Comparing two distinct versions of Melbourne's criminal underworld, Chopper Read's book details his childhood and early immersion into gang culture, while the other text explores various crimes committed by different gangs.
In this text, I will compare the novel to the movie Underbelly, which was written by Peter Gawler and directed by Tony Tilse. Underbelly depicts the competition between two rival gangs as they strive for complete control in the underworld. Both texts feature characters who are free to make their own choices, even though many of those decisions have significant consequences for their lives. In the novel Chopper Read, the protagonist recounts that his parents believed he was mentally insane shortly after his birth. He was then taken to a mental hospital at the age of 7 for treatments, none of which proved successful.
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At the age of 15, Mark Copper Read became involved with the Melbourne underworld. The infamous Melbourne gangland wars were triggered by Alphonse Gangitano, also known as "The Black Prince of Lygon Street", who was a member of the Carlton Crew gang. He murdered a criminal named Greg Workman at a St Kilda party for no apparent reason. Although two witnesses could have testified against Alphonse, he managed to convince them not to, and got away with the murder. This incident set the tone for the subsequent chaos and self-destructive path that Alphonse himself would embark on. Whenever Mark Copper Read committed a crime, getting caught was not a concern.
Chopper's satisfaction stems from achieving his goals, reflected in the time he intervened to stop a girl from engaging in unsavory activities for drugs. He advised her to leave the city an
stay away for good. However, Chopper received a 5-year sentence after inflicting severe burns on a drug dealer's feet. This is in contrast to the individuals depicted in Underbelly.
When it comes to committing a crime, individuals tend to believe they only face consequences if they are caught. Often, they hire hitmen to do their dirty work. Personally, I prefer the Melbourne underworld depicted in Mark Chopper Read's factual novel rather than the entertainment-focused Underbelly series. While both discuss the same topic, Underbelly seems like a simplified version of the Melbourne underworld aimed at a younger audience.
During the time when arrangements were being made to hire assassins to eliminate their adversary, Chopper was present in a basement where drug dealers had their feet burned. In my opinion, the Chopper Novel is superior because he writes from his own experiences, whereas Underbelly is intended for a wider audience. Chopper wrote his novels out of boredom while serving time in jail and quipped "I couldn't even spell and now I am international bestseller". Although I thoroughly enjoy the Underbelly TV series, I am aware that a significant portion of it is fabricated solely for monetary gain...
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