Like Clockers (1992) and his two other books set in fictional Dempsey, N.J. - Freedomland (1998) and Samaritan (2002)- Lush Life paints a richly textured portrait of city dwellers that would make Balzac and Dickens proud: The novel is populated with quick - witted cops, underprivileged teenage criminals, ethically challenged officials, and overworked and long -
suffering average joes.