by John Silvester
Since Victorians will still have to wait to see the TV series of Underbelly, this book, which is the basis for the show, provides a good alternative in the meantime. Although the size of the book may be off-putting, the story of Melbourne’s Gangland War is entertaining and well-told and it is easy to sit down and breeze through several chapters.
The authors are journalists who have conversed personally with many of the leading figures in the story. Many small anecdotes about the personal lives of the gangsters are interwoven with the narration of events over a period of roughly 10 years during which more than 30 lives were lost and it seemed that a new killing occurred every other week.
The story is told with a wry voice which is amusing and highly engaging. It’s easy to become lost in the dark, fantastic criminal world inhabited by murderers, drug-barons and suave, well-dressed ‘gentlemen’. Not only do the authors recount the actual events, they also provide smart and interesting commentary on their possible motivations and thoughts.
I would recommend this book for readers who enjoy ‘true-crime’ stories or who are just curious about exactly what occurred during the bloodshed in Melbourne in the 90s. (Jing Jing 2008)
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Posted Tuesday 29 September, 2009. Updated Tuesday 29 September, 2009.
