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  • Live by Night

  • By: Dennis Lehane
  • Narrated by: Adam Sims
  • Length: 12 hrs and 54 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (147 ratings)
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Live by Night cover art

Live by Night

By: Dennis Lehane
Narrated by: Adam Sims
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Summary

With all the grit and barely veiled violence of The Godfather, Live By Night is another masterful example of the brooding gangster novel. Lehane's vivid cast of characters are utterly believable and his plot is as complex as it is thrilling.

Joe Coughlin is 19 when he meets Emma Gould. A small-time thief in 1920s Boston, he is told to cuff her while his accomplices raid the casino she works for. But Joe falls in love with Emma - and his life changes forever.

That meeting is the beginning of Joe's journey to becoming one of the nation's most feared and respected gangsters. It is a journey beset by violence, double-crossing, drama, and pain. And it is a journey into the soul of prohibition-era America....

A powerful, deeply moving novel, Live by Night is a tour-de-force by Dennis Lehane, writer on The Wire and author of modern classics such as Shutter Island, Gone, Baby, Gone and The Given Day.

©2012 Dennis Lehane (P)2012 Isis Publishing Ltd.

What listeners say about Live by Night

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

One of my favourites of 2012

I really enjoy Dennis Lehane novels - I dont think Ive read (or listened to) one that I haven't thoroughly enjoyed, This was no exception - brilliantly well written plotted and read. Its hard to say more without veering into spoiler territory but this was one of my favourite novels of 2012 and is highly recommended.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Babes in the Wood

So well narrated, with a good premise, makes what turns into a dreary tale unfathomable. Barely 20yo's do not have the forethought or intelligence, which leaves just misadventure and bungling which are not traits I enjoy in my MCs. They are just babes in the wood.

For the author the compile such MCs for such a novel confused me. I have not read/seen Shutter Island so had nothing to compare or judge against.

Was so looking forward to getting stuck into this book as it sounded interesting and enticing.

DISAPPOINTING RETURNED

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Outstanding Storytelling and Narration

I’m a fan of Dennis Lehane’s books. I read the first of the Coughlin family trilogy earlier this year and was looking forward to how the story developed. I wasn’t disappointed with the epic tale of Boston Police commander’s son, Joe Coughlin’s rise to Florida crime boss. Great characterisation and brilliant plotting. One of the best narrated books I’ve ever heard. Adam Sims really brings Lehane’s insightful dialogue to life. There were scenes between Coughlin, father and son, where I felt I was eavesdropping on a private conversation. Brilliant! Now for book 3.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Hard boiled genius strikes again!

A brilliant performance that does justice to writing so good it makes you gasp. Possibly the best audio book I’ve heard since the last Lehane book I listened to 😀

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Live By Night

Probably the best ‘Gangster’ book I’ve ever listened to. Believable , exciting plot , extremely well read. I recommend this to anyone who’s looking for more than just testosterone fuelled gunfights….although there’s enough of them to keep everyone happy.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Brilliant old school gangster writing

The dialogue and the story really skips along. Some great one liners and all characters brilliantly narrated.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!

I literally couldn't stop listening to this but not wanting it to end at the same time!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant, very complex and compelling

couldn't get to see the film, but can understand why it is long. There is such a lot going on. But, very hard to stop listening .. even for the 2nd time!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wow

I could not stop listening to this book. I have listened to near one hundred books now and this is in my top five.
Awesome narration and story didn't want it to end.
If you like gangster films this is up there with goodfellas and casino.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book

Listened to this over 3 long car journeys, got really into it and the time flew by. Great story and the narration is easy.

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