Shaker

Shaker by Scott Frank (2015) I listened an audio version of this book with a really good narrator (Dion Graham) after I heard the author—screenwriter and director, Scott Frank—on a podcast, and I was inspired by his process of writing it. Also, it seems like he likes a lot of the same stuff I do—so I related, there. It’s a pretty irresistible, addictive “page-turner,” on one hand—and I’m sure not going to either summarize or give away the story, okay? Also, it’s pretty convoluted, with a lot of characters coming and going—including long, detailed backstory sections that—while I’m often not into—I found really compelling—well-written and interesting. As it goes along, the level of violence keeps ramping up—which is saying something, because it depicts a lot of violence from the start—so I came close to putting it down, several times—too much for me. I’m not sure why—I felt manipulated by its over-the-top levels, maybe—or just turned off. But at the same time—I felt encouraged to continue, maybe because my favorite parts were the portraits of the career criminal, Roy—a fascinating, complex kind of half-person—and also, the woman cop with problems—Kelly. The ultimate-villain, Albert, however, I never got over feeling was too much—too much a Hollywood creation. I mean I know there are awful, cliché-humans out there, but I don’t need to spend time with them. Also, the backdrop of seismic activity is… maybe unnecessary? Kind of… all this plus the kitchen sink. That’s a lot of criticism, I guess, for a book I was definitely compelled (audio version, anyway) to follow to the end—and ended up liking.

11.20.25