The Perfume Burned His Eyes Hardcover – April 3, 2018

This is more of a novella from the copy I received anyway! It was blunt, dry, direct and almost read like a bullet point report of one’s childhood account. I was so expecting great writing, but alas …

I bough this book because the title comes from the first Lou Reed song I learned on guitar. I was also lucky enough to meet Lou who was the epitome of polite despite all you read about him. I didn’t want this book to end, I could have read another 1000 pages of this kind easily. Imperioli also knows his Lou Reed, as other Lou fans who read this book will pick up on the many references to facts of Lou's life. It’s a dark coming of age story, and it’s a page turner. Kudos to Imperioli, I hope he’s got some more bullets in the writing chamber because I will be the first to read anything this guy writes. Highly recommended.

When I heard that Michael Imperioli was working on a novel, I was interested. He wrote some of the best episodes of The Sopranos, after all. But when I heard it would be a book about a teenager befriending Lou Reed, there was no way I couldn't check it out, since I'm a huge Lou Reed fan. Still it was a curiosity, and I didn't know how well it would work. I have to say: I think it worked really well. Imperioli's narrator has a really compelling voice and there is a lot of awkward teenage yearning and sadness that infuses the book, along with a strong anchor in late 70s and early 80s NYC. The dialogue is very well written and compelling, and the pacing has a youthful urgency that reminds me a bit of On the Road. I finished this slim novel in one cross-country plane ride and really enjoyed it. Ask yourself: would you like a 1980 version of Catcher in the Rye, but written by Jack Kerouac, and starring Lou Reed? Then you will love this book.

Every page rang true and seemed deeply felt and strikingly remembered. A sensitive New York in the 70's coming of age tale, I didn't find a false note anywhere in the book. And I would know, having lived through that period in New York, although I was a good deal older than the protagonist here. Some things had changed from when I was his age, and I guess others never do. Several passages are exciting and frightening, much of it wry and funny and all of it very New York. Imperioli is as specific and real as a writer as he is as an actor and that's saying quite a bit. While much of the book was perceptive and profound about growing up, falling in love, finding out who one is and so on it was also a quick, entertaining read that I finished (more or less) in one enjoyable sitting.

Fantastic writing. Transcendental and transformative in depth and storytelling. A one sitting read. Totally captured late 1970s NYC.We know Michael Imperioli is an incredible actor - now, add in, he can write.Anxiously awaiting his next stand alone effort.

Honestly, I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. I have to admit to buying it more out of curiosity than any real expectations (I had just finished binging The Sopranos). This book is in no way formulaic or trite. The premise is refreshingly unique, the characters are 3-dimensional and the story keeps you turning pages, even well after you should have gone to bed. I enjoyed it so much that, when I finished it, I immediately searched for, and was disappointed not to find, additional books by Mr. Imperioli.

A highly entertaining and quick read! As a 1) Sopranos fan and 2) Velvet Underground fan, I knew I’d like this book. But you don’t need to be either of these to enjoy this story. That said, Mr. Imperioloi clearly is a BIG fan of Lou Reed and presents a side of Lou that (I hope) actually showed itself.

Not great literature. An okay story but nothing that interesting. Certainly not for anyone who is not a fan of Lou Reed; it won't make any sense.

We bought this as a birthday gift and the review from the recipient is as follows:This book is absolutely amazing. It’s the best fiction book I’ve read in about ten years and I’m loving it. I’m near the end and don’t want it to finish. It’s just so well written and the storyline is riveting; if the writer didn’t know Lou Reed (when he was at his worst e.g. making bad records and using heroin), his imagination is wildly believable and spot on. The book is even greater in that in athough Reed’s role in the book is a major one, he’s still a bit part player in the storyline.

This is a great book which brings 70's NY to vivid life, the protagonist's time with Lou Reed is really well imagined. The story takes a swerve which is very relateable. However, why he has to take a swipe at the Ramones at the end while setting out Reed's credentials as the original punk is beyond me and really annoyed me. Like, who cares who started it? Overall though, well worth the read.

Thoroughly enjoyed this coming of age book. Well written through an adolescent’s eyes.

Michael would seem to have a man crush for Lou Reed, it was a perfect read for a perfect day.