This "novel about grifters with issues" is absolutely brilliant. Roy, the OCD-suffering leader, and Frankie, the irresponsible sidekick, wend their way through life cheating gullible people out of their money. Although Frankie is inclined to take undue risks, Roy is careful and keeps them safe and prosperous. They make a perfect team - until Roy's shrink moves away and leaves him without medication...
The ensuing struggle is tense, funny and surprisingly sympathetic. The descriptions of Roy's and Frankie's "games" are so plausible one wonders if Garcia isn't a bit of a matchstick man himself, and each new one had me delightedly hoping for more. The shocking climax is filled with so many blinds and counter-blinds it leaves the reader almost dizzy. When Garcia lays his cards on the table to reveal the final grift, sympathy for the hapless victim is nearly overpowered by awe at the delicate trap so skilfully woven. Never has a surprise ending to a novel really taken me so completely by surprise.
As a fast and dangerous spin through this most fascinating of professions, and also a sensitive commentary on hope, love and loss, Matchstick Men is without peer.
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Wednesday, April 11, 2007
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It's an oldie, but have you seen _The Sting_? It's actually quite well done.
ReplyDeleteI have, and it rocked! It was great to see those two actors together again after Butch Cassidy. Grifter tales are the best :)
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