What do you think?
Una vita a modo mio
E' la storia di Carlito Brigante, un portoricano di Harlem che si è conquistato un posto di primo piano nella malavita newyorkese grazie a un fascino irresistibile e a una naturale autorevolezza: un uomo che combatte una dura battaglia per la sopravvivenza tra la minaccia, per lui insopportabile, dellaprigione, un'esperienza che ha già fatto e che non vuole ripetere, e collaboratori inaffidabili che si rivelano i suoi veri amici.La racconta Edwin Torres, un giudice di Corte Suprema, che ha donato alla vicenda la sua competenza di magistrato.
432 pages, Paperback
First published August 28, 1982
About the author
Edwin Torres
55 books44 followersEdwin Torres is a former New York State Supreme Court judge and author, who wrote the 1975 novel Carlito's Way. His book was the basis for the 1993 movie of the same name, starring Al Pacino, and for the 1979 book After Hours, the sequel to Carlito's Way.
In 1958, Torres was admitted to the New York State Bar. In 1959, as an assistant district attorney, Torres participated in the prosecution of Sal "the Capeman" Agron. Shortly thereafter he became a criminal defense attorney.
In 1977, Torres was appointed to the New York State Criminal Court. In 1980 he was selected to the State Supreme Court, where he served as a justice in the Twelfth Judicial District in New York City. The Supreme Court has jurisdiction over felony cases, and Torres presided over a number of high-profile murder cases.
He retired from the bench in 2008 and since then has served on the New York State Athletic Commission.
A film adaptation of Q & A was released in 1990, directed by Sidney Lumet, and it starred Nick Nolte and Armand Assante. "After Hours" was filmed in 1993, but used the title Carlito's Way to avoid being confused with Martin Scorsese's 1985 film After Hours.
In 1958, Torres was admitted to the New York State Bar. In 1959, as an assistant district attorney, Torres participated in the prosecution of Sal "the Capeman" Agron. Shortly thereafter he became a criminal defense attorney.
In 1977, Torres was appointed to the New York State Criminal Court. In 1980 he was selected to the State Supreme Court, where he served as a justice in the Twelfth Judicial District in New York City. The Supreme Court has jurisdiction over felony cases, and Torres presided over a number of high-profile murder cases.
He retired from the bench in 2008 and since then has served on the New York State Athletic Commission.
A film adaptation of Q & A was released in 1990, directed by Sidney Lumet, and it starred Nick Nolte and Armand Assante. "After Hours" was filmed in 1993, but used the title Carlito's Way to avoid being confused with Martin Scorsese's 1985 film After Hours.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 12, 2023
Greatest first-person crime saga I've ever read. Always wondered why Pacino wanted to play another Latino gangster after Tony Montana, and I'm guessing it was this novel that sold him. It reads like a 167-page monologue any actor would kill to sink his teeth into.
November 7, 2007
Believe it or not. The Al Pacino movie, "Carlito's Way" is based on this book and it's sequel "After Hours".
I really loved this book. It's entirely written in the street patois of a Puerto Rican hoodlum in New York. There's a humorous poetry to it.
"She had curves on her like a guitar. A few years later she was more like a Cello. Still, it was might good strummin' while it lasted."
Interestingly, this book was written by a New York appellate judge. I would have loved to have clerked for him.
I really loved this book. It's entirely written in the street patois of a Puerto Rican hoodlum in New York. There's a humorous poetry to it.
"She had curves on her like a guitar. A few years later she was more like a Cello. Still, it was might good strummin' while it lasted."
Interestingly, this book was written by a New York appellate judge. I would have loved to have clerked for him.
June 21, 2011
A couple of years ago, I like a lot of people watched the straight to video film "Carlito's Way: Rise to power" and thought- What a POS! But then one day I was fortunate enough to find the source novel and discover that in fact, it is this novel which serves the general plot of that low budget film. It's a pretty good little story, not exactly a novel at under 150 pages. (Stephen King would have designated it a "novella") But a good fast paced story all the same. With quick edge of your seat action and great personal writing, Edwin Torres wrote a magnificent piece of pulp and while the b-movie has it's valor it can't do justice to this under-rated book.
Torres who is by no means a street punk himself. He is a New York State Superior Court Judge, felt the need to out do his performance in this novel with the epic sequel "After Hours" (aka Carlito's Way starring Al Pacino) really kinda failed to create a superior story there. See review.
Torres who is by no means a street punk himself. He is a New York State Superior Court Judge, felt the need to out do his performance in this novel with the epic sequel "After Hours" (aka Carlito's Way starring Al Pacino) really kinda failed to create a superior story there. See review.
March 6, 2020
Great Read!
Loved this! 'Carlito's Way' is my favourite film, and I read this with Pacino's voice in my head. Hard to get to grips with at first, but after a while it all flows and the story is fantastic, with realism spewing from every page. I'm already looking forward to the re-read!
Loved this! 'Carlito's Way' is my favourite film, and I read this with Pacino's voice in my head. Hard to get to grips with at first, but after a while it all flows and the story is fantastic, with realism spewing from every page. I'm already looking forward to the re-read!
July 21, 2020
By far the best crime novels ever to be written by a judge are Carlito's Way and its sequel, After Hours. The language and dialogue soar in this novel, and the evocation of '70's New York City is tone and picture perfect. This book is laugh out loud funny and a true delight to read. Puerto Rican New York City soars on these pages.
March 7, 2016
Two of the best street novels ever written. Amounts to a fictional Puerto Rican version of Goodfellas, the criminal autobiography of uptown dope dealer Carlito Brigante.
December 16, 2024
Enjoyable enough, though it suffered from the Swedish translation. There is a limit on how serious I can take a crime story which prominently features the word “gosse”.
June 24, 2020
One of the best crime dramas I've ever read. Edwin Torres masterfully lays out an authentic depiction of the gritty underworld of 1970s New York City. The characters are alive and full of vitality. The book was and is a source of inspiration for me as an author. I loved it!
June 2, 2017
It's hip. "Like that." Even has a glossary.
"Mr.Wesley Scott, the government prosecutor. What a pain in the ass! An anglo with a last name for a first name is automatically a prick."
"Mr.Wesley Scott, the government prosecutor. What a pain in the ass! An anglo with a last name for a first name is automatically a prick."
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September 17, 2026How Screenplay differs from Movie: Carlito’s Way
-Screenplay has Carlito and Kleinfeld going back to his apartment and talking about forgetting the ladies from the bar. (Not in movie).
-When Carlito and his cousin go to the barber shop there is no real trick shot. Carlito just hit the guy with the pool cue and doesn’t hit a ball off his face and use his glasses as a reflection. His Cousin also doesn’t reach for a beer in the cooler like in the movie. Movie scene is much better at building tension.
-Screenplay has Steffie being harassed by a Pimp named Alonso. Carlito and Pachanga meet him outside the night club and threaten him. This is the scene in the movie that Carlito threatens Bennie Blanco. Movie better.
-Screenplay has a long flashback scene of when Carlito meets Gail. He and Kleinfeld went to Bahamas when they were younger, and he met her. They boated around the Islands for a few weeks and fell in love. This is where we hear her call him Charlie instead of Carlito for the first time. He doesn’t tell her he is a “gangster” but she soon sees it when Lalin needs help down there with a problem. Gail does not like what she sees and tries to leave and Carlito convinces her he will “Never break her heart.” (I liked this flashback. Seeing how they met, seeing Lialin earlier, Kleinfeld being less hard and cocky. I wonder if they ever shot the scene and just cut it.)
-In the Screenplay Tony Taglialucci has the name of Tony Tagliaferro.
-In Screenplay, after Kleinfeld meets with Tony T, he is driving across the Ryker’s Island bridge, pulls over and looks down at the river crying/sobbing in fear. Movie has him walking out the prison and vomiting. I like movie more, shows more fear in a way that shows Kleinfeld is a pussy but harder than crying.
-In Screenplay, after Carlito goes to see Gail at Strip Club, they go back to his little apartment and have sex. (Not in movie)
-Screenplay has the Benny Blanco scene close to movie. Carlito kicks him down the stairs. The difference is when Pachanga wants to take to the pier to kill and dump him, that was done with the Pimp Alonso in the Screenplay. The movie combined Alonso and Benny.
-In the screenplay, when Kleinfeld goes over the plan with Carlito for Tony T’s escape, it’s at his party but on a Yacht not at his house.
-In Screenplay, after Dave kills Tony T, Carlito is back at his bar thinking about things, Pachanga walks up to him and tells him that Lalin was killed. I like this little scene because it shows Carlito (and us) that things have changed. The old guard is gone. (Not in movie)
-In movie. Saso tells Carlito that Pachanga is growing impatient and to watch out for him. In the Screenplay, they have more to that scene. Pachanga notices this conversation and follows Carlito out to his car. He asks what Saso said, and Carlito tells him Saso just doesn’t like him. Pachanga gets upset and tells Carlito to watch out for Saso.
-The Screenplay has the gun fight with the Italians start in the club. Carlito shoots one of them at the table. Kind of a cool killing where he hides the gun under a Champagne towel. Saso is also killed by the Italians. These were not in movie.
-Screenplay has the gun fight continue at train station and its pretty similar to the movie, major difference is after Carlito kills most of them he gets on a train to the airport. He gets killed by Benny Blanco right before getting on the plane. Movie is all at the train station. I liked the movie version better of keeping it all in one area. Less chaotic.
-Screenplay has Carlito and Kleinfeld going back to his apartment and talking about forgetting the ladies from the bar. (Not in movie).
-When Carlito and his cousin go to the barber shop there is no real trick shot. Carlito just hit the guy with the pool cue and doesn’t hit a ball off his face and use his glasses as a reflection. His Cousin also doesn’t reach for a beer in the cooler like in the movie. Movie scene is much better at building tension.
-Screenplay has Steffie being harassed by a Pimp named Alonso. Carlito and Pachanga meet him outside the night club and threaten him. This is the scene in the movie that Carlito threatens Bennie Blanco. Movie better.
-Screenplay has a long flashback scene of when Carlito meets Gail. He and Kleinfeld went to Bahamas when they were younger, and he met her. They boated around the Islands for a few weeks and fell in love. This is where we hear her call him Charlie instead of Carlito for the first time. He doesn’t tell her he is a “gangster” but she soon sees it when Lalin needs help down there with a problem. Gail does not like what she sees and tries to leave and Carlito convinces her he will “Never break her heart.” (I liked this flashback. Seeing how they met, seeing Lialin earlier, Kleinfeld being less hard and cocky. I wonder if they ever shot the scene and just cut it.)
-In the Screenplay Tony Taglialucci has the name of Tony Tagliaferro.
-In Screenplay, after Kleinfeld meets with Tony T, he is driving across the Ryker’s Island bridge, pulls over and looks down at the river crying/sobbing in fear. Movie has him walking out the prison and vomiting. I like movie more, shows more fear in a way that shows Kleinfeld is a pussy but harder than crying.
-In Screenplay, after Carlito goes to see Gail at Strip Club, they go back to his little apartment and have sex. (Not in movie)
-Screenplay has the Benny Blanco scene close to movie. Carlito kicks him down the stairs. The difference is when Pachanga wants to take to the pier to kill and dump him, that was done with the Pimp Alonso in the Screenplay. The movie combined Alonso and Benny.
-In the screenplay, when Kleinfeld goes over the plan with Carlito for Tony T’s escape, it’s at his party but on a Yacht not at his house.
-In Screenplay, after Dave kills Tony T, Carlito is back at his bar thinking about things, Pachanga walks up to him and tells him that Lalin was killed. I like this little scene because it shows Carlito (and us) that things have changed. The old guard is gone. (Not in movie)
-In movie. Saso tells Carlito that Pachanga is growing impatient and to watch out for him. In the Screenplay, they have more to that scene. Pachanga notices this conversation and follows Carlito out to his car. He asks what Saso said, and Carlito tells him Saso just doesn’t like him. Pachanga gets upset and tells Carlito to watch out for Saso.
-The Screenplay has the gun fight with the Italians start in the club. Carlito shoots one of them at the table. Kind of a cool killing where he hides the gun under a Champagne towel. Saso is also killed by the Italians. These were not in movie.
-Screenplay has the gun fight continue at train station and its pretty similar to the movie, major difference is after Carlito kills most of them he gets on a train to the airport. He gets killed by Benny Blanco right before getting on the plane. Movie is all at the train station. I liked the movie version better of keeping it all in one area. Less chaotic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2022
Carlito carlito, mad style and renegade retro crime. I loved the way this was almost a stream of consciousness type vibe but also a story being told by the protagonist. I almost forgot a few times that this was a fictional story.
I don't think I've read a Latin crime fiction novel really, closest was probably Piri Thomas' autobiography Down These Mean Streets. I'm curious to watch these movies, although the one based on this novel is said to be bad.
I don't think I've read a Latin crime fiction novel really, closest was probably Piri Thomas' autobiography Down These Mean Streets. I'm curious to watch these movies, although the one based on this novel is said to be bad.
March 4, 2022
I lived this book. The dialogue used really takes you alongside the characters and places. As shitty as that sounds, it really does. The movie doesn't compare. I think there are many reasons for this but one of them being that the book goes into the main character growing up. This really gives you a great connection with him. I read this book in 1993 and can still vividly remember certain parts of the book.
July 16, 2022
My favourite film of all time, so I have been reluctant to read the novels that it is based on. Decades later, I finally decided to check them out. It is good to see these characters again in different situations, but things don’t quite feel right. The book is laid out like snippets from someone's memoirs rather than a cohesive novel. What is here is great, with some excellent and punchy dialogue, but things stop and start with no real momentum, suspense or tension that the film offers...
March 4, 2024
Introducing the story of Carlito Brigante: a Puerto Rican hustler, drug dealer and survivor. The story of Carlito’s journey through the streets of El Barrio, the Spanish Harlem. Here you will find a story of Puerto Rican mafia hits, bravado, streetwise and gangs.
Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fg8RU...
Tik Tok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@documentingbo...
Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fg8RU...
Tik Tok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@documentingbo...
September 1, 2026
I see why De Palma skipped right to the sequel.
This is a bit of a mess for sure.
Sets up a lot for the sequel though. Interesting to see the meeting of Gail and of Kleinfeld. Interesting to see young Carlito that would eventually be disgusted at Benny Blanco from the Bronx as he sees too much of himself in Benny. With the added context of this book, yeah, absolutely. Benny is very much Carlito.
It was fine.
Im looking forward to reading After Hours though
This is a bit of a mess for sure.
Sets up a lot for the sequel though. Interesting to see the meeting of Gail and of Kleinfeld. Interesting to see young Carlito that would eventually be disgusted at Benny Blanco from the Bronx as he sees too much of himself in Benny. With the added context of this book, yeah, absolutely. Benny is very much Carlito.
It was fine.
Im looking forward to reading After Hours though
January 6, 2024
This was a brisk read highlighted by Edwin Torres bringing Carlito's personality to life with the ethnic slang of the day. Historical references also help set the mood. But towards the second half, Carlito's capers began to come off a bit sitcom-ish. But overall, an entertaining book and I'll be checking out the sequel.
August 12, 2020
رواية قصيرة لكن رائعة تصور الجريمة في نيويورك في السبعينات
مؤلف الرواية قاضي ويحكي في روايته حياة أحد المجرمين الذي استطاع صديقة المحامي اخراجه من السجن بعد عدة سنوات فينوي الابتعاد عن الجريمة والاستقامة لكن حياة الجريمة تلاحقة
انها قصة كارليتو
مؤلف الرواية قاضي ويحكي في روايته حياة أحد المجرمين الذي استطاع صديقة المحامي اخراجه من السجن بعد عدة سنوات فينوي الابتعاد عن الجريمة والاستقامة لكن حياة الجريمة تلاحقة
انها قصة كارليتو
December 22, 2022
Fast read
This was a good book. It portrayed the prejudice that exists between different nationalities. This book was entertaining and a fast read.
This was a good book. It portrayed the prejudice that exists between different nationalities. This book was entertaining and a fast read.
February 23, 2023
Brilliant, almost diary like
The language is wicked, and I just could not put it down
I'd wager better than the film, but I've got to watch it again now
The language is wicked, and I just could not put it down
I'd wager better than the film, but I've got to watch it again now
December 14, 2024
great book. a little long winded in some parts. you can’t help but to root for carlito.
July 3, 2026
Quick novel that reads like the dialogue from the movie.
January 2, 2022
Super fast paced. Read in one sitting. Very street. Five stars!
December 29, 2016
Gritty and poetic and fresh. The NYC dialogue and locales are the real deal, and the story, dense with author Torres' insights about lawyer-criminal client relationships, is fascinating. Lots of crazy ghetto color and characters. Perfectly paints a portrait of Spanish Harlem in the 1970s.
September 29, 2010
This is just a cool ass book. I'm a huge fan of the movie,but the book is ten times better. Being someone who grew up in New York in the seventies,I was pleasantly surprised by many of the nuances Edwin Torres was able to capture. He does a great job of illustrating a raw ,exciting,dangerous time in New York's history. Not to mention that Carlito Brigante himself, is one of the most likable characters you'll ever meet. Reading this book is like listening to an old Puerto Rican hustler tell you war stories about the "old days",out on the stoop of your building. Mira. Read that shit "Papa".
Want to Read
October 2, 2011Apparently, the movie isn't even based on this book primarily. It's based on the sequel. I think this is source material for the horrible direct to video prequel. Anyway, watched the movie again tonight, for the first time in almost ten years. Fucking unreal, the movie is so good and holds up better than any I can remember, way better and more artfully crafted than I remember, so suspenseful even if you know what's coming. Tonight, three adults in a room, trying to hide the fact that we were crying at the end. Best De Palma movie. I watched all the extras, and now I'm kinda hell bent on reading it now. Goddamn.
January 18, 2012
A fairly quick read since it is a short book of just 152 pages. Told in the first person, there is a good deal of humor and interesting insight into the character of Carlito Brigante.
The film Carlito's Way is mostly adapted from Torres' follow up novel After Hours, but the film uses first-person narration in the same vein as this first book.
The film Carlito's Way is mostly adapted from Torres' follow up novel After Hours, but the film uses first-person narration in the same vein as this first book.
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April 30, 2008در صورت تمایل، جهت مشخصات فیلمی که بر اساس این کتاب ساخته شده است؛ میتوانید از لینک زیر استفاده بفرمایید
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106519
November 18, 2015
It was okay.
May 19, 2016
I don't know if I'd call it the Puerto Rican Godfather, but I enjoyed Carlito Brigante's NY crime saga. The movie is based more on the sequel, After Hours, and I'll read that at some point.
June 29, 2025
Sometimes he'd go off on a tangent, which was kind of annoying, but on the whole I really enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews