Chronicling the misguided adventures of four Baltimore underachievers in the early 1970s, Black Dogs skillfully fabricates a comedic explanation for what is perhaps the most famous heist in rock and roll history. The actual heist, which took place in 1973, targeted rock band Led Zeppelin, and further amounted to over $200,000 being stolen from the band as they wrapped up their 1973 tour in New York City. The novel, while not a serious read by any means, offers a refreshingly entertaining glimpse into the rock scene of the 1970s, not to mention an all too accurate portrayal of the dynamics of friendship and brotherhood specific to the 18-30 age demographic. While short in length, the novel’s smart approach to storytelling adds dimension to narrative aspects often overlooked in literary works. A highly-focused subject, character traits which mirror friends we all have, and the classic suspense of crime are just a few areas in which the novel truly excels. Historical context, in part, greatly contributes to this “unspoken” sense of something greater. While simply a story about a heist and the events leading up to it, the relation to rock history places the story on a timeline which remains relevant today.
As the novel begins, we are introduced to Patrick Sullivan, a character who is lost yet entirely centered at the same time. Much of the story’s bulk is focused on the events which occur after Patrick and his goof-ball friends attempt, and quickly fail at, robbing a house. Having dodged any legal connection to the crime, Patrick must cope with his partner, Alex, having been captured and sent to jail. Needing money to free his friend, Patrick and his friends set their eyes on a new goal; they will rob Led Zeppelin, and further go down in history forever for doing so.
Unfolding in a series of ill-fated robberies and petty crimes, the characters in the novel are introduced to a colorful variety of personalities as they strive to complete their objectives. The leader of a Christian motorcycle club, an ethically-questionable district attorney with a suspected drug problem, and a criminally-wise club funk band are just a few mentionable faces the boys encounter along the way; each providing comedic credibility to author Jason Buhrmester, whose imagination proves seemingly endless despite the non-fictional subject matter of the novel itself.
While the heist is the central focus of the novel, much of the reader’s enjoyment will come by reading the context in which the event took place. The action, which unfolds as plans never follow through as hoped, is both constant and investable. In fact, it is impossible for one not to support the mediocre bandits as they continue on despite all odds being placed against them. A good laugh indeed, this novel will deliver to anyone willing to read it despite one’s prior knowledge of rock and roll history. Witty, entertaining, and highly-suspenseful, this novel is a good read; one suitable for travel and/or light reading in between works of greater depth. Buhrmester will heist your afternoon with his novel; a piece fueled by intriguing content and his ability to tell a proper story.
Although your syntax needs some work and you need to talk a little less about the actual plot, I thought you wrote an engaging article that expressed your opinion well.
ReplyDeleteIt seems as thought you mostly gave a synopsis of the book and waited until the last paragraph to review it.
ReplyDeleteThis was a nice review. I really liked a few of your phrases: "mediocre bandits," and "Historical context, in part, greatly contributes to this “unspoken” sense of something greater." Your last line worked well to end it as well.
ReplyDeleteYour intro is kind of long. Im also kind of confused if you liked the book or not. But well written and good points.
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