Robert Deane Pharr (1916–1992)

Giveadamn Brown means well but is really a lackluster snoozefest with more boring points that will have your mind straying than solid plot points that will make you pay attention to the story.

Larry Giveadamn Brown is a country boy from the south. Through a stroke of luck and misfortune he winds up becoming a big time Heroin Dealer in Harlem of all places when his Uncle Harry's gets set up and killed. Having not grown up in the criminal life he has to learn the ropes in real time as all of Harry's enemies want their little piece of turf they feel is now rightfully theirs with Harry out the picture.

It's supposed to be a dark comedy but I found little to laugh about trying to get through it. The entire premise is unrealistic, especially the part about a country bumpkin for the most part somehow being a natural at the Heroin trade with no formal training or exposure in a city like Harlem. Can't even get past that and the terrible decisions that in real life would never work for Giveadamn. There also isn't a satisfying conclusion. In fact the ending is more suitable for a very bad criminal after school special than a heroin tale.

This is Pharr's 4th book, so if you're a fan of his read it. If you're not, you can skip it.… (meer)