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World Gone By

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World Gone By

By: Dennis Lehane
Narrated by: Adam Sims
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About this listen

Joe Coughlin is untouchable. Once one of America's most feared and prominent gangsters, he now moves effortlessly between the social elite, politicians, police, and the mob. He has everything he could possibly want: money, power, a beautiful mistress, and anonymity.

But in a town that runs on corruption, vengeance, and greed, success can't protect Joe from the dark truth of his past - and ultimately, the wages of a lifetime of sin will finally be paid in full....

Chilling, heartbreaking, and gripping, this is the most complex and powerful novel to date from Dennis Lehane, writer on The Wire and author of modern classics such as Shutter Island, Gone, Baby, Gone, and The Given Day.

©2015 Dennis Lehane (P)2015 Isis Audiobooks Crime Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Modern Detectives Mystery Suspense Thriller & Suspense Fiction Crime Mafia

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Critic reviews

"A masterpiece by the crime writer's crime writer, this is the finest novel of the year with a spare, stark edge that cuts into your very soul.... No one captures menace quite as elegantly as Lehane, nor understands the mob better.... Boardwalk Empire on speed." ( Daily Mail)
"This is not just brilliant period crime writing but brilliant writing full stop." ( Independent)
"History is merely a backdrop in a story that seeks just to be exciting, sexy and atmospheric. The author's trademark combination of dark deeds, graceful pose and sassy dialogue ensures it succeeds." ( Sunday Times)
"This is noir with added value: Lehane is terrific on family ties and at conveying the buzz of a city powered by immigrant labour of often dubious legality." ( Guardian)
"Lehane's tough, muscular prose captures the era well; and his dialogue brings to life the inhabitants of its underworld." ( Spectator)
All stars
Most relevant  
Loved this book, maybe not as much as live by night but it was still excellent. If you like the Godfather movies then you should enjoy this but first read Live by Night.

the sequel to live by night

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I regard these two Dennis Lehane books as the best ‘Gangster’ stories I have ever read , superior even to Spillane and other masters of the genre. How can he make two men sat in a kitchen crackle with excitement? I thoroughly recommend this book.

World Gone By

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This is my 2nd book by this author and it is not my last. Strong, believable characters & an interesting story that will keep you hooked until the end.

Good, solid story & we'll told.

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Listened to books 2 and 3 of the Coughlin trilogy back to back and really enjoyed the continuity of how this epic gangster saga developed. Lehane’s vivid characters, wonderful prose and cracking dialogue are all brought to life by the considerable vocal skills of narrator, Adam Sims. Once again Sims gives the impression that there is more than one reader involved here - but it’s all one guy! I’m now looking for other novels this remarkable narrator has contributed to. If you enjoy a thrilling gangster epic this comes highly recommended.

Brilliant Conclusion to a Stellar Trilogy

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A pot-boiler but really well-executed. If you like ‘The Departed’, you’ll enjoy this.

Boston Gangsters

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Any additional comments?

I'm not going to lie, it took me a good 3 hours to really get into this audiobook. But when I did, it was totally worth the perseverance.

Gripping in parts; this classic Mafia thriller, set in post war America, really has a lot going for it. As you can tell from the title of this review, I was very satisfied with the ending. Probably the best ending I've listened to in many books!

The main character; Joe Coghlan, is a very likeable hero/villain who I took to immediately and I loved how His good side prevailed in the end, although I'm sure he's still destined for hell. No amount of repentance would be enough for the amount of notches on his gun or the copious amounts of metaphorical blood on his sleeve.

Cool and slick, this book had me frozen in anticipation in certain scenes. It was a bit like watching a classic gangster movie girl the first time, and for this reason I cannot recommend it enough.

:)

What an ending!

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Very entertaining strong story. Very well presented. Lots of details on US gangster life back in the fourties. Excellent plot and strong "hard boiled" style and ambience.

Classic US gangster Story Excellent

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If you could sum up World Gone By in three words, what would they be?

Masterful. Grounded. Gripping.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Joe Coughlin brushes up against a great cast of Gangsters, each one out to out play him. But Joe is a fantastic character in a cut throat, authentic world.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Can't say...Spoliers!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. Very moreish.

Any additional comments?

Loved this book just as much as 'Live by Night'. (To use an Americanism) Lehane covers all of the bases. Setting, Character, Twists. Nicely written and superbly narrated.

Quality sequel. Just as good as the first book.

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All three of these books are excellent great narrative and good old fashioned goodfellas plot.

Brilliant

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