Title: Inside the Montreal Mafia
Authors: Eric Thibault and Félix Séguin
Release Date : June 7, 2022
Disclaimer: I received a digital ARC via Netgalley.
This book
is part history of the Montreal Mafia and part confession of Andrew Scoppa. It is not necessary to have a working knowledge
of the history of Mafia in Montreal because the authors do give background information
and include a timeline in one chapter.
The bulk
of the book is focused on Andrew Scoppa who conducted a series of interviews
with the authors. Overall the book is
workmanlike. IT’s not bad but the prose
is not particularly gripping or engrossing.
At times, the authors quote too much from published reports and inject
themselves too much into the narrative. While this is understandable considering
that Quebec reporters had been targeted for reporting on the Mafia, it does at
time feel a bit too much, as if they are becoming the story for a few pages. Additionally, especially in the beginning of the
book, the authors switch between Scoppa’s given first name and his more common
name of Andrew. It is a little confusing
in the beginning. Also there are some
strange digression -like a reference to
Trump.
That said,
the book does an excellent job of conveying the information. Furthermore, it does an very good job of
looking at the cost of a life of crime on the families of those who chose
it. While the focus into on Scoppa’s
family per se, the authors do detail how his father’s lifestyle does effect the
son. It does present a good overview of
the interactions/disagreements/wars of the Mafia and various other gangs.
It does
make me want to read the authors’ other books to find out more.
Comments
Post a Comment