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Hard Rain Falling
336 pages, 2009
The novel Hard Rain Falling by Don Carpenter is a tough-as-nails account of being down and out, but never down for good—a Dostoyevskian tale of crime, punishment, and the pursuit of an ever-elusive redemption. The story follows the adventures of Jack Levitt, a teenager living off his wits in the fleabag hotels and seedy pool halls of Portland, Oregon. He befriends Billy Lancing, another teenager who is a young black runaway and pool hustler extraordinaire.
A heist gone wrong gets Jack sent to reform school, from which he emerges embittered by abuse and solitary confinement. In the meantime, Billy has joined the middle class: married, fathered a son, and acquired a business, but ends up with a mistress. Neither Jack nor Billy can escape their troubled pasts, and they will meet again in San Quentin before their strange double drama comes to a violent and revelatory end.
Hard Rain Falling by Don Carpenter gives us a raw and unfiltered look into the harsh realities of life. It explores the struggles of the underprivileged and the marginalized, reminding us that life isn't always fair. It's a wake-up call to check our privileges and empathize with those less fortunate.
In this book, Carpenter beautifully portrays the power of friendship. Despite the harsh circumstances, the bond between the characters is unbreakable. It's a testament to the fact that friendships can be a beacon of hope in the darkest times. So, take a look at your own friendships and cherish them.
Hard Rain Falling makes us see how our choices can shape our lives. The characters in the book make some tough decisions, some good, some bad, but all impactful. It's a reminder to think before we act and understand the potential consequences of our actions.
Carpenter doesn't shy away from showing the harsh realities of prison life. He digs deep into the psychological impact it has on the inmates. It's a call to research and understand the need for prison reform and the importance of rehabilitation over punishment.
The book explores the journey of its characters in their search for identity. It's a reminder that finding oneself is a continuous process, often filled with trials and tribulations. So, take some time to explore your own identity and understand what makes you, you.
Quotes 5
Hard Rain Falling is a unique and remarkable piece of literature, a book that dares to be different and succeeds brilliantly.
George Pelecanos - Crime NovelistHard Rain Falling is a powerful and unflinching portrayal of life's harsh realities.
Richard Price - Screenwriter, NovelistHard Rain Falling is a masterpiece, a book that resonates with raw and compelling truth.
Jonathan Lethem - Contemporary NovelistHard Rain Falling is a book that will leave you breathless, a narrative that is both brutal and beautiful.
Dennis Lehane - Mystery WriterHard Rain Falling is a book that will shake you to your core, a story that is as unforgettable as it is profound.
Michael Connelly - Detective NovelistRecommendations
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Hard Rain Falling found in libraries
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