Friendly to read, but not exceptional

That is a big "yeah me," that emerges from this reading. Rocked on the ropes a little novel is less than 200 pages, which was shortlisted for the Prix SNCF du Polar, which has been appreciated and praised by all persons having read. The rather dark theme of boxing (we must also say that the reverse would have been strange), attracted me; I must say that this book is not the first that I read dealing with this sport ... I wanted to see how this new author would turn this story.

Not surprisingly, the atmosphere found in this book is such that all the stereotypes imagine. A dark world, black to the extreme, violent men who fight to fight, or just to forget. A city of immigrants, thugs, poverty, and the desire to get out to show the possibility of escape. Until then, we can find all this information in most dealing with boxing novels, such as that of François Prunier in Focus fist. I am not criticizing anything that, because the world of boxing is generally described and imagined the same way as do these two authors.

What quite disturbed me was the lack of action in the ring. I had the impression of seeing much our protagonist in his environment, surrounded by his problems on a boxing ring trying to practice said sport. At the same time, our young Tony briefly explains the benefits that boxing has provided him in his life, by making slight comparisons between his past and one present. Although the changes in respect of the man himself see enough, boxing did not teach him much ... if not the means to be able to fight.

Tony is very mysterious. It emanates from his person a face, which greatly intrigue the reader. He speaks little, often to talk nonsense, out, we know, in the background, he has a superior intellect to the other inhabitants of his city. He remains humble, normal to everyone, do not try to put on, to show that it is above all ... and for that, I found it very dignified. You can also receive a share of his feelings (like what it is!) When he meets this young Clara at the exit of a nightclub ... we can also see that he is very loyal friend, lonely and sympathetic to all, and he is ready to risk his life for anyone who likes quite enough. Unfortunately, I did not at all attached to his character, I stayed outside, like a spy came observer's every move.

After the plot that develops Jérémie Guez has something to shudder. Already the whole novel is dark, unhealthy history will tell that our author will add even more fear and terror to the reader.

We are used to see the bands mentioned in an outer frame with theirs. While here, Jeremie Guez immerses us in the middle in the heart of dealer, drug traffickers, chipped, SDF, killers, no doubt, thieves, and many other men equally thugs as those mentioned above.
It will look in particular at a funny traffickers, which we do not know very well the role, but towards which we know, because of the rage that stems from its pores, it is a very important in this environment. Consequently many actions, with equally striking and violent events than each other.

No tip does hope shines through the lines of this thriller. On the contrary, evil is going crescendo, and continues to intensify.

Swung the ropes is a very very very very dark book, not to put in the hands of all. Its history is still poignant, it can saddens the reader, who himself is a witness of violence and misfortune of the young man and his city.
I liked the general history, but I would have appreciated more if it was more substantial.