The Real Thing: A Les Norton Novel 2

Les Norton #2

by Robert G. Barrett

It isn't every day you help murder someone with poison in an illegal casino, whisk his body halfway across town in a Rolls Royce, after robbing him, then bury his body in tonnes of concrete underneath an international airport–all more or less with the co-operation of two detectives. Les Norton is back in town!

Trouble seems to follow Les like a blue heeler after a mob of sheep. Maybe it's his job–being a bouncer at the infamous and illegal Kelly Club in Kings Cross isn't exactly the stuff a quiet life is made of. Maybe it's his friends–like Price Galese, the urbane and well-connected owner of the Kelly Club, or Eddie Salita, the hitman who learned to kill in Vietnam, or Reg Campbell, struggling artist and dope dealer. But then again, maybe Les is just unlucky...

Genres: Australia, Fiction, Humor, Action, Audiobook, Crime

284 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 1989

About the author

G’day.
You’ve no doubt read a lot of things about me and my books over the years written by other people. Well, this is the truth. I grew up in Bondi in Sydney, Australia. I went to Bondi Beach Public School then on to Randwick Boys High. I left school at 14, did a few odd jobs then a trade as a butcher, mainly in the Eastern suburbs before finally working as a boner in various meatworks around the inner city with two trips to Ross River meatworks at Townsville, Queensland thrown in. I gave up boning after a hindquarter fell on me tearing the tendons in my right arm. I always liked writing letters and reading, so while I was on worker’s compensation I did three writing courses at the WEA, Worker’s Education Authority.

Robert died of cancer at his home in Terrigal, New South Wales.

Reviews

[Ahmad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilariously addictive and debaucherous. We follow half bouncer/half hedonist, Les Norton, and with the assistance of his godfather, Price and extensive connections, traverses daily life looking for nothing more than a good time and a gooder girl. Despites life’s hiccups, he makes it work through his meticulously planned chicancery and some staunchs here and there. The writing is simple prose which makes reading it effortless and flow easily, even when transitioning between different scenes. The author doesn’t fiddle too much about describing a scene or landscape, which I like alongside the conversationalist oh yeah mate fair dinkum writ u bugger ha vb yeye lad tone

[Veronica-Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always an excellent read. Big, bad, good-hearted, solid as a rock bouncer Les Norton. This is the second in the series and such a lot of fun to read. Set in Australia in the 80's where a life of violence and dark humour is explored with great gusto. If Les Norton is your friend, he will do anything for you, but pity help you if you mess with the man! I love these books. Heartily recommended.

[Alex · Rating 1 out of 5]

Beyond dreadful. Describing the streets of Bondi had more narrative than the actual ‘story’. Zero reasons to care about any character. Let's not even talk about the final 'story' as it's too much to unpack.

[Jmg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant Australiana. Language warning, though.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hilarious

[Barb Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hilarious, rollicking read by this author.

[Chuckconnor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second Norton in the series, which I read back in Sydney in 1986, and am now getting again in order to keep the wonderful memories alive.

Despite this being the second, it avoids the dangers of being just a pale imitation of the first novel by dint of the characters and the writing. It also helps to show how characters can evolve in different directions to the way you think they should, and the fact that Robert G. Barrett has successfully published others in the series, and also other stand-alone books, means there is now a lot more for me to investigate - all of which will be for the first time.

All in all, this was like rediscovering an old friend - who is just as warm and as crazy as the last time the pair of you were together.

[Nora · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected an Australian mystery. I'm trying to read mysteries from all over the world and came across this on Stop You're Killing Me! This is more of a comic novel and there's no mystery involved. It gives a good picture of the underside of Sydney Australia and it's characters are great fun. No nobel prize winner this and no great moral, but a fun read. This book is tongue & cheek & the conversations get to be a bit repetitive.

[PRJ Greenwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of five related tales about Les Norton, Sydney bouncer and all-round stand-up guy. This was one of Barrett's first books and the writing skills aren't all there yet. Still an enjoyable book, full of larrikins and vibrant Sydney life as seen through Les' cynical eyes.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

All I can say was I was bored with it and didn't finish it.