The Lies of Locke Lamora

The Lies of Locke Lamora is something of a mixture between Hustle and  Oliver Twist, with a hint of The Pink Panther and a dash of Ocean's Eleven.
 
Part historical novel, part revenge thriller, part crime novel  and part fantastical adventure this is a brilliant debut novel from a  hugely talented first-time author.
 
In the words of Jennifer Williams, a bookseller based at Waterstone's Greenwich:
 
"Lies is funny, twisty, clever, violent and rude, with likeably wicked  characters and a story that's a mixture of The Sting and a gangster  movie. It's also extremely addictive and you are guaranteed to be  desperate for the next part, Red Seas Under Red Skies. Easily the best  book of 2006.." 
 
If you've already read the book, we'd love to hear your opinions on it. If not, why not pick up a copy today and join the discussion later?

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The novel is described as fantasy - do you think this is an accurate description?
Does it invite comparisons with other novels because it's derivative or because it's just a very difficult novel to pigeon-hole?

Comments

[Liza Lockwood]

It's only fantasy because it's not here (in this time and place). There are no dragons, witches, wizards or magic wands in it.

I truly adored this book, it appealed to me from the very first page, and when I got to the end, I started again.

[Charity]

Agree that it's not true fantasy - just a couple of very minor elements. I hope the fantasy label doesn't put potential readers off as it's a great book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will buy the next one as soon as it comes out. I read it on holiday and brought it home to re-read later instead of my usual habit of leaving it for someone else.

[Ginny]

I'm really enjoying this book though it's slow going at the moment and I've not finished it yet. The atmosphere is wonderfully claustrophobic and insular, and the setting strikes me as what Ankh-Morpork would be if it was taken half seriously. Curiously enough I don't actually *like* any of the characters and can't decde who I'm cheering on, yet I'm still enjoying the book. I think a lot of that is down to the vivid descriptions of the place and the people.

I think I'd describe it as more Mervyn Peake than David Eddings - it's definitely not 'fantasy-by-numbers'.

[Nigel Simmons]

Very Slow going

[Victoria Jeeves]

At first I found it a bit of a struggle, all the detail was a lot to take in and the constant jumps between the present and past. However it soon became an addiction, I needed to know what happened and became immersed in Locke's universe.

It takes a patient reader to start with but it's worth the effort. I eagerly anticipate the next installment of the Gentleman Bastard Trilogy.