By far the gentlest and most soulful of Richard Price’s books, this is a quiet profile of four characters whose lives are upended by the collapse of an apartment building. It’s a book of small, intimate scenes, quiet conversations, good intentions, and full of forgiveness and grace. And the book is often so funny, but its humor is grounded in the sadness of everyday life. Not much happens in the book, yet it adds up to something so consequential. In many ways, this book has nothing to do with plot - it’s all about small revelatory moments that take their time revealing themselves.

Richard Price is so generous towards his characters, with such empathy, and this is such a sweet, beautiful novel.

Many thanks to Farrar, Straus and Giroux and NetGalley for the advance review copy.

A really great story with great dialog. I really felt what the characters were feeling!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Lazarus Man is Richard Price's tenth novel. Like his others, it is set in New York City. The novel follows the lives of several people impacted by the tragedy of a building collapse in East Harlem. Price's novels have a good sense of drama and scene (which makes sense as he also writes for television). In this novel, the scenes move so quickly it seems like the writing is better suited to television. And, like a good Seinfeld episode, most of the characters are utterly human and often unlikeable. And most are keeping secrets - some more than others. The reveal is a good, slow burn.
Thank you to NetGally and the publishers for the ARC.

Price captures the world of a Harlem neighborhood. He is one of the few writers who writes dialogue that feels real. I didn't love this quite as much as Lush Life or Clockers, but it is another great Price novel which is better than 98% of what's out there. The novel continually rotates amongst a series of characters, which gives the novel an enjoyable fast-paced style. It's always nice when Price takes a break from his TV/film demands to give us a new novel.

While some of the characters didn't fully grab me, the dialogue is enjoyable throughout.

I received a free e-copy of the book in return for an honest review.

The novel follows the lives of four diverse individuals in the aftermath of a building collapse in East Harlem in 2008. Anthony found alive in the rubble of the building. Felix a young man with a camera. Royal who runs a funeral parlour. Mary a veteran city detective.
This is a street-level story depicting the characters actions and reactions after a five-storey tenement collapses killing at least six people. With vibrant street scenes and fully fleshed out characters, Richard Price has once again taken us to a place where we needed to go, despite our apprehension and concern for our safety. In a sense, this is a story of community, personal growth and taking care of our own. I loved all of the characters, especially Anthony, Mary and Felix. I was rooting for them all the way! 5 out of 5 stars!

Richard Price has still got it! Perhaps his best since Clockers, this is gritty and immersive and features a cast of characters you will absolutely believe, I loved the fundamental idea and particularly felt Felix was deeply written and felt. Price’s prose never disappoints and he makes the reader look at less pleasant aspects of life without blinking.

Very strong characterization, fantastic dialogue, a nice plot twist toward the end. Richard Price should be treasured for his work on television (The Wire/The Night Off) and novels. This is one to savor as you explore the intersecting lives of several characters after the tragedy of a building collapse.