’s Police by Norman Spinrad to be a fast-paced and oddly enjoyable read. I say oddly enjoyable because while this isn’t something I would have gone out to buy myself, I was still unable to put it down once I had started reading it.
The first thing that really comes to mind while I sit here and attempt to write this review is how much I loved the setting of The People’s Police. I’ve always enjoyed reading books set in New Orleans, as I think the city has a fascinating culture and history, and it’s always interesting to see what an author does with such an interesting place or people. I was fairly impressed with Norman Spinrad’s take on the city and its people. He manages to fit quite a bit of detail into the book without bogging down the story at all. Out of all the books I’ve read that were set in New Orleans, which is a surprising amount when I try and count them, I would have to say this is one of my favorites.
The second thing that quickly came to mind is how much I both loved and hated the political aspects of this book. Normally I like to use fantasy as a brief escape from reality and that is all but impossible with The People’s Police. It’s almost scary how easily I can see some version of the political and economic events that take place in this book happening in real life. Norman Spinrad does a great job taking today’s reality and our potential future and putting an almost fantastical twist on it, which is one of the things that makes it such an odd read at times.
Despite the mixed feelings I had throughout the course of this book and the fact that I’ve struggled a little bit writing this review, I really did enjoy reading The People’s Police, which I did do in a single sitting. I would gladly recommend this book to anyone that is looking for something new to read who won’t mind the political nature of it all. I would also take that recommendation one step further and tell anyone who hasn’t read anything by Norman Spinrad to take a look at his other books. He’s a fantastic author and I’ve been a fan of his for a long time now — he’s definitely worth taking a look at whenever you’re looking for something to read!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This really isn’t the type of book I typically read, as I tend to avoid books so blatantly political in nature, but I found The People’s Police by Norman Spinrad to be a fast-paced and oddly enjoyable read. I say oddly enjoyable because while this isn’t something I would have gone out to buy myself, I was still unable to put it down once I had started reading it.
The first thing that really comes to mind while I sit here and attempt to write this review is how much I loved the setting of The People’s Police. I’ve always enjoyed reading books set in New Orleans, as I think the city has a fascinating culture and history, and it’s always interesting to see what an author does with such an interesting place or people. I was fairly impressed with Norman Spinrad’s take on the city and its people. He manages to fit quite a bit of detail into the book without bogging down the story at all. Out of all the books I’ve read that were set in New Orleans, which is a surprising amount when I try and count them, I would have to say this is one of my favorites.
The second thing that quickly came to mind is how much I both loved and hated the political aspects of this book. Normally I like to use fantasy as a brief escape from reality and that is all but impossible with The People’s Police. It’s almost scary how easily I can see some version of the political and economic events that take place in this book happening in real life. Norman Spinrad does a great job taking today’s reality and our potential future and putting an almost fantastical twist on it, which is one of the things that makes it such an odd read at times.
Despite the mixed feelings I had throughout the course of this book and the fact that I’ve struggled a little bit writing this review, I really did enjoy reading The People’s Police, which I did do in a single sitting. I would gladly recommend this book to anyone that is looking for something new to read who won’t mind the political nature of it all. I would also take that recommendation one step further and tell anyone who hasn’t read anything by Norman Spinrad to take a look at his other books. He’s a fantastic author and I’ve been a fan of his for a long time now — he’s definitely worth taking a look at whenever you’re looking for something to read!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 22, 2017
A complex interplay of Louisiana and New Orleans politics, the New Orleans Tourist industry, police politics, the nature of Christian and moral duty, the conflict between the lowest and highest percentile of the American population, mixed with the Loa of voodoo. Once the police refuse to deliver eviction orders on each other, how long before they decide to refuse to do it to any one, and then how long is it before they began to choose which victimless crimes they will enforce.
August 1, 2017
My cousin, whom I have never met, paintss an entertaining tale of the mortgage crisis, in a delightful backdrop of voodoo, Mardi Gras and upstate Louisiana conservatism versus bawdy New Orleans laissez les bons temps rouler-ism. Fun!
November 30, 2022
The beginning was rough- I was confused with the writing style and the terms being used, but as the book went on it all started making sense and I enjoyed it. A very unusual spin on an almost futuristic view of the partying capital of the south.
March 30, 2023
This book keeps on surprising, and is outrageous in a way we just don't see enough these days. I was expecting a grim assessment of our world in the days of Defund the Police, but I should have known better, after all this is Norman Spinrad. Also, it's set in New Orleans. Yeah, there's some dystopian social commentary, there's also . . . fun! Voodoo and Mardi Gras in the mix make a difference. Maybe the loas got in there, too. There's also good reasons for the New York publishers to be afraid to touch it--all the more the reason to read it.
June 24, 2017
Political satire set in the Big Easy... hilarious and pointed. A good 'Welcome Back' novel from Spinrad.
April 6, 2017
The core of this novel, however, is not its characters, or its plot, or even its language – it’s the themes. On first glance, The People’s Police might not appear to be a very political book, but the reader need not get very far into it to see just how very political it is. It addresses issues such as police brutality, poor economic management by the government, climate change, racism, misogyny – just to name a few. Readers with a good grasp of the United States’ socioeconomic and political problems from the last ten years or so will likely recognise many of the things Spinrad is referencing: from Bush’s mishandling of the Katrina aftermath, to the major downturn in the housing market in 2008, to the most recent incidents of police brutality against black people.
Full review here: http://wp.me/p21txV-Ah
Full review here: http://wp.me/p21txV-Ah
March 16, 2017
Great idea, too much telling not enough showing, and while he created characters with amazing potential he never filled them out.
March 18, 2017
Not really my cup of tea. Too full of angst and mired in politics for me.
March 10, 2017
Mon avis en Français
My English review
I was very curious about this novel when I heard about it. I’m a fan of stories set in New Orleans and what about the mention of voodoo? Yes, I was really excited to discover this book.
The author makes us discover a world full of imagination set in New Orleans and it was interesting to discover what Katrina had done with this place. Indeed, the city is no longer directed as it was and people are all evicted little by little, whoever they are. Alas, it is now the turn of our hero, Martin Luther Martin, to receive this order and he is determined to fight against it. Martin is a cop and he thought he was above all this but it seems that it’s not the case. Helped by his father-in-law, he will foment a strike which will become while he try to associate with the queen of Voodoo to go on TV and share his message. But this rebellion will also change the life of this woman who is now asked to participate in the elections to become governor.
There are many descriptions and explanations so the reader can understand in which society the characters evolve. I sometimes struggled to really get into the story because these bases take a big place and it is true that there is not as much action as I thought. We find a satire of the society which is pushed to its extreme and it was interesting to see the ideas of the author on this subject. I think I was expecting something else but it was still an interesting novel bit maybe not one for me. I enjoyed discovering all the characters, be it Martin, Mama Legba or even JB Laffite.
My English review
I was very curious about this novel when I heard about it. I’m a fan of stories set in New Orleans and what about the mention of voodoo? Yes, I was really excited to discover this book.
The author makes us discover a world full of imagination set in New Orleans and it was interesting to discover what Katrina had done with this place. Indeed, the city is no longer directed as it was and people are all evicted little by little, whoever they are. Alas, it is now the turn of our hero, Martin Luther Martin, to receive this order and he is determined to fight against it. Martin is a cop and he thought he was above all this but it seems that it’s not the case. Helped by his father-in-law, he will foment a strike which will become while he try to associate with the queen of Voodoo to go on TV and share his message. But this rebellion will also change the life of this woman who is now asked to participate in the elections to become governor.
There are many descriptions and explanations so the reader can understand in which society the characters evolve. I sometimes struggled to really get into the story because these bases take a big place and it is true that there is not as much action as I thought. We find a satire of the society which is pushed to its extreme and it was interesting to see the ideas of the author on this subject. I think I was expecting something else but it was still an interesting novel bit maybe not one for me. I enjoyed discovering all the characters, be it Martin, Mama Legba or even JB Laffite.
February 20, 2017
THE PEOPLE’S POLICE by Norman Spinrad
This book was amusing, irreverent, insightful and outrageous. A quote from page 37 provides insight to the author’s style, “Never attribute anything to conspiracy that can be explained by assholery.” The quote won’t fly on my Amazon review but for my blog, my rules. This is not a book for the faint of heart or those who oppose satirical writing or who are offended by profuse profanity. New Orleans is the setting and the people provide stupendous color. Martin Luther Martin is a New Orleans swamp rat who crawls out of the swamp and changes the complexion of New Orleans.
Spinrad is a philosophic game changer. His commentary on society and his views all expressed by his diverse characters make one consider the depth of depravity in our elected officials. Ignoring the social commentary, the book is a grossly depicted view of New Orleans and the outlook of those who choose to live there.
This was an excellent book that can be read as just an entertaining story about a New Orleans in the not to distant future or a treatise on social mores and chicanery.
I enjoyed the book and recommend it to anyone who isn’t easily offended.
Web: http://normanspinradatlarge.blogspot....
This book was amusing, irreverent, insightful and outrageous. A quote from page 37 provides insight to the author’s style, “Never attribute anything to conspiracy that can be explained by assholery.” The quote won’t fly on my Amazon review but for my blog, my rules. This is not a book for the faint of heart or those who oppose satirical writing or who are offended by profuse profanity. New Orleans is the setting and the people provide stupendous color. Martin Luther Martin is a New Orleans swamp rat who crawls out of the swamp and changes the complexion of New Orleans.
Spinrad is a philosophic game changer. His commentary on society and his views all expressed by his diverse characters make one consider the depth of depravity in our elected officials. Ignoring the social commentary, the book is a grossly depicted view of New Orleans and the outlook of those who choose to live there.
This was an excellent book that can be read as just an entertaining story about a New Orleans in the not to distant future or a treatise on social mores and chicanery.
I enjoyed the book and recommend it to anyone who isn’t easily offended.
Web: http://normanspinradatlarge.blogspot....
February 7, 2017
This is a fairy-tale set in New Orleans. Or an x-rated version of the movie "Dave." Either way every day graft and politics are turned upside down by a few people who decide (against all things) to do the right thing. Of course, the question becomes: What is the right thing? "No violence, no robbin', no rapin', and y'all don't bother anyone who ain't breaking any of the other three, anything else your People's Police see the People doin', you just smile and step aside."
This is a big romp of a novel, involving voodoo, celebrity, and banking. I enjoyed it a lot, but I'm not sure that is going to be a majority opinion. The biggest surprise to me was having a "Christian soldier" buy into this whole thing. Have fun.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Tor books.
This is a big romp of a novel, involving voodoo, celebrity, and banking. I enjoyed it a lot, but I'm not sure that is going to be a majority opinion. The biggest surprise to me was having a "Christian soldier" buy into this whole thing. Have fun.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Tor books.
March 27, 2017
"Pretty good for a guy who doesn't know jack shit about Louisiana politics."
That is a quote from Chapter 22, and also the bulk of my review. Politics is notoriously dirty in La., but it is probably dirty everywhere. I don't think Spinrad has any particular insight into La. politics, or even politics in general. I don't think he has any real insight into how a Libertarian style police force with the motto "No victim, no crime" would really work. Probably knows nothing much about Voodoo either.
Nonetheless, it is a fun story. I was entertained enough to read it straight through, almost all in one sitting.
There were more typos than I expect in a professional book. And two huge errors that anyone from La. would find laughable. He describes the La. governor's race as having separate Democratic and Republican primaries. It doesn't. There are no primaries, just a free-for-all election usually followed by a run-off. And he describes a hurricane coming ashore halfway between New Orleans and Shreveport! A quick look at the map would show that Shreveport is nowhere near the coast.
I had trouble in the beginning knowing whether this was set in the future (it is) or in the present. So when he talks about "hurricane season", it wasn't clear for a long time that he is referring to some future environmental change that causes hurricanes to actually come ashore in New Orleans practically every year. And he talks of a future recession that is so similar to the 2008 one that it also gave little clue to the futuristic setting.
Anyway, with those caveats, I still did enjoy it.
That is a quote from Chapter 22, and also the bulk of my review. Politics is notoriously dirty in La., but it is probably dirty everywhere. I don't think Spinrad has any particular insight into La. politics, or even politics in general. I don't think he has any real insight into how a Libertarian style police force with the motto "No victim, no crime" would really work. Probably knows nothing much about Voodoo either.
Nonetheless, it is a fun story. I was entertained enough to read it straight through, almost all in one sitting.
There were more typos than I expect in a professional book. And two huge errors that anyone from La. would find laughable. He describes the La. governor's race as having separate Democratic and Republican primaries. It doesn't. There are no primaries, just a free-for-all election usually followed by a run-off. And he describes a hurricane coming ashore halfway between New Orleans and Shreveport! A quick look at the map would show that Shreveport is nowhere near the coast.
I had trouble in the beginning knowing whether this was set in the future (it is) or in the present. So when he talks about "hurricane season", it wasn't clear for a long time that he is referring to some future environmental change that causes hurricanes to actually come ashore in New Orleans practically every year. And he talks of a future recession that is so similar to the 2008 one that it also gave little clue to the futuristic setting.
Anyway, with those caveats, I still did enjoy it.
April 6, 2017
http://openbooksociety.com/article/th...
The People’s Police
By Norman Spinrad
ISBN: 9780765384270
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Kayt
Synopsis:
Laissez les bon temps rouler!
Martin Luther Martin is a hard-working New Orleans cop who has come up from the gangland of Alligator Swamp through hard work. When he has to serve his own eviction notice, he decides he’s had enough and agrees to spearhead a police strike.
Brothel owner and entrepreneur J. B. Lafitte finds himself in a tight spot when his whorehouse in the Garden District goes into foreclosure. The fat cats responsible for the real estate collapse after Katrina didn’t differentiate between social strata or vocation.
MaryLou Boudreau, aka Mama Legba, is a television star and voodoo queen—with a difference. The loas really do speak through her.
In the television studio, Martin, hoping for publicity for the strike and support from the people, calls for them to make a stand against the banks, corporate fat cats, and corrupt politicians. And his question, “What will it take?”, changes everything in the Big Easy.
Review:
I was attracted to The People’s Police by the setting, New Orleans, the characters – Martin Luther Martin (a NOLA cop), MaryLou Boudreau, aka Mama Legba (a tv star who did not believe in her powers, but became a true voodoo queen) and a brothel owner J. B. Lafitte. Well although I had high hopes for the story line and characters, this was not my cup of tea. Too much of the book was mired in politics and things that really did not interest me. I read that the author, Norman Spinrad, is a science fiction writer by trade and thought that might help a bit. It did not for me. Now I am not saying this is not a well written book, nor that it is not interesting. I am only saying it was not for me. The book is told in first person of each character and that did make reading it interesting to hear the voice of each one. I am sure others that enjoy this type of novel will find it well developed and entertaining.
One of the main characters Martin Luther Martin had me with hoping the story would progress in a different direction. He grew up in the gang invested Alligator Swamp that has now been devoid of police protection. He grabs at all the chances he is given to move up the ladder of command by speaking his mind and pulling others in as well. Wanting to make a better life for his wife, he does things that really push him to the limits. Everything starts when he is given papers to evict himself from his own house. Now that is just too much. This eviction and those of so many others in NOLA is the catalyst that starts a firestorm that encompasses a savvy brothel owner and also the voodoo queen who is rode hard by the loas that speak through her.
The political atmosphere is so charged and over the top, in your face it was just way too much for me. And if you do not like politics smacking you in the face, you will not like this one. It is very well written and is full of well-developed and quirky characters. Still there is no getting past the cynical messages that are blatantly forced down the throat of the reader. I was wrong in my impression of what this book was about after reading the synopsis. It does not come close to describing what is going on throughout this read. Now that said, I am sure there are tons of readers that quite enjoy novels strife with angst, political unrest, corruption, and the like. If you do, you will love this book. If you also enjoy some serious voodoo hoodoo, this is the perfect book.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
The People’s Police
By Norman Spinrad
ISBN: 9780765384270
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Kayt
Synopsis:
Laissez les bon temps rouler!
Martin Luther Martin is a hard-working New Orleans cop who has come up from the gangland of Alligator Swamp through hard work. When he has to serve his own eviction notice, he decides he’s had enough and agrees to spearhead a police strike.
Brothel owner and entrepreneur J. B. Lafitte finds himself in a tight spot when his whorehouse in the Garden District goes into foreclosure. The fat cats responsible for the real estate collapse after Katrina didn’t differentiate between social strata or vocation.
MaryLou Boudreau, aka Mama Legba, is a television star and voodoo queen—with a difference. The loas really do speak through her.
In the television studio, Martin, hoping for publicity for the strike and support from the people, calls for them to make a stand against the banks, corporate fat cats, and corrupt politicians. And his question, “What will it take?”, changes everything in the Big Easy.
Review:
I was attracted to The People’s Police by the setting, New Orleans, the characters – Martin Luther Martin (a NOLA cop), MaryLou Boudreau, aka Mama Legba (a tv star who did not believe in her powers, but became a true voodoo queen) and a brothel owner J. B. Lafitte. Well although I had high hopes for the story line and characters, this was not my cup of tea. Too much of the book was mired in politics and things that really did not interest me. I read that the author, Norman Spinrad, is a science fiction writer by trade and thought that might help a bit. It did not for me. Now I am not saying this is not a well written book, nor that it is not interesting. I am only saying it was not for me. The book is told in first person of each character and that did make reading it interesting to hear the voice of each one. I am sure others that enjoy this type of novel will find it well developed and entertaining.
One of the main characters Martin Luther Martin had me with hoping the story would progress in a different direction. He grew up in the gang invested Alligator Swamp that has now been devoid of police protection. He grabs at all the chances he is given to move up the ladder of command by speaking his mind and pulling others in as well. Wanting to make a better life for his wife, he does things that really push him to the limits. Everything starts when he is given papers to evict himself from his own house. Now that is just too much. This eviction and those of so many others in NOLA is the catalyst that starts a firestorm that encompasses a savvy brothel owner and also the voodoo queen who is rode hard by the loas that speak through her.
The political atmosphere is so charged and over the top, in your face it was just way too much for me. And if you do not like politics smacking you in the face, you will not like this one. It is very well written and is full of well-developed and quirky characters. Still there is no getting past the cynical messages that are blatantly forced down the throat of the reader. I was wrong in my impression of what this book was about after reading the synopsis. It does not come close to describing what is going on throughout this read. Now that said, I am sure there are tons of readers that quite enjoy novels strife with angst, political unrest, corruption, and the like. If you do, you will love this book. If you also enjoy some serious voodoo hoodoo, this is the perfect book.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
April 28, 2017
This was an adorable little book.
Well, okay, maybe adorable is the wrong word. Sexy? Risqué? Sex, drugs, and Rock and Roll?
No no no, I've got it - Mardi Gras.
This book is really good. I like the premise, I like the story, and I really like the way it doesn't care if you don't like swearing or not, because you better fucking deal with it or get lost. It's just... Mardi Gras. New Orleans, baby.
I would so jump into the world of the Eternal Mardi Gras. Better than this dump.
But there was some issues. One being the perspective changes? At least I think the perspective changed? I don't actually know?
We go between people and perspectives so quickly I'm left thinking were still with the last guy we were looking at. I never really know who I'm looking at and it's a bit confusing.
Also even though the plot was great I'm not 100% in love with it. It's just really split up and messy feeling.
But that's Mardi Gras baby!
Sorry, I just really like the Mardi Gras vibe.
Well, okay, maybe adorable is the wrong word. Sexy? Risqué? Sex, drugs, and Rock and Roll?
No no no, I've got it - Mardi Gras.
This book is really good. I like the premise, I like the story, and I really like the way it doesn't care if you don't like swearing or not, because you better fucking deal with it or get lost. It's just... Mardi Gras. New Orleans, baby.
I would so jump into the world of the Eternal Mardi Gras. Better than this dump.
But there was some issues. One being the perspective changes? At least I think the perspective changed? I don't actually know?
We go between people and perspectives so quickly I'm left thinking were still with the last guy we were looking at. I never really know who I'm looking at and it's a bit confusing.
Also even though the plot was great I'm not 100% in love with it. It's just really split up and messy feeling.
But that's Mardi Gras baby!
Sorry, I just really like the Mardi Gras vibe.
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