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The Perdition Saga #1
Road to Perdition: The New, Expanded Novel
First there was Max Allan Collins’ legendary graphic novel…then came the Academy Award winning movie and his bestselling screenplay novelization. Now Collins presents an epic new novel, combining and expanding upon all that came before, to create the ultimate version of his unforgettable story.
Depression-era Chicago is awash in liquor and blood, ruled by guns, graft, and gangsters like John Looney. His most feared enforcer is Michael O’Sullivan, known as the “Angel of Death.” But when O’Sullivan’s twelve-year-old son witnesses a gangland murder committed by Looney’s brutal son, O’Sullivan’s entire family is marked for execution to cover up the crime. O’Sullivan and his son find themselves on the run… and seeking vengeance… on the long, bloody road to Perdition.
Depression-era Chicago is awash in liquor and blood, ruled by guns, graft, and gangsters like John Looney. His most feared enforcer is Michael O’Sullivan, known as the “Angel of Death.” But when O’Sullivan’s twelve-year-old son witnesses a gangland murder committed by Looney’s brutal son, O’Sullivan’s entire family is marked for execution to cover up the crime. O’Sullivan and his son find themselves on the run… and seeking vengeance… on the long, bloody road to Perdition.
242 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 2016
200 people are currently reading
302 people want to read
About the author
Max Allan Collins
805 books1,322 followersReceived the Shamus Award, "The Eye" (Lifetime achievment award) in 2006.
He has also published under the name Patrick Culhane. He and his wife, Barbara Collins, have written several books together. Some of them are published under the name Barbara Allan.
Book Awards
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1984) : True Detective
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1992) : Stolen Away
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1995) : Carnal Hours
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1997) : Damned in Paradise
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1999) : Flying Blind: A Novel about Amelia Earhart
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (2002) : Angel in Black
Japanese: マックス・アラン・コリンズ
or マックス・アラン コリンズ
He has also published under the name Patrick Culhane. He and his wife, Barbara Collins, have written several books together. Some of them are published under the name Barbara Allan.
Book Awards
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1984) : True Detective
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1992) : Stolen Away
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1995) : Carnal Hours
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1997) : Damned in Paradise
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1999) : Flying Blind: A Novel about Amelia Earhart
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (2002) : Angel in Black
Japanese: マックス・アラン・コリンズ
or マックス・アラン コリンズ
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
April 2, 2017
This is a novel with a very unusual history. It began as a graphic novel by Max Allan Collins, which was adapted for film, with the screenplay written by David Self. Tom Hanks and Paul Newman starred in the film, which was very good. Collins then wrote a novelization of the screenplay and now has written an expanded novel, which adheres very closely to the movie.
The story is set in Illinois in the early 1930s. The Great Depression is well underway, and times are grim for virtually everyone. One exception seems to be the criminal gangs, which are continuing to prosper at a time when Prohibition is still the law of the land.
A gangster named John Looney controls most of the vice in Rock Island, Illinois, on the Mississippi River, about a hundred and seventy miles directly west of Chicago. Looney runs his empire in league with the Capone organization in Chicago. Michael O'Sullivan is a happily married man and the father of two young boys. O'Sullivan is also a feared enforcer for Looney and is nicknamed "The Angel of Death." Looney looks at O'Sullivan as a surrogate son and spoils O'Sullivans's children as if they were his own grandchildren. The problem arises from the fact that Looney has one real son, a hot headed, self-indulgent jerk known as "Crazy" Connor.
O'Sullivan's twelve-year-old son, Michael Jr., is curious to know what his father actually does when on his missions for Mr. Looney. A devoted reader of comics, Michael Jr. envisions that his father is some sort of secret agent. One night Michael Jr. hides in his father's car, when Dad leaves on a "mission," and he sees "Crazy" Connor Looney shoot a man to death. Connor turns and sees the boy, and from that moment, everyone's world is thrown into turmoil. In consequence, the O'Sullivans, father and son, find themselves on the deadly road to Perdition in an effort to survive the forces that have suddenly been unleashed against them.
This is a gripping novel that moves at a very quick pace. Collins based the idea on the real-life gangster, John Looney, who did rule a criminal empire in Rock Island in the 1920s. The O'Sullivans are fictional characters and Collins has moved Looney into the 1930s, even though Looney actually fled to New Mexico in the middle Twenties. Still, this is a minor matter in a book like this, and having lived in Rock Island for a number of years, I enjoyed reading about the city and its colorful past. Both the book and the movie will appeal to large numbers of people.
The story is set in Illinois in the early 1930s. The Great Depression is well underway, and times are grim for virtually everyone. One exception seems to be the criminal gangs, which are continuing to prosper at a time when Prohibition is still the law of the land.
A gangster named John Looney controls most of the vice in Rock Island, Illinois, on the Mississippi River, about a hundred and seventy miles directly west of Chicago. Looney runs his empire in league with the Capone organization in Chicago. Michael O'Sullivan is a happily married man and the father of two young boys. O'Sullivan is also a feared enforcer for Looney and is nicknamed "The Angel of Death." Looney looks at O'Sullivan as a surrogate son and spoils O'Sullivans's children as if they were his own grandchildren. The problem arises from the fact that Looney has one real son, a hot headed, self-indulgent jerk known as "Crazy" Connor.
O'Sullivan's twelve-year-old son, Michael Jr., is curious to know what his father actually does when on his missions for Mr. Looney. A devoted reader of comics, Michael Jr. envisions that his father is some sort of secret agent. One night Michael Jr. hides in his father's car, when Dad leaves on a "mission," and he sees "Crazy" Connor Looney shoot a man to death. Connor turns and sees the boy, and from that moment, everyone's world is thrown into turmoil. In consequence, the O'Sullivans, father and son, find themselves on the deadly road to Perdition in an effort to survive the forces that have suddenly been unleashed against them.
This is a gripping novel that moves at a very quick pace. Collins based the idea on the real-life gangster, John Looney, who did rule a criminal empire in Rock Island in the 1920s. The O'Sullivans are fictional characters and Collins has moved Looney into the 1930s, even though Looney actually fled to New Mexico in the middle Twenties. Still, this is a minor matter in a book like this, and having lived in Rock Island for a number of years, I enjoyed reading about the city and its colorful past. Both the book and the movie will appeal to large numbers of people.
August 31, 2020
This story started out as a graphic novel, was then made into a movie, then expanded to become this excellent book.
I actually watched the movie first, which was very good.....
Michael O’Sullivan is a gangland enforcer who leads a double life.....as well as being a brutal killer, known as The Angel of Death, he’s also a loving husband and father, but when these two sides of his life become tragically entangled, he’s forced to go on a mission of retribution, and must take his twelve year old son along with him, teaching him the skills he needs to help his father take revenge on those who have destroyed their family.
Of course this is a violent book.....death is dealt out as an everyday thing in the lives of these violent men, but there’s so much more....the relationship between father and son, as it’s forced to change, to develop, is so well described, and they meet interesting characters good and bad, as the story continues on to it’s outcome.
I’m sure it’s not a story for everyone, but I thought it was excellent......
I actually watched the movie first, which was very good.....
Michael O’Sullivan is a gangland enforcer who leads a double life.....as well as being a brutal killer, known as The Angel of Death, he’s also a loving husband and father, but when these two sides of his life become tragically entangled, he’s forced to go on a mission of retribution, and must take his twelve year old son along with him, teaching him the skills he needs to help his father take revenge on those who have destroyed their family.
Of course this is a violent book.....death is dealt out as an everyday thing in the lives of these violent men, but there’s so much more....the relationship between father and son, as it’s forced to change, to develop, is so well described, and they meet interesting characters good and bad, as the story continues on to it’s outcome.
I’m sure it’s not a story for everyone, but I thought it was excellent......
December 31, 2016
Wow, what a fantastic book! The last book I read in 2016 just might be my favorite for the entire year!
April 15, 2024
Some of the writing is pretty cheesy and mediocre in places, but it’s a great story well told. Especially love the mix of fictional and historical.
June 24, 2023
"God has nothing to do with the bad choices men make of their own free will."
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, I remember seeing the Tom Hanks film when it came out but I did not remember details of the story. I am definitely one of those readers that would never have picked up a graphic novel, but I am so glad I picked up this book. I highly recommend it to all who would usually enjoy this kind of story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, I remember seeing the Tom Hanks film when it came out but I did not remember details of the story. I am definitely one of those readers that would never have picked up a graphic novel, but I am so glad I picked up this book. I highly recommend it to all who would usually enjoy this kind of story.
February 20, 2022
Road to Perdition by Max Allen Collins is an excellent Crime thriller set in Illinois and other parts of the USA in the era of the Great Depression. Michael O’Sullivan Sr. is a veteran of the great war and a highly accomplished hitman for the local crime lord who controls most business—legal and illegal—in the area. His two sons, ten and twelve years old, think of their father as a gun-wielding crime-fighter not unlike The Lone Ranger and, eager to verify their conclusion, the elder one follows his father on one of his nightly assignments. His little sneaking triggers a terrible sequence of events that alters O'Sullivan's equation with his boss, who was nothing less than a father to him, irreparably. Within a few hours, O'Sullivan loses his wife and younger son, and embarks on the path of vengeance against the gang. Living a fugitive life and taking on the might of the mafia is difficult as it is for a lone man. But O'Sullivan is encumbered with his only surviving son, Michael Jr., whom he cannot part from. What follows is a unique journey where father and son travel the length and breadth of America, hitting the mob where it hurts, evading sadistic killers, and forging a relationship unlike any other along the way.
Narrated crisply, the characters, the action and the places of Road to Perdition are a delight to read about. Adding to the experience is the background, provided at the beginning of each chapter, on real-life people and events that form the loose basis for this engaging tale. And the story of how this full-length novel evolved from being a graphic novel that became a feature film is another thing that's really interesting. Needless to say that I enjoyed this one and am looking forward to reading the two remaining books in the series soon.
Narrated crisply, the characters, the action and the places of Road to Perdition are a delight to read about. Adding to the experience is the background, provided at the beginning of each chapter, on real-life people and events that form the loose basis for this engaging tale. And the story of how this full-length novel evolved from being a graphic novel that became a feature film is another thing that's really interesting. Needless to say that I enjoyed this one and am looking forward to reading the two remaining books in the series soon.
February 20, 2023
Great book
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Followed the movie pretty well but still stands on it's own. Worth the effort.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Followed the movie pretty well but still stands on it's own. Worth the effort.
March 8, 2017
A good, quick read
Written by the author of the original graphic novel from which the film was adapted. Collins adapted the screenplay into a new novel that provides the reader with a well written tale that has me wanting to go back and view the film again, now knowing much more of the back story. Well done.
Written by the author of the original graphic novel from which the film was adapted. Collins adapted the screenplay into a new novel that provides the reader with a well written tale that has me wanting to go back and view the film again, now knowing much more of the back story. Well done.
April 6, 2020
i loved the movie. In fact I plan to re-watch it later this week. Finally got around to reading it (with the new expanded version). I liked it all over again. Paul Newman (who was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor) stole the show in the movie version and I kept thinking of Tom Hanks and Jude Law as well (and Daniel Craig as John Looney's son, Connor).
Read this book as my KOLL for April. In a while I might take on the 2nd book in this series (out of 3).
Read this book as my KOLL for April. In a while I might take on the 2nd book in this series (out of 3).
May 22, 2025
I meant to read the original graphic novel, but I accidentally read the revised movie novelization instead. It's still very good, but I don't think it's the definitive version of this story. So...*shrugs*
Read
September 26, 2016 Having only seen the movie once, and liking it except for Tom Hanks's portrayal of the main character, I was delighted to pick up this expanded version of the novel, about the film, by the original author, based on his graphic comic which began the whole thing.
For those who have not seen this, there is the protagonist, a good man, husband and father of two young boys. Narrated by one of the sons, the reader is witness to the basically normal existence of this family except where it is not. Dad, known as The Angel of Death, is the right hand man of a local Irish mobster. When trouble develops which involves the employers adult son, Dad and son, Michael O'Sullivan's Sr. and Jr. must go on the run to save their lives and hopefully set the wrongs right.
Obviously having morphed from graphic comic to film to film novel to expanded novel this is a good story. I enjoyed it immensely and further loved the fact that I had not seen the film enough to have all of the characters "cast" for me. This was a satisfying page turner as most of Max Allan Collins' books are for me. If you love the film you will probably enjoy this was well. I received a free e-copy of this book from the publishers with the invitation for me to leave an honest review, and that is what I have done here.
For those who have not seen this, there is the protagonist, a good man, husband and father of two young boys. Narrated by one of the sons, the reader is witness to the basically normal existence of this family except where it is not. Dad, known as The Angel of Death, is the right hand man of a local Irish mobster. When trouble develops which involves the employers adult son, Dad and son, Michael O'Sullivan's Sr. and Jr. must go on the run to save their lives and hopefully set the wrongs right.
Obviously having morphed from graphic comic to film to film novel to expanded novel this is a good story. I enjoyed it immensely and further loved the fact that I had not seen the film enough to have all of the characters "cast" for me. This was a satisfying page turner as most of Max Allan Collins' books are for me. If you love the film you will probably enjoy this was well. I received a free e-copy of this book from the publishers with the invitation for me to leave an honest review, and that is what I have done here.
February 11, 2017
Road to Perdition
I didn't know there was a book. Lol, I've tried a few times to watch the film because I love Paul Newman and admire Tom Hanks but even two of my favourite actors couldn't get me past the unconvincing (as actors and human beings) performances of Daniel Craig and Jude Law.
As is the case 99% of the time, I loved the book so much more than the film.
I didn't know there was a book. Lol, I've tried a few times to watch the film because I love Paul Newman and admire Tom Hanks but even two of my favourite actors couldn't get me past the unconvincing (as actors and human beings) performances of Daniel Craig and Jude Law.
As is the case 99% of the time, I loved the book so much more than the film.
couldnt-finish
June 12, 2017I wanted to enjoy this, I love the movie and I was hoping for something that expanded on the events, but after about 1/3rd of the book I gave up. It was just boring. It's not incompetently written but it was just like watching the movie reeeaallllly slllloowwwly. Oh well.
January 11, 2018
Saw the movie (quite a while ago) and liked it. Came across the “trilogy”, (Road to Perdition, Purgatory & Paradise), as a Goodreads daily bargain and decided to try the printed version.
Perdition seems to sync well with the movie but provides a LOT more detail and background - or perhaps my memories of the movie have just faded somewhat. In any case, the book is a pleasant read which requires only a small bit of “suspension of disbelief”. The relationships between father and son and between father and mentor seem to be fleshed out much more than in the movie.
I’m rating at five stars for being an enjoyable read and I will read the next two books as they pop back into view when I’m browsing my Kindle library in future. I’m not hyper-anxious to jump right into them.
Perdition seems to sync well with the movie but provides a LOT more detail and background - or perhaps my memories of the movie have just faded somewhat. In any case, the book is a pleasant read which requires only a small bit of “suspension of disbelief”. The relationships between father and son and between father and mentor seem to be fleshed out much more than in the movie.
I’m rating at five stars for being an enjoyable read and I will read the next two books as they pop back into view when I’m browsing my Kindle library in future. I’m not hyper-anxious to jump right into them.
April 12, 2019
OMG how have I never heard of this before. This is a narrative built from recollection and criminal historians almost as if one part was the brick and the other the mortar that holds it all together. Michael O'Sullivan was a family man but also a member of the mob in Chicago. His whole history comes crashing down when almost as a childhood dare his son Mile follows him to "work" one night. The outcome is a journey of danger and daring across the country, the father trying to keep the son safe and the son trying to be the son his father needs or wants.
Gripping narrative and excellent characterisation I shall certainly look for the next in the series
Gripping narrative and excellent characterisation I shall certainly look for the next in the series
December 12, 2019
Road to Perdition is one of my favorite films. Only after several years and a second viewing did I realize that it was based on a graphic novel of the same name. Made sense as I could visualize many of the crucial action sequences laid out in the style of graphic novels - big on visuals and action with dialogue binding panels together. While I've not been able to find a copy of the graphic novel, I did find this print-only version written by the original author. It does not disappoint. The characters are fully fleshed out, the plot, a father who is an enforcer for a Chicago area mob boss and his 10-year-old son seek revenge on the boss when other members of the enforcers’ family are murdered in cold blood. It’s told from the sons point of view.
E
E
July 17, 2018
As someone who read the graphic novel and its sequels plus the movie, it was an interesting new view of a story I loved so much. A classic revenge story mixed with a touching story of a father and son. Even though it’s more faithful to the film than comic, since it started as a movie tie in book, its still very much a Collins’ type of story. Anyone who reads this book also needs to look at the graphic novel, the artwork alone is worth the cover price.
December 3, 2017
Life of gangster - complexity but yet simple
This book is very good but nowhere near five stars. This is definitely a books that I would suggest to others. This doesn’t only mainly focus on violence but the life itself. I would not mind have extra of 50-100 pages if they add some more details and raw emotions etc. It is still a darn good book.
This book is very good but nowhere near five stars. This is definitely a books that I would suggest to others. This doesn’t only mainly focus on violence but the life itself. I would not mind have extra of 50-100 pages if they add some more details and raw emotions etc. It is still a darn good book.
June 1, 2023
4 stars for a fuller version of a brilliant story I know well because of Road to Perdition (2002), one of my favourite films, adapted from the graphic novel, also written by Max Allan Collins.
The film clearly had an affect on him, though he wasn't one of the screenwriters as he wanted to be. And given the state of his prose in this novelisation of his own story, thank god.
The film clearly had an affect on him, though he wasn't one of the screenwriters as he wanted to be. And given the state of his prose in this novelisation of his own story, thank god.
November 1, 2023
Librazo. De principio a fin con una trama simple pero bien desarrollada, los personajes son interesantes, cameo de Al Capone, y un final esperado pero satisfactorio. Y lo mejor es que es una historia que empieza y se resuelve en un sólo libro.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2017
Great book!
This book is the best book I have read in a long time! It is well worth your time to read it. You won't regret it.!
This book is the best book I have read in a long time! It is well worth your time to read it. You won't regret it.!
August 21, 2018
Great read and a very interesting story.
August 7, 2020
Great 3rd time reading
I must confess this series is one that you will never tire of reading. Each time some new sentence will pop out at me.
I must confess this series is one that you will never tire of reading. Each time some new sentence will pop out at me.
February 14, 2021
Very, very well written
March 18, 2022
Another triumph
Max always grabs my attention from the start and holds it for the entire novel. Thank you for another great read.
Max always grabs my attention from the start and holds it for the entire novel. Thank you for another great read.
May 13, 2023
A novel based on a movie based on a graphic novel. Kind of trashy and formulaic, but quick and somewhat entertaining. As one might imagine.
July 11, 2023
😍 couldn’t put it down. Classic and just a great book.
March 16, 2024
Exceeded my high expectations
As good or better than the excellent graphic novel and movie.
Now I need to read Mr. Collin’s complete catalogue.
As good or better than the excellent graphic novel and movie.
Now I need to read Mr. Collin’s complete catalogue.
April 29, 2024
A solid depression era crime tale
I've never seen the film or read the graphic novel, but really enjoyed this.
A strong narrative and great characters.
I've never seen the film or read the graphic novel, but really enjoyed this.
A strong narrative and great characters.
December 25, 2025
Book is as beautiful as the movie. So well-written. So many moments where I choked up.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews