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The Dishwasher
Finishing a fourteen-year prison term, Bill Malone takes a job at the Star Motel and tries to start over, but his new life is shattered when one of his new friends is raped, forcing Malone into a confrontation with the local mafia. A first novel.
- GenresFiction
252 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 8, 2025
It was an interesting perspective, and the author did a great job framing the character in a way which helped me understand it better. I think they showcased a unique perspective on the nature of the legal system (even if it's fiction) and the human element on both sides of the law. I think it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking it's all two-sided and there isn't much nuance, but this book offers that space room to breathe depth into those two realms and show it's not all black and white.
June 6, 2023
In all honesty, I went into this book because I loved the European movie Bluebird In My Heart, that was based of this. Of course there's going to be differences. All film adaptations do.
In this case, with exception with the ending, the movie treated the story better.
Our lead Bill, in the book, is a bit too close to being a pervert constantly commenting on the sexual nature and attractiveness of a girl he knows is 14. Half this book tries to defend Bill, show as basically an okay guy trying to right his life. Then in the next page, he's thinking how sexy this child is.
The movie, at least, puts effort into having our main character show how uncomfortable he is around the girl, who I believe is a couple years older in the film. It does a great job showing his struggle to adapt to life outside prison. His awkwardness. The book kinda loses that rather quickly.
The last third of the book does bog down a bit with flipping perspectives to the mafia bad guys. When the violence comes, it is in small spurts that we see coming.
I will say though, I think the end of the book is definitely better. The general story is a good idea. The pacing is good. The language though makes it feel like it was written in the 1980s.
Overall, meh. Had promise. But there isn't much to redeem in our lead guy Bill.
In this case, with exception with the ending, the movie treated the story better.
Our lead Bill, in the book, is a bit too close to being a pervert constantly commenting on the sexual nature and attractiveness of a girl he knows is 14. Half this book tries to defend Bill, show as basically an okay guy trying to right his life. Then in the next page, he's thinking how sexy this child is.
The movie, at least, puts effort into having our main character show how uncomfortable he is around the girl, who I believe is a couple years older in the film. It does a great job showing his struggle to adapt to life outside prison. His awkwardness. The book kinda loses that rather quickly.
The last third of the book does bog down a bit with flipping perspectives to the mafia bad guys. When the violence comes, it is in small spurts that we see coming.
I will say though, I think the end of the book is definitely better. The general story is a good idea. The pacing is good. The language though makes it feel like it was written in the 1980s.
Overall, meh. Had promise. But there isn't much to redeem in our lead guy Bill.
August 12, 2014
A real window into the mind of someone who is Not Like Us.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews