I loved this easy to read book. I loved the fun language that put you on the scene. I loved how the detective was interwoven with some common places and acquaintances that were involved in the different adventures throughout the book. It was most delightful.
Another Southside
A most authentic and deep Chicago story
“Another Southside” authentically and lucidly brought me back to the Greater Chicago Area where I grew up, reviving memories of similar characters, cultural norms, nuances of places and experiences from young adult years doing business in the city. Being an artist, I appreciated and related to his occasional forays into the intersection of fine art and fraud. From the reading room this afternoon where my mom is just starting this book, I heard “Jim, I gotta tell you – this guy can write”…..and she’s an expert in literature, ancient poetry and such. By now I am familiar with Del Staecker’s writing and style, and this has all the good stuff, the relatability of characters, laughs, deep reflection and everything one could hope for in great storytelling that I had encountered in his previous book “Tard”. Again, I was sorry to run out of book to read with this one.
The author’s apparent knowledge of the southside of Chicago and his ability to convey that
Loved the book. Have read a number of books by this author and am never disappointed. The book is easy to read and is very exciting!
An entertaining, insightful, tongue-in-cheek noir that should be a tv series
Another Southside by Del Staecker is a series of episodes in the life of Jake Thompson, a near-retirement Chicago police department detective who was relegated to serve his remaining active duty days in the Administrative Investigations Unit – the place where misfit cops are exiled to handle petty cases and stay out of sight and mind. The book reads like a television series with cliffhangers and endings that do not disappoint. It is one of those books you can’t stop reading – for the excellent writing, the believable action, the keen insights, and the memorable characters, good and bad.
Just about every case Jake takes on starts at Jimmie’s Diner, Jake’s makeshift office, hang-out, and sometimes home. This is “base camp” for Jake and for the book. From there, the stories take you through Chicago’s Southside to the Caribbean islands, Hong Kong, Italy and back. It’s a dizzying ride with ample character-driven commentary about the human condition, the nature of organizations, human needs, and the fragility of one’s existence.
Several stories stand out. My favorites are “Blind One-Legged Johnny” and “Resurrection Mary.” The first is based on a true story; the second reflects a long-time Chicago area ghost story that many Chicagoans I know claim is true. There are other standouts, too numerous to mention, many of which may grace your own list of favorites. One of the most satisfying aspects of the book is how Staecker connected the stories, one to the other, all the way to the last (“The End As A Beginning”), which, as the title suggests, brings the reader full circle back to the beginning.
This was a truly entertaining read, and one that will stay with me for a long time. It also is a book that I will reread several times to fully understand its anthropological insights into our culture, our times, and the nature of humans in our society.