Sleepers

Wow. That was moving. It was most certainly difficult to read at certain parts, namely through the abuse that these 4 young boys endured, especially if you consider that this is supposed to be based of real events that happened to the author and his friends. I guess there was some controversy with that, some people claiming that this was not based on true events, but I'm not here to speak of that one way or another. Either way I think this was a powerful, emotional journey, and I am glad to have read it. I loved how this book was split up into three separate parts, the beginning which gave you a look at who these boys were, their individual home lives, and the neighborhood they came from, which was almost a living breathing character in itself. Then the middle was the time they spent inside Wilkinson Home for Boys, where the horrific events that changed their lives forever took place. After that came years later with all the boys having turned into men, and you got to see the how changed these people truly are after the events that took place in that year they spent in the Hell that was Wilkinson. And you also got to see a glorious plan of vigilante justice unravel. There were so many elements that made this story as incredible to me as it was. I really enjoyed how their hometown, Hell's Kitchen, was portrayed in this story. You were completely immersed in this place with the characters, which truly felt like it was a world of it's own, separate from the rest of us, with it's own way of living and rules to live by. It was comparable to reading a good fantasy novel, with amazing world building, and I was very impressed by it. I also loved these characters, I feel in love with these goofy, mischievous boys after just a few chapters. And reading about their suffering broke me. It was so crushing hearing the atrocities they lived through, and it brought out my own desperate want for vengeance. It's a pretty solid accomplishment for an author to blur the lines of right and wrong for the readers, and those lines were obliterated in certain aspects in this novel. I rooted for their thirst of blood from the men that had taken so much from them. I ended this book honestly thinking that those monstrous guards at the Wilkinson Home for Boys deserved so much worse than they actually got, and that's something because I'm a pretty peaceful person. It was such an emotional journey, alternating between filling my heart up with love for some of these characters, and hate for others. This story definitely made you question a lot of things though, can vengeance make a difference? Does it even partially fill the hole that was carved in you in the first place? When is the time to take things into your own hands, is it your right to dole out your own form of justice? Can one event change the entire course of your life? What about one poor decision? The relationships in this book were beautifully portrayed. They were enduring of so much. Too much. I also loved Father Bobby, and even King Benny. And then there were the more quite characters, like the English teacher in Wilkinson who gave Shakes the copy of The Count of Monte Cristo, or Marlboro man, the guard who saved them at least one indignity, that made such an impact, even though their actions and appearance in the book in general were so small. You couldn't help but hold onto those small good things. They were a ray of sunshine on the bleakest of days. They gave you a sliver of hope that some people are good, they care. The ending was rather bittersweet to me. I wanted so much more for these people than they ultimately got. I would definitely recommend this novel, to EVERYONE! Seriously, you should read this, it's an incredible story. Now I'm kind of dying to see the movie, Robert DeNiro, Brad Pitt, Kevin Bacon and Dustin Hoffman, that's an all-star cast for sure! And now I'll leave you with a few of my favorite quotes... "I'm beggin' you," he said, his voice breaking, "Try to forgive me. Please. Try." "Learn to live with it," I told him, getting up from the table. "I can't," he said. "Not anymore." "Then die with it," I said. looking at him hard. "Just like the rest of us." "It doesn't take very long to know how tough a person you are or how strong you can be. I knew from my first day at Wilkinson that I was neither tough nor strong. It takes only a moment for the fear to find its way, to seep through the carefully constructed armor. Once it does, it finds a permanent place. It is true for a hardened criminal as it is for a young boy." "Do me a favor, would ya, Ness?" Davenport said, putting the gun in his pocket. "What?" "I ever make it onto your s*** list, give me a call," he said. "Give me a chance to apologize."

Gave book as a gift and the response back was a great read.

This book was excellent. I saw the movies many years ago and it was fabulous. Reading the story was even better as it usually is wjen it comes to books and movies.

I cannot believe it took me so long to read this book. I missed the movie when it came out in the 90s, and then just forgot about it, until the book somehow found its way to my Goodreads suggestions. Now, I am very glad. I never saw the movie so that I could read this incredible novel without any knowledge of the story. This story, reads as a historical fiction, thriller. Yes, I know the author claims this is a true story, that he just changed the names and locations.. However, I have learned there is a lot of questions surrounding the authenticity of the true story claim.. Either way, you as the reader are entertained with a historical backdrop to an incredible thrill ride. This is a story about four friends from Hells Kitchen in NYC growing up in the 60’s the way kids did in that era. Although I grew up about 15 years behind them, their friendship really resonated with me and the way my group of four grew up… These four friends from a poor borough with very little parental guidance navigate the streets of Hell’s kitchen, constantly looking for their next adventure. Although most of their activities are innocent (even if on the mischievous side), one of their pranks goes horribly wrong, causing the four to be sentenced to a juvenile detention center in upstate. While incarcerated they experience torture, and sexual abuse at the hands of the detention guards. Their life in the detention center is beyond imagination and changes them forever. Years later, after a chance encounter, part of the friendship is again in jeopardy of going away to prison but as a result, the foursome has a chance at red redemption. This was such a fun read, reminiscing about the way we used to play as kids growing up in the 60s, 70s and 80s, but also an emotional thrill ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat, waiting for redemption.

Very well written and moving, and such a sad reality for some. Hard to imagine the cruelty that sometimes accompanies power.

Absolutely amazing quality for used books, look almost perfectly brand new. I will definitely be buying from wonder book in the near future!!! Thank you so much, the books are awesome!!!

Have seen the movie tons of times and hate that I hated Kevin Bacon so much in it but is a testament to his acting in the movie. Had no idea there was a book until I saw someone comment on it. Great read and love how the ending did a good job of giving updates on the characters in the book. Book arrived in good condition just some ink marks along the outside and can tell it’s been read made it easier to keep my place

I don't care how much of the story is fabricated; there's plenty here that's real, especially Lorenzo's often brilliantly rendered dialogue. The plot is brilliant as well. I don't like some of the characters, but I respect who they were and who they became and why. Some of the characters are unforgettable: Fat Mancho, Father Carillo, King Benny, Sean Nokes, Marlboro, Carol, Shakes, among others. I didn't go to reform school, but I spent 9 years in a Texas orphanage where children were either tortured, loved, or tolerated, depending on who was in charge. Many of the scenes and feelings expressed in this story ring true to my experiences there. They could not have been manufactured. It's the overall feel of the story that's convincing and captivates--that driving need for justice (therein termed "revenge"). When you've been tortured as a child, the adult consequences are unavoidable and permanent: mistrust, oversensitivity, the inability to attach and express love--emotionally crippling consequences that haunt one forever. Lorenzo demonstrates clearly an uncommon compassion and understanding of these timeless truths of humanity. If you get nothing else from this story, get that juvenile detention centers can create monsters or angels and violence begets violence.