- Paperback: 612 pages
- Publisher: Time Warner Paperbacks; New edition edition (5 Oct 1995)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0751512176
- ISBN-13: 978-0751512175
- Product Dimensions: 16.8 x 10.9 x 3.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,187,216 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
'Carr's stylish tale is brilliantly researched and written with commanding elegance and supreme confidence.' IRISH INDEPENDENT 'a vivid picture of fin-de-siecle New York.' TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT 'This first novel, superbly written and transfixingly gripping, is an extraordinary achievement.' SCOTSMAN 'Superb. Too good to leave on a beach.' MAIL ON SUNDAY
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
Reissue of this ground-breaking historical whodunnit, in which 1890s New York is as much a character as the investigators
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gripping stuff!,
By
This review is from: The Alienist (Paperback)
A corker of a book! Carr's obviously done his research here (and judging from 'the devil soldier' he's more than capable). The combination of history, history of forensics and forensic psychology, profiling, etc., all mixed together with a healthy dose of psycho/sociopath on the loose is gripping stuff. How much is factually accurate, I know not but I'm not going to argue the point. His characters are likeable and fun, albeit a rather eccentric bunch; his villian is villianous and his plots twist and turn like twisty turny things. I first borrowed and read this several years ago, then bought a copy for myself - I've now lent that to a friend and not seen it since so will be replacing mine again soon. It will be one that remains in my collection to be read again and again.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not really a page turner but…,
By
This review is from: The Alienist (Paperback)
An average crime story without surprises and twists. When I think about that book it reminds of a phrase I heard a long time ago: ‘Everything has been said before!’ Nothing in the story plot is surprising or exciting. The chase after the murder is a straightforward plot and not even the end of the story offers interesting or surprising moments. Why would you read that book? Because of the vivid and historically well researched descriptions of New York and its people in 1896. The book is also an interesting read if you enjoy forensics and the history of it. However, the character development is kind of odd and not very realistic in some instances. For example, the forensic team investigating the murders consists of a woman and a black man. Back at that time, the level of involvement of these characters would have been rather impossible or at least very different. I got the impression the author tried to be too politically correct. Another odd part is Kreizler’s mysterious childhood which influences his decisions in some cases. This part of the story is not sufficiently enough addressed and contradicts with the overall approach of explaining everything in great detail. All in all an average crime story and nothing you have to read.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Triumphant,
By
This review is from: The Alienist (Paperback)
One of my better 'bargain bin' discoveries, this one. I picked it up for a mere 20% of the cover price.Let's get to the point: what makes for a good character in a book or film? A character that you can really identify with? One that you really care about? Caleb Carr will show you the answer to that question: each of the characters in this book has a history, a background of events that caused them to become who they are. Result: as the reader, you actually give a damn about what happens to them. You understand the basis for the decisions they make, the actions they take, the feelings they have, and ultimately what becomes of them. The plot is well thought out, with a few sub plots and red herrings thrown in for good measure. Mr Carr's writing style is perfect for the job too: reminiscent of old classics from the 19th century, yet fast-paced enough to keep the reader interested. The setting of old New York is vividly brought to life, street by street, building by building, and the communities it houses are portrayed with sympathy and realism. Truly Caleb must have spent many a long night doing his research. The conclusion is logical and satisfactory - no need for a hackneyed twist in the tail or a cliched moral lesson. I read somewhere that he's sold the film rights for a large sum of money. Good for him. This book will make a great film, particularly if the producers put the emphasis on quality drama, beautiful cinematography and competent acting, rather than hollywood glitz or gore... I read one review on Amazon.co.uk that gave the book a poor review due to it's lack of fear and tension. I feel that's missing the point somewhat. If you want horror, go read Stephen King or one of his ilk. This book is about criminal psychology - what makes a man into a killer? And as such nobody - but NOBODY - has done a better job than Caleb Carr.
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