The Sucker's Kiss

The Sucker's Kiss

by Alan Parker (Author)

Synopsis

Set against the first three decades of twentieth century American history, The Sucker's Kiss begins during the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. Seven-year-old Thomas Moran finds himself accidentally embarking on a career in pick-pocketing that will eventually take him all over the United States as he grows to manhood and becomes a master of his dubious craft. His picaresque journey takes him through Prohibition and the Depression accompanied by an array of richly drawn characters desperately clutching at the crumbling American Dream: Italian and Chinese gangsters, con-artists, corrupt clergy, speak-easy bootleggers and most importantly Effie, the great love of his life - the woman who tries to save him from himself.

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More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 352
Edition: New
Publisher: Sceptre
Published: 16 Aug 2004

ISBN 10: 0340828455
ISBN 13: 9780340828458

Media Reviews
Alan Parker, distinguished director of Bugsy Malone, Midnight Express and The Committments, has turned his hand to fiction, with triumphant success ... Alan Parker has created a splendid character, an amiable, amoral rogue whom the reader cannot help rooting for in every episode of his deceitful odyssey.' - The Mail 'A gripping, entertaining and finely wrought story to match the best of his films' - Independent on Sunday 'Alan Parker, distinguished director of BUGSY MALONE, MIDNIGHT EXPRESS and THE COMMITMENTS, has turned his hand to fiction, with triumphant success ... Alan Parker has created a splendid character, an amiable, amoral rogue whom the reader cannot help rooting for in every episode of his deceitful odyssey.' - Mail 'A gripping, entertaining and finely wrought story to match the best of his films' - Independent on Sunday 'Memo to Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild: Please go on strike more often. Why? Well, while you were picketing and protesting, a director and writer, Alan Parker, decided to write a hell of a novel.' - Frank McCourt 'The Sucker's Kiss is a joyous, unapologetic romp through Prohibition America. It's as fast, funny and deft as its likeable narrator.' Julie Myerson, Harpers and Queen 'As he has demonstrated so prodigiously in the past, Alan Parker is a master of historical perspective. In THE SUCKER'S KISS he evokes early twentieth-century San Francisco with all the grit and ferment of a West Coast William Kennedy.' - T.C. Boyle
Author Bio
Director, writer and producer Sir Alan Parker wrote and directed his first film, BUGSY MALONE, in 1975. Other films include: MIDNIGHT EXPRESS; FAME and THE COMMITMENTS. Awards for his films include sixteen British Film Academy awards, eight Golden Globe awards and three Oscars. He holds a CBE and was knighted in 2002 for services to the British Film Industry. His latest film is THE LIFE OF DAVID GALE, starring Kevin Spacey, Laura Linney and Kate Winslet.