Dear Gangster...: Advice for the Lonelyhearted from the Gangster of Love

by Dave Berry and Gangster of Love

Book Overview

He's the Ann Landers of anomie, the antidote for sniveling sensitivity, a caustic balm for our broken hearts--he's the Gangster of Love. This collection of his columns features questions from anxious readers, and the Gangster's more or less helpful replies--which are loaded with quirky counsel on sticky problems and endless anecdotes.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140245154
• ISBN13: 9780140245158
• Release Date: February 1996
• Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.0" x 7.7"

Customer Reviews

pretty much my favorite book.

oh man, i've read all the classics, all the weird modern new-age books, all the firsts, the lasts, and every published harry potter book, and let me tell you, this book right here, as of right now, because of where i am in my life, and because of my excessive comma use and run-on sentences, this book is my favorite. The gangster is so incredibly wise. I wish he had a real column where i could write to him every week, and trouble him with my troubles. If he didn't yell at me for not sending a photo or writing on the back of a menu, then he would probably bestow a full page of wisdom. He might even relate to me one of his own experiences, or give me all the answers i need in a single word, but he might not. GODBLESS -Nicholas

Where has the Gangster gone?

Hey, buy this book. I can't make it any simpler than that, ya chowderheads.But to elaborate...the Gangster of Love provides us with the kind of advice we really need in the 20th century wars of romance. But will we listen to his wise counsel? He is a prophet without honor in his own country, a lonely voice crying out in the wilderness. Also, he has a strange fascination with the Harvey Keitel movie, "The Bad Lieutenant". He does sympathize with the wounded, the outcast, and the lonely. Burned once too often, he understands your pain and wants to tell you, "It's too late for me, save yourself." But you won't listen, will you? And so you're gonna take the fall.His material sorta reminds me of Hunter S. Thompson, but maybe that's just me.Sadly, other than this one book, I've never found any other evidence of the Gangster, though I've searched and searched. In these troubled times, we could use his insight.I'll just quote from the end of one of his replies to a reader inquiry to give you a taste of his work:'And crying's just not good enough anymore, is it? Not if no one hears it. Not if someone doesn't say, "Please stop crying, I'm sorry I made you cry, I never want to see you cry again." And months and years really do matter now. Somebody's counting. And who's gonna kiss you on New Year's Eve? Because at midnight your time is up, and baby, it's cold outside. It was supposed to be warm.'Just go buy this book.

smart, dead-on, and side-splittingly funny

This is not only the funniest book I can remember reading, it's also the most honest and true-to-life. I can't believe there hasn't been a sequel. Dave Barry (author of the introduction) should definitely tell the Gangster to write a whole 'nother volume.

Love it, miss it every day

I read this book a couple of years ago, and absolutely adored it. Like all books I love, I foolishly loaned it to someone, and now cannot track it down. If you have it, treasure it. If you have it and hate it, give it away! I can't remember a book that ever made me laugh like this one. At the end, I turned back to page one. A first! Cheyenne in Toronto

If it wasnt for this book, Id still be missing that looser.

I bought this book right after I got dumped last summer. I was looking for something to cheer myself up. The first time I read it, It made me laugh and I stopped crying. The second time through, I started saying "wow, so true!" at least once every three pages. The third time I read it, I had everything in perspective and didnt feel so bad anymore. It still makes me laugh, I reccomend it to everyone. Its the only "advice" book that ever gave me really good advice, or made me feel any better. Even if you arent "lonelyhearted" you WILL laugh your head off