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The Snake
On a steamy night in Central Park, a sailor returning from South Africa gets mugged. What the mugger doesn't know is that the sailor is carrying a deadly Black Mamba-the most poisonous snake in the world. The sailor is murdered, the mugger is bitten, and the snake slithers off into the underbrush-and becomes the terror of Central Park.
John Godey's fast-paced, no-frills prose keeps the action intense as the city authorities rush to capture the snake-and the populace tries to stay out of its way. With all the heart-pumping action of Jaws, but set in the center of one of the world's most populated urban centers, this book guarantees you'll never look at Central Park the same way again.
John Godey's fast-paced, no-frills prose keeps the action intense as the city authorities rush to capture the snake-and the populace tries to stay out of its way. With all the heart-pumping action of Jaws, but set in the center of one of the world's most populated urban centers, this book guarantees you'll never look at Central Park the same way again.
280 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
17 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
About the author
John Godey
62 books18 followersJohn Godey was the pen name of Morton Freedgood.
Freedgood was born in Brooklyn, New York City, New York in 1913 and began writing at a young age. In the 1940s, he had several articles and short stories published in Cosmopolitan , Collier's, Esquire and other magazines while working full time in the motion picture industry in New York City. A WWII U.S.Army veteran he held public relations and publicity posts for United Artists, 20th Century Fox, Paramount Pictures and other companies for several years before focusing on his writing.
His novel The Wall-to-Wall Trap was published under his own name in 1957. He then began using the pen name John Godey — borrowed from the name of a 19th-century women's magazine — to differentiate his crime novels from his more serious writing.
Writing as John Godey he achieved commercial success with the books A Thrill a Minute With Jack Albany, Never Put Off Till Tomorrow What You Can Kill Today, and The Three Worlds of Johnny Handsome. The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, his novel about the hijacking of a New York City subway train, was a bestseller in 1973 and was made into a hit movie starring Walter Matthau and Robert Shaw in 1974. A remake starring Denzel Washington and John Travolta was released in the summer of 2009.He saw his Jack Albany stories turned into the 1968 Walt Disney film Never a Dull Moment, starring Dick Van Dyke.
Freedgood was born in Brooklyn, New York City, New York in 1913 and began writing at a young age. In the 1940s, he had several articles and short stories published in Cosmopolitan , Collier's, Esquire and other magazines while working full time in the motion picture industry in New York City. A WWII U.S.Army veteran he held public relations and publicity posts for United Artists, 20th Century Fox, Paramount Pictures and other companies for several years before focusing on his writing.
His novel The Wall-to-Wall Trap was published under his own name in 1957. He then began using the pen name John Godey — borrowed from the name of a 19th-century women's magazine — to differentiate his crime novels from his more serious writing.
Writing as John Godey he achieved commercial success with the books A Thrill a Minute With Jack Albany, Never Put Off Till Tomorrow What You Can Kill Today, and The Three Worlds of Johnny Handsome. The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, his novel about the hijacking of a New York City subway train, was a bestseller in 1973 and was made into a hit movie starring Walter Matthau and Robert Shaw in 1974. A remake starring Denzel Washington and John Travolta was released in the summer of 2009.He saw his Jack Albany stories turned into the 1968 Walt Disney film Never a Dull Moment, starring Dick Van Dyke.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
August 5, 2024
Not quite as good as I was hoping it would be, but still a tense and gripping snake on the loose thriller. Plus has everything you’d want from a 70s book set in New York.
January 18, 2021
‘The Snake’ by John Godey is a book that completely came onto my radar by random. Through Instagram, I’ve become friends with Dustin, aka postorgasmicstressdisorder. Through Dustin, I’ve connected with James aka The Black Wyvern Bookstore, here in Edmonton. James is someone who helps you find books as well as sells books. He’s a fantastic guy and a great resource. So, through all of that, for Christmas 2020, I wanted to surprise Dustin and get him a few books from The Black Wyvern. One such book was ‘The Snake.’ He raved about it. So, I grabbed the Kindle version and wow. I’m glad I did.
What I liked: John Godey is actually the pen name of Morton Freedgood. He passed away in 2006, but as Godey had a long career of writing and releasing mystery and thriller books. His most famous or well known release is perhaps ‘The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3,’ which was made into a movie in 1974 and remade in 2009, starring Denzel Washington and John Travolta. His chosen genre of mystery/thriller is on full display here with ‘The Snake.’
The premise is simple. A man is mugged and killed in Central Park late one night. Carrying a box, it falls and breaks open. Within – an eleven foot Black Mamba. Thus begins a race to find the snake, as more and more people inadvertently come into contact with it and don’t survive.
I think one of the things I loved most about this book was the fact that it was released in 1978. It’s hard to think back on how simple life was back then versus now. Hell, I wasn’t born for three more years. But think about it. No internet. No cell phones. Information wasn’t readily available or shared online. Faxes needed to be sent. Phone booths were the nearest “cell phone” option. Because of that, ‘The Snake’ becomes elevated as the easy logistics that we’d resort to in 2021 just didn’t exist.
The story follows along as a herpetologist is brought on board to try and find the snake, but as the body count mounts, public pressure overcomes anything he suggests. Godey does a splendid job of making the herpetologist a caring, well-educated character. One who waxes about man’s role in vilifying the snake but also how through man’s own deforestation, climate change and misinformation on snakes themselves, have worked to increase contact and deadly actions.
The scenes with the snake are truly unnerving. I’m a massive reptile fan, but whoa momma did Godey make them nerve wracking and tension filled.
The conclusion is what you’d expect to happen, but even when we get there, you’ll see how well Godey has wiggled in unexpected results. I gotta stay spoiler free but I was smiling at the end.
What I didn’t like: I’d say my biggest annoyance here was the love story that seemed to be tossed in between our herpetologist and a reporter. Godey tried to give it some ‘meant to be’ sub plot but it was incredibly weak and when the two characters were together the dialogue was brutal and laughable.
I also wasn’t a fan of the Church that was involved. I understood why, what with the evil symbolism of the snake and how the Church worked to get people amped up, but overall, until the ending it was a distraction.
Why you should buy this: This book won’t be for everyone. It’s set in 1978 and as such some ‘older’ un-PC language exists. As well, if a book that can be completely summed up as “a snake in Central Park” doesn’t excite you then I’d suggest you’ll DNF this.
BUT. BUT.
If that line of a snake in Central Park in 1978 fires you up and makes you intrigued? You’re in for one heck of a fun time and a book that I’m simply shocked wasn’t made into a movie. I had a blast with this one and if you’re looking for a fun story with some fantastic scenes filled with dread and tension, ‘The Snake’ will deliver.
What I liked: John Godey is actually the pen name of Morton Freedgood. He passed away in 2006, but as Godey had a long career of writing and releasing mystery and thriller books. His most famous or well known release is perhaps ‘The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3,’ which was made into a movie in 1974 and remade in 2009, starring Denzel Washington and John Travolta. His chosen genre of mystery/thriller is on full display here with ‘The Snake.’
The premise is simple. A man is mugged and killed in Central Park late one night. Carrying a box, it falls and breaks open. Within – an eleven foot Black Mamba. Thus begins a race to find the snake, as more and more people inadvertently come into contact with it and don’t survive.
I think one of the things I loved most about this book was the fact that it was released in 1978. It’s hard to think back on how simple life was back then versus now. Hell, I wasn’t born for three more years. But think about it. No internet. No cell phones. Information wasn’t readily available or shared online. Faxes needed to be sent. Phone booths were the nearest “cell phone” option. Because of that, ‘The Snake’ becomes elevated as the easy logistics that we’d resort to in 2021 just didn’t exist.
The story follows along as a herpetologist is brought on board to try and find the snake, but as the body count mounts, public pressure overcomes anything he suggests. Godey does a splendid job of making the herpetologist a caring, well-educated character. One who waxes about man’s role in vilifying the snake but also how through man’s own deforestation, climate change and misinformation on snakes themselves, have worked to increase contact and deadly actions.
The scenes with the snake are truly unnerving. I’m a massive reptile fan, but whoa momma did Godey make them nerve wracking and tension filled.
The conclusion is what you’d expect to happen, but even when we get there, you’ll see how well Godey has wiggled in unexpected results. I gotta stay spoiler free but I was smiling at the end.
What I didn’t like: I’d say my biggest annoyance here was the love story that seemed to be tossed in between our herpetologist and a reporter. Godey tried to give it some ‘meant to be’ sub plot but it was incredibly weak and when the two characters were together the dialogue was brutal and laughable.
I also wasn’t a fan of the Church that was involved. I understood why, what with the evil symbolism of the snake and how the Church worked to get people amped up, but overall, until the ending it was a distraction.
Why you should buy this: This book won’t be for everyone. It’s set in 1978 and as such some ‘older’ un-PC language exists. As well, if a book that can be completely summed up as “a snake in Central Park” doesn’t excite you then I’d suggest you’ll DNF this.
BUT. BUT.
If that line of a snake in Central Park in 1978 fires you up and makes you intrigued? You’re in for one heck of a fun time and a book that I’m simply shocked wasn’t made into a movie. I had a blast with this one and if you’re looking for a fun story with some fantastic scenes filled with dread and tension, ‘The Snake’ will deliver.
March 22, 2019
Black Mamba terrorizes Central Park in New York. A sailor on leave has the snake in a box, on his way, drunk, to his seldom seen wife's apartment is mugged and shot dead. This sets off the reptile's rampage. A herpetologist. A female reporter, and a put upon cop are trying to catch it. Along with half the city. As well as a religious cult that sees it as a sign from Satan. They want to kill it anyway they can.
This was a really good "creature feature" book. I feel like I took a beginners course in snakes after I got through with this. The conflict between the cops, cult, and citizens that wanted the snake dead. And the young herpetologist who sees that the snake is only doing what snakes do and should be caught, unharmed was a nice change. Really nice.
This was a really good "creature feature" book. I feel like I took a beginners course in snakes after I got through with this. The conflict between the cops, cult, and citizens that wanted the snake dead. And the young herpetologist who sees that the snake is only doing what snakes do and should be caught, unharmed was a nice change. Really nice.
September 19, 2022
Don't be disappointed. The snake doesn't climb the Empire State Building. The snake doesn't chase screaming schoolgirls down the street. The snake doesn't trap someone in a Ford Pinto and slobber all over the windshield. This is not a monster movie. This is a police procedural where the perp is a black mamba.
The NYPD enlists a Gen-Me herpetologist who is soft on snake-crime:
The NYPD enlists a Gen-Me herpetologist who is soft on snake-crime:
"Why not capture it and put it in a zoo?"The Deputy Inspector answers:
"Zoo, my ass. We’re going to kill the shit out of that fucking snake."Godey knows his snakes and he knows his New Yorkers. Godey figured out a way for the cops to not get their man while not letting the snake get away with murder.
September 29, 2016
A deadly black mamba on the loose in Central Park. This was quite entertaining - like some other reviewers, I was kind of visualizing a campy 1970s movie as I read along. I did learn a bit about black mambas, though.
April 3, 2010
Short, fast paced book about a poisonous snake loose in Central Park. It's a little bit dated now, but still a good read.
July 17, 2015
Godey's mater-of-fact style makes this snake's presence and activity oh-so-real! A mini-Jaws on land is a good scare. (Profanity, sexual situations, violence, cult.)
October 21, 2025
Manhattan, 1978 (or thereabouts). During a September heatwave, a sailor gets mugged in the middle of Central Park. Unfortunately, at the time, he'd been carrying a box with some precious and dangerous cargo inside: a live black mamba.
Of course, the deadly reptile gets loose. From there, we should all know the drill, right? Everyone's seen "Jaws" and its knockoffs (like "Piranha"). With the seventies eco-horror craze reaching its apex, the killer animal formula had gotten predictable by this point.
Yet "The Snake" managed to surprise me. Reptiles seldom fare well at the hands of Western authors. More often than not, lizards, crocodiles, and especially snakes are written off as callous, dim-witted, and bloodthirsty. Made-to-order bad guys, if you will.
Godey is different because if anything, his story is pro-snake. And refreshingly so. As a lifelong herpetology enthusiast, I really appreciate that positive outlook on some of the animals I love the most.
True, the mamba bites quite a few people. But Godey never misses a chance to remind us that most reptiles don't like being around people in the first place, and his snake is no exception. She just wants her privacy. I can respect that.
Even when things get dark, the book never loses its sympathy for the title character.
At least a few paragraphs in each chapter are told from the mamba's perspective. Here she is in this strange place, an ocean away from home, just doing her best to get by. (And munch on a squirrel now and then.)
All in all, the mamba herself is a compelling, even likable character.
Compared to some of the humans who populate this story, I'd call her a breath of fresh air.
In the city that never sleeps, an eleven-foot, highly venomous reptile can't stay hidden for long, in spite of her efforts to keep a low profile. After biting a pickpocket who'd tried to kill her, our mamba learns the hard way that not all publicity is good publicity in the Big Apple.
The body of her first "victim" is barely even cold when a media circus invades her new territory. Armed vigilantes sweep Central Park, hell bent on killing the snake, or at least taking her picture. Whatever comes first.
Tensions escalate once the city electorate gets involved. In the sweltering heat, our snake becomes a political football and Gotham's favorite new villain.
Everybody's got an opinion. Protesters want the park shut down; counterprotesters think they're nuts. Pranksters have a field day scaring the hell out of bystanders with rubber snakes on strings. One well-to-do socialite organizes the city's dog owners and has them sweep the park with all their poochies in tow--on the theory that man's best friend is also man's best snake-wrangler
Worst of all, you've got a religious cult telling anyone who will listen that the wayward mamba is Satan incarnate. Against such evil, only their fearless leader can save us. (When he's not too busy committing financial crimes downtown.)
I don't know anything about John Godey. Reading "The Snake," I got the distinct impression that he's either spent a lot of time covering city politics for a daily rag, or he knew people who did.
In this novel, the horror and chaos don't really come from the snake. They come from partisan squabbles, from political posturing. See the mayor who's so image-conscious that he's willing to round up 500 cops and have the lot of them comb Central Park, inch by inch, on a 100-degree day. All so they *might* catch one stray reptile who probably wouldn’t survive the winter anyway.
"The Snake" is a pretty good read, more thoughtful than I expected. It annoyed me that Godey kept calling venom "poison" and I thought the ending was a mild letdown. Still, fans of retro horror should get a kick out of this one.
Of course, the deadly reptile gets loose. From there, we should all know the drill, right? Everyone's seen "Jaws" and its knockoffs (like "Piranha"). With the seventies eco-horror craze reaching its apex, the killer animal formula had gotten predictable by this point.
Yet "The Snake" managed to surprise me. Reptiles seldom fare well at the hands of Western authors. More often than not, lizards, crocodiles, and especially snakes are written off as callous, dim-witted, and bloodthirsty. Made-to-order bad guys, if you will.
Godey is different because if anything, his story is pro-snake. And refreshingly so. As a lifelong herpetology enthusiast, I really appreciate that positive outlook on some of the animals I love the most.
True, the mamba bites quite a few people. But Godey never misses a chance to remind us that most reptiles don't like being around people in the first place, and his snake is no exception. She just wants her privacy. I can respect that.
Even when things get dark, the book never loses its sympathy for the title character.
At least a few paragraphs in each chapter are told from the mamba's perspective. Here she is in this strange place, an ocean away from home, just doing her best to get by. (And munch on a squirrel now and then.)
All in all, the mamba herself is a compelling, even likable character.
Compared to some of the humans who populate this story, I'd call her a breath of fresh air.
In the city that never sleeps, an eleven-foot, highly venomous reptile can't stay hidden for long, in spite of her efforts to keep a low profile. After biting a pickpocket who'd tried to kill her, our mamba learns the hard way that not all publicity is good publicity in the Big Apple.
The body of her first "victim" is barely even cold when a media circus invades her new territory. Armed vigilantes sweep Central Park, hell bent on killing the snake, or at least taking her picture. Whatever comes first.
Tensions escalate once the city electorate gets involved. In the sweltering heat, our snake becomes a political football and Gotham's favorite new villain.
Everybody's got an opinion. Protesters want the park shut down; counterprotesters think they're nuts. Pranksters have a field day scaring the hell out of bystanders with rubber snakes on strings. One well-to-do socialite organizes the city's dog owners and has them sweep the park with all their poochies in tow--on the theory that man's best friend is also man's best snake-wrangler
Worst of all, you've got a religious cult telling anyone who will listen that the wayward mamba is Satan incarnate. Against such evil, only their fearless leader can save us. (When he's not too busy committing financial crimes downtown.)
I don't know anything about John Godey. Reading "The Snake," I got the distinct impression that he's either spent a lot of time covering city politics for a daily rag, or he knew people who did.
In this novel, the horror and chaos don't really come from the snake. They come from partisan squabbles, from political posturing. See the mayor who's so image-conscious that he's willing to round up 500 cops and have the lot of them comb Central Park, inch by inch, on a 100-degree day. All so they *might* catch one stray reptile who probably wouldn’t survive the winter anyway.
"The Snake" is a pretty good read, more thoughtful than I expected. It annoyed me that Godey kept calling venom "poison" and I thought the ending was a mild letdown. Still, fans of retro horror should get a kick out of this one.
February 28, 2021
I remember loving this book. Read it when I was 18 years old, and knew nothing about black mambas (the cobra was still my favorite snake back then). This was the book that sent me down a rabbit hole of research on black mambas, and I fell in love. I might have to read this again someday.
March 13, 2020
I went into reading this book thinking it was a horror. Turns out it’s more of a story of natural disaster in the form of a creature feature.
The book gets off to a good start but takes a while for the lead characters to enter the story. By this time I wasn’t sure what to make of it. Was I going to enjoy this? Luckily I did in the end.
A black mamba is set loose in Central Park New York and kills 2 men. The creature is a catalyst for the overreactions of the residents of NYC. A social, religious, political and media circus ensues.
We get to know the snake through its own POV - through its behaviour and biology. And it’s place in history (presented as research by one of our intrepid reporters).
All in all this is a good book. At times it’s a little farcical and it pokes fun at the stupidity and ignorance of the human race. The ending is action packed but there are odd moments when a group of people are chasing the snake and all I can envision is the scene playing out like a Benny Hill sketch which - to the finale’s detriment - takes me out of the story.
But overall I enjoyed a book that I wouldn’t normally read.
The book gets off to a good start but takes a while for the lead characters to enter the story. By this time I wasn’t sure what to make of it. Was I going to enjoy this? Luckily I did in the end.
A black mamba is set loose in Central Park New York and kills 2 men. The creature is a catalyst for the overreactions of the residents of NYC. A social, religious, political and media circus ensues.
We get to know the snake through its own POV - through its behaviour and biology. And it’s place in history (presented as research by one of our intrepid reporters).
All in all this is a good book. At times it’s a little farcical and it pokes fun at the stupidity and ignorance of the human race. The ending is action packed but there are odd moments when a group of people are chasing the snake and all I can envision is the scene playing out like a Benny Hill sketch which - to the finale’s detriment - takes me out of the story.
But overall I enjoyed a book that I wouldn’t normally read.
September 14, 2020
I had hoped it was better, but it didn't excite me.
This is probably the wrong decade to read it. I had a hard time connecting with the story and the mass hysteria. Im quite sure at the time it was written the reactions and panic could have been plausible. A lot have happened to the world in 40 years.
Language wise the book wasn't my style. I found it superficial especially around the characters.
I was bored and lost interest around 1/4 into the book. I kept reading in the hopes it got better and for the scenes from the snake's pov.
Well researched though.
This is probably the wrong decade to read it. I had a hard time connecting with the story and the mass hysteria. Im quite sure at the time it was written the reactions and panic could have been plausible. A lot have happened to the world in 40 years.
Language wise the book wasn't my style. I found it superficial especially around the characters.
I was bored and lost interest around 1/4 into the book. I kept reading in the hopes it got better and for the scenes from the snake's pov.
Well researched though.
October 13, 2016
I read this MANY years ago when I was still in high school. I remember the cover was a patch of grass with a path made by a snake.
I was most likely too young to read the book, but the story has stayed with me all these years (I'll be 50 in seven days). I felt as if I knew everything I needed to know how mamba's act, feel, and how quickly they can kill you! Also, about staying far away from a mamba in the future! A pretty good read!
I was most likely too young to read the book, but the story has stayed with me all these years (I'll be 50 in seven days). I felt as if I knew everything I needed to know how mamba's act, feel, and how quickly they can kill you! Also, about staying far away from a mamba in the future! A pretty good read!
December 28, 2014
Very good
Would give it a 4 and a half , but can't. Moves fast and keeps your interest. A great telling of what might happen if a non-native poisonous snake were to be released in a big city. I would recommend this to any one who loves wild life thrillers or even a really good book..
Would give it a 4 and a half , but can't. Moves fast and keeps your interest. A great telling of what might happen if a non-native poisonous snake were to be released in a big city. I would recommend this to any one who loves wild life thrillers or even a really good book..
February 15, 2015
Take a Black Mamba one of the worlds most poisonous snakes, notorious for its bad temper, set it loose in Central Park. Mix in a religious cult bent on killing the snake, an overworked police department, a herpetologist trying to save the snake
And a pubic increasingly afraid of the snake and you have a real pot boiler of a novel. This is not to be missed.
And a pubic increasingly afraid of the snake and you have a real pot boiler of a novel. This is not to be missed.
October 12, 2011
I was pleased to find this on Goodreads because now I've discovered the author I can try and get hold of a copy. I loved this book as a teenager and I'd love to reread it - a typical disaster movie but in book form.
July 25, 2015
I (like many others) read this as a teenager - bought it from an op shop for 20c and it was the best 20c I'd ever spent! Short read, fast-paced, awesomely scripted. It really was a Hollywood movie and it was even better as I read it in the sweltering heat of a Melbourne summer!
September 2, 2016
1st Read: August 31, 2016 - September 1, 2016
Always an enjoyable read, though I wouldn't entirely call it a favorite anymore, as my tastes have broadened along with new knowledge of many more interesting things. I will keep this book though.
January 14, 2017
I visited NYC in 2013, and it was in the summertime too, so I've been able to visualise this story quite well. Great reading right from the start, a little slow in the middle, but the end was epic. Thumbs up from me!
March 26, 2020
A black mamba loose in central park sounded fantastic to me.
I loved the parts of the story with the snake brilliant, however the rest of the book let it down.
None of the characters were likeable or interesting, and, worst of all, the ending seemed rushed and anticlimactic.
I loved the parts of the story with the snake brilliant, however the rest of the book let it down.
None of the characters were likeable or interesting, and, worst of all, the ending seemed rushed and anticlimactic.
August 13, 2012
I read this book when i was a teenager would have made a great b movie
March 28, 2014
Great fun, oddly enhanced by the campy 1970s tone.
April 21, 2016
I read the sanitized Reader's Digest Condensed version on openlibrary.org.
October 19, 2017
Three Times.
I have read this book three times over the past few years. I highly recommend it. Please Mr. Godey, More books like this one?!
I have read this book three times over the past few years. I highly recommend it. Please Mr. Godey, More books like this one?!
February 19, 2025
Horny Dr. Fauci and His Dauntless Lois Lane
I'm a regular St Patrick when it comes to snakes. I've shot millions of them and wallpapered a kitchen with their skins. But, you know, the pity is when I read a book, I always choose sides. This one was a Snake v New Yorkers. And not just New Yorkers, but the worst of the worst. No big surprise whose side I was on.
Now this is one rotten snake, but he's a saint compared to the annoying Snake-kook hero. The Chiseler NYC politicians are loveable compared to the Man of Science brought in for One Last Mission before he goes off to Austria or Australia or ... one of those Aus-places. He's actually one of those Hollywood jackanapes who say:
I wanted this little creep dead the minute I laid eyes on him -- just like his miserable little descendant, Dr. Fauci. The problem is Morton brought him in as a sort of hero.
Yes, this book has these two, nearly always fatal flaws.
(1) Those Kooky New Yorkers -- there's nothing like 'em!
(2) Hyper-horny Indiana Jones and a Hot Chick Reporter
(By the way, we all know or have heard of some Snake Kook and my verdict is this: they are actually genuinely deranged or they're pulling a "look how eccentric I am" and thus even fakers at being kooks. It's the My-Kooky-Family gimmick for guys with no family. I honestly think they do it because they think it will make people think they are "interesting" and that way they might even get laid some day.)
Normally, I'd chuck a book the first hint of this BS. But I didn't. I read it in one sitting and nothing could have made me put it down. Morton really knows how to write and how to tell a story. It's that being cooped up in New York City all this time that's addled him.
Yes, I loved this book. It was great in spite of all this crap. And, yes, even though I was cheering for the Snake, I couldn't help but think, "What a shame. In 1978 they had never yet heard of Masks or Lockdowns. All this Senseless Slaughter could have been stopped with those two obvious Cures."
(There are actually TWO Dr. Faucis in this book. We leave it as an exercise for the diligent student to figure out who the second one is.)
Read it. Quit your job, collect free Safety-First money, put on your mask and Read It!
"But don't take my word for it, try it yourself!"
The End?
I'm a regular St Patrick when it comes to snakes. I've shot millions of them and wallpapered a kitchen with their skins. But, you know, the pity is when I read a book, I always choose sides. This one was a Snake v New Yorkers. And not just New Yorkers, but the worst of the worst. No big surprise whose side I was on.
Now this is one rotten snake, but he's a saint compared to the annoying Snake-kook hero. The Chiseler NYC politicians are loveable compared to the Man of Science brought in for One Last Mission before he goes off to Austria or Australia or ... one of those Aus-places. He's actually one of those Hollywood jackanapes who say:
Lois Lane: I'm going with you.
Indiana Fauci: No you're not.
LL: Why not?
IF: It's too dangerous.
I wanted this little creep dead the minute I laid eyes on him -- just like his miserable little descendant, Dr. Fauci. The problem is Morton brought him in as a sort of hero.
Yes, this book has these two, nearly always fatal flaws.
(1) Those Kooky New Yorkers -- there's nothing like 'em!
(2) Hyper-horny Indiana Jones and a Hot Chick Reporter
(By the way, we all know or have heard of some Snake Kook and my verdict is this: they are actually genuinely deranged or they're pulling a "look how eccentric I am" and thus even fakers at being kooks. It's the My-Kooky-Family gimmick for guys with no family. I honestly think they do it because they think it will make people think they are "interesting" and that way they might even get laid some day.)
Normally, I'd chuck a book the first hint of this BS. But I didn't. I read it in one sitting and nothing could have made me put it down. Morton really knows how to write and how to tell a story. It's that being cooped up in New York City all this time that's addled him.
Yes, I loved this book. It was great in spite of all this crap. And, yes, even though I was cheering for the Snake, I couldn't help but think, "What a shame. In 1978 they had never yet heard of Masks or Lockdowns. All this Senseless Slaughter could have been stopped with those two obvious Cures."
(There are actually TWO Dr. Faucis in this book. We leave it as an exercise for the diligent student to figure out who the second one is.)
Read it. Quit your job, collect free Safety-First money, put on your mask and Read It!
"But don't take my word for it, try it yourself!"
The End?
July 16, 2022
This book sort of won me over in the end. It’s got a lot of problems including the fact that it’s not really a “horror” novel at all despite the cover and marketing. It’s more of a 70s style thriller where the results of a snake in Central Park are explored. How do the cops handle it, how does the media, opportunistic religious leaders etc. The main character doesn’t even appear until a third of the way in.
It also gets a little silly with the way it parcels out snake facts in huge info dumps but it at least tries to give a reason for that (press conference, etc)
But I guess in the end I enjoyed it because it took the concept seriously and painted a convincing look at how a city might panic, descend into vigilantism, media sensationalism, religious furor, etc etc. The part where dog owners all congregate in the park was both funny and plausible.
It’s got a nice ending too, so if you want a better than average creature thriller with a dose of sociological realism you could do worse.
It also gets a little silly with the way it parcels out snake facts in huge info dumps but it at least tries to give a reason for that (press conference, etc)
But I guess in the end I enjoyed it because it took the concept seriously and painted a convincing look at how a city might panic, descend into vigilantism, media sensationalism, religious furor, etc etc. The part where dog owners all congregate in the park was both funny and plausible.
It’s got a nice ending too, so if you want a better than average creature thriller with a dose of sociological realism you could do worse.
January 20, 2024
This one is a bit dated as research into snakes keeps progressing, but at the end of the day it's a Black Mamba and is extremely deadly. When a mugging goes wrong in NY Central Park, a Black Mamba is accidently let loose and makes the park its home. The "horror" of the novel is the public chaos that the city expresses, and the stupidity that follows, that do result in deaths that are not the fault of the snake.
The highlights of this novel are the snake scenes and Godey does give an insight in the political scene of NYC, where a snake can be used as a political (and religious) controversy. He does remind us that a snake does not attack people unless it is defending itself, and it is best to leave them alone, they are solitary creatures. They are long and fast, with a rapid strike and are extremely deadly.
The highlights of this novel are the snake scenes and Godey does give an insight in the political scene of NYC, where a snake can be used as a political (and religious) controversy. He does remind us that a snake does not attack people unless it is defending itself, and it is best to leave them alone, they are solitary creatures. They are long and fast, with a rapid strike and are extremely deadly.
September 29, 2024
I picked this up because I liked John Godey's 'Taking of the Pelham 1 2 3' (the Walter Matthau version being one of my all time favourite films), and I found it hard to put down once I got over the initial conceit of the story telling. Like the more famous book, this doesn't have a real protagonist (except for the titular snake). Instead it skips around from head to head and tells its compelling tale from an omniscent point of view in a way that isn't done much these days. Like the more famous book, it's a tale of NYC in the 70s - lots of crime, a cynical mayor, a melting pot of characters from different backgrounds. And reading this, I learnt a bit more about snakes than I expected from a paperback.
Definitly recommended.
Definitly recommended.
December 30, 2023
I read the Reader’s Digest version and based on comments by others in my book club, a lot was left out. Rather predictable as far as what you would expect with a poisonous snake loose in Central Park: death, terror, conflicting opinions on how to handle the situation, and turning it into a political stunt. I must say that by the end I was sorry that the snake was brutally murdered. I hoped it would be caught for a zoo somewhere. The end was not surprising.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2022
Black Mamba in Central Park
The snake information is interesting. The social commentary on New York politics, police, race issues, crime, etc. is a nice snapshot of a bygone time. Some things have changed a bit. Some have only gotten worse. Overall I found this to be a fairly interesting story.
The snake information is interesting. The social commentary on New York politics, police, race issues, crime, etc. is a nice snapshot of a bygone time. Some things have changed a bit. Some have only gotten worse. Overall I found this to be a fairly interesting story.
May 10, 2025
poor snakey. this is why you don’t mug people - because you never know if they’re carrying a black mamba snake they won in a poker game in africa. aside from the whole human decency part. someone also needs to get the ouija board out and tell john godey the difference between “poisonous” and “venomous” because he used the former when he should have used the latter.
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