Why read Vicious?

Book cover of Vicious

Book description

In the fall of 1970, Lou Reed walked away from rock and roll. He left the Velvet Underground, and New York City, returning to Long Island. He moved in with his parents and got a job as a typist at his father’s accounting firm. He told friends his career in…

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Literary fiction

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Why read it?

1 author picked Vicious as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

JL Civi

Author

One of the most creative premises I’ve encountered in a long time: After leaving the Velvet Underground but before starting his solo career, Lou Reed spends a year working for his father’s accounting firm and gets wrapped up in a murder mystery.

Lyrics, characters, and situations from throughout Lou Reed’s entire catalog set the stage and add another layer to the story for fans of music and mystery alike. It’s the exact type of music-based fiction/non-fiction hybrid sub-genre I love but have trouble finding examples of.

From JL's 3 favorite reads in 2023.