- Paperback: 512 pages
- Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd; Reprint edition (7 Oct 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0141018550
- ISBN-13: 978-0141018553
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.6 x 3.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 441,873 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Crippen
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
"Starred Review." Had Charles Dickens been around to turn his talents to fictionalizing the classic Crippen murder case, the result might well have been close to this superb, multifaceted novel from Irish author Boyne ("The Thief of Time"). The crime, a cause co?=lo?=bre in 1910, is probably best remembered for its denouement, which featured a race across the Atlantic by Scotland Yard Insp. Walter Dew in pursuit of his suspects aboard a cruise ship. Boyne brings all the characters in this drama to life, skillfully shifting perspectives and using flashbacks and flash-forwards. While his depiction of Hawley Crippen, a quack and self-proclaimed doctor with a disturbing taste for butchery, and his mistress is admittedly speculative, the author's imaginings of their inner lives and motivations are plausible. His version of the events of the night when Crippen's harridan wife met her gruesome death is convincing, despite the lack of historical support. Boyne is to be commended for his ability to alternate between Wodehousian humor and Edwardian noir. "(Mar.)"
-- PW "Publishers Weekly starred revview" (01/01/2006) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
-- PW "Publishers Weekly starred revview" (01/01/2006) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Book Description
The spectacular third novel from the bestselling author of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
To be honest, I can't agree with the other reviewers of this book. While it was enjoyable in a lightweight kind of way, I didn't think it was nearly as well written as it could have been. For a start, there was way too much about Crippen's early life. Most of that could have been cut out without in any way weakening the story. Quite the reverse, since the man portrayed in those early pages was not the man who appeared later in the book, and there appeared to be no explanation for the change. Either characther would have made for a fine novel, but the two together simply grated. Then there was the flitting from one character's point of view to another's within a single scene. That technique drew the intensity out of the novel for me. It wasn't anyone's story: it was just a narrative. Many little things broke the Edwardian spell for me also, such as the ship's officer who wanted to be back home for the birth of his child (remember, this is supposed to be 1910), and the use by characters of words like "psychopath". To be honest, the whole thing read like a reasonable first draft which needed a good editor and a couple of serious re-writes. I found it a disappointment, although it might be an enjoyable read on the beach this summer.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I picked this book up at the airport for something to read by the pool. It is the best read I've had in a long time. It was so well written that I'm now searching for more books by John Boyne. We've all heard about the infamous Dr Crippen but Boyne allows us to see him in a different light - I almost felt sorry for the poor chap - what an awful wife Cora Crippen was!
Thanks for a great read, I couldn't put it down and never actually got into the pool!
Thanks for a great read, I couldn't put it down and never actually got into the pool!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Normally I read military non-fiction but every now and then I take a break and read historical fiction and thrillers. I was in a bookshop recently and was grabbed by the cover of this particular book. I knew a little about Crippen and thought that this would be a change. I can honestly state that this is without doubt the best book I have read in years and I am very very hard to please. It was superbly written and the myriad stories were expertly interwoven. The novel jumps about from the ship Dr Crippen and his lover are escaping on to his early life and marriages, back to the discovery of the body, forwards to the ship and so on back and forth. As it does the author never losses the thread in fact the intricacies of the plot are enhanced by this style.
If you haven't purchased this book already got out and do so now or put it on your Christmas wish list. This is simply a must read from a superb new talent with a great surname.
If you haven't purchased this book already got out and do so now or put it on your Christmas wish list. This is simply a must read from a superb new talent with a great surname.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Interesting and surprisingly well done
This is an interesting book - based on the story of Hawley Harvey Crippen, but set in fiction, this book explores the early (hypothetical, fictionalised) early life of Crippen and... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Cat
A little long winded but it's not that bad!
Thanks to Transworld for sending me this book as part of Transworld Reading Challenge.
I started this book last year and had to put it to one side but it was really easy... Read more
I started this book last year and had to put it to one side but it was really easy... Read more
Published 5 months ago by B. Robinson
Super read
Read as part of the Transworld Reading Challenge.
Written by John Boyne, the author of The Boy in The Striped Pyjamas. Read more
Written by John Boyne, the author of The Boy in The Striped Pyjamas. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Deb L
Enjoyable and well crafted
A well written historical novel which kept me wondering how much was based on fact, as I didn't know too much about the story of Dr Crippen. Read more
Published 6 months ago by M. A. Armstrong
Crippen not that Gripping
As part of the "Transworld Book Group" I picked this book to review as it sounded like a good read as i've just started getting into Murder Mystery books. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Nikki Malam
How did he make such an interesting story so dull?
Hawley Crippen was convicted of murdering his wife Cora and hanged in 1910. The story around his case includes lots of fascinating details which must have kept the newspaper... Read more
Published 7 months ago by elkiedee
I can see why some people like it, and why some people don't.
Synopsis:
July 1910, the grisly remains of Cora Crippen, music hall singer and wife of Dr Hawley Crippen are discovered in the cellar of 39 Hilldrop Cresent Camden. Read more
July 1910, the grisly remains of Cora Crippen, music hall singer and wife of Dr Hawley Crippen are discovered in the cellar of 39 Hilldrop Cresent Camden. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Catwomanthegeek
A really good read...
I was delighted to be given this book in the Transworld Book Group Reading Challenge 2011.
The story opens in July 1910 with passengers boarding the SS Montrose in... Read more
The story opens in July 1910 with passengers boarding the SS Montrose in... Read more
Published 7 months ago by jaffareadstoo
Crippen ... a different look at well known events; enjoyable
`Crippen' is a book that faces a difficult task; that of dealing with a well known true crime story and making it different, dramatic, and believable. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Tashkins
Brilliantly-organised to create a thillling read
I'm not a 'true crime' reader, but I do enjoy a good whodunnit or a strong crime thriller and this was right up my street. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mrs. B. S. Kemp
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