No Beast So Fierce

by Edward Bunker

Book Overview

After serving an eight-year term in Folsom State Prison, Max Dembo is determined not to return to his former way of life, in a realistic, suspenseful study of the pressures facing ex-convicts as they... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0679741550
• ISBN13: 9780679741558
• Release Date: March 1993
• Publisher: Vintage Books USA
• Length: 283 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.2" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Shocking

A crime-novel from a man who knows the inside of the criminal mind. This book is interesting both as a social study and as a suspense novel. Bunker does not keep his punches, and he writes with brutal honesty. The story of Max Dembo(the main character), is both exiting and sad, as Max tries to become a straight citizen, but soon realize that he is "born to loose". A great book, no matter how you look at it. This should be something they make the kids read in highschools.

FANTASTIC

This is an incredible book about criminals and their twisted philosophies. Bunker writes with brutal honesty. I found better psychological insights in these pages than a handful of sociologists could blabber out of their book training. This book came from the REAL DEAL! It doesn't glamorize anything-it just is what it is. Not to filibuster here, but with the ongoing debates about capital punishment and crime in general, this book should berequired reading for anyso-called "experts" on the subject. Bunker's words make a lot of sense and help you to understand a criminal's mind a little better.

Return to Print a Masterpiece of Crime

I first read this book in 1976 and stole it from the prison library when I was released. Someone along the line in turn borrowed it from me. I've been searching libraries and book stores for a copy ever since. I've read and re-read all of Bunker's other fiction. This is his best, in my opinion. If you've only seen the movie, "Straight Time", you have no sense of the grit and immediacy of the book. Nothing's for show and you're under the surface scum of the streets of L.A.. I titled this a masterpiece of crime, but like any true masterpiece it transcends the genre is simply,a masterpiece.

Authentic Bunker at his best

Written while awaiting parole, Bunker's experience lends his characters an uncannily authentic feel. It brings to mind films like 'Heat' - the robbery that goes wrong. Bunker's brilliance is making his lead character ugly yet engaging. Unfortunately, none of his subsequent books are quite as gripping as this. Beware of the film of the book, 'Straight Time', Dustin Hoffman is horribly miscast

The best crime story ever being written

I like to read crime story a lot. But 'No Beast So Fierce' is a bit difference from the others - it was written by an ex-con. If you collect the best material of every crime novel that you have ever read & put it together, you will get 'No Beast So Fierce'