“Alan Parker is a master of historical perspective. In The Sucker's Kiss, he evokes early twentieth-century San Francisco with all the grit and ferment of a West Coast William Kennedy.” —T. C. Boyle

“Alan Parker has written an engaging, entertaining romp. . . . His rogue's story is funny, ebullient, and ultimately poignant.” —Kevin Baker, author of Paradise Alley

“Memo to Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild: Please go on strike more often. Why? Well, while you were picketing and protesting, a director and writer, Alan Parker, decided to write a hell of a novel, The Sucker's Kiss. You might expect Sir Alan to take as his territory England, particularly North London. He might have written of highwaymen and he chose instead the forty-eight states. There goes his picaresque hero, Thomas Moran, goaded into pickpocketing by the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. After that the sky is the limit and two oceans his borders.” —Frank McCourt, author of Angela's Ashes

“Triumphant . . . Parker has created a splendid character, an amiable, amoral rogue whom the reader cannot help rooting for.” —Daily Mail (U.K.)

“A gripping, entertaining, and finely wrought story to match the best of his films.” —The Independent on Sunday (U.K.)

“A thrilling and enjoyable read, filmic and brilliantly paced. As you might expect, Parker is a gifted storyteller.” —Scotland on Sunday (U.K.)

“A vivid, colorful, fast-paced, literary, and cinematic work, full of strong characterizations and wonderfully textured prose.” —Nottingham Evening Post (U.K.)