Author: Al Terego
Thursday, 19 November 1998 - 04:31 am |        |
"The Alienist" takes place in New York City in 1890, two years after the Ripper murders in Whitechapel. The book tells the fictional story of a Ripper like serial killer brutally murdering young boy whores. The killer is tracked by a leading alienist (a special in the legal side of psychiatry), a newspaper reporter, and two police detectives. The interesting part of the book is the uneasiness of the older police officers to the new techniques. I might add that the ending is what I think happened with the Ripper case.
Great book. I read it twice. Takes about 3 hours. |
Author: Nuvista
Thursday, 19 November 1998 - 04:31 am | |
| I totally agree with your review but I'm surprised you neglected to mention two of the most interesting characters in the book, Sara, the young woman trying to break into the police force and my personal favorite, Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt. They were just as essential as Kreizler, Moore and the Issaacsons. |
Author: Robert Crawford
Thursday, 19 November 1998 - 04:32 am | |
Regarding Al Terego's "critique" of Caleb carr's THE ALIENIST.
The book takes place in 1896, not 1890, and, as far as I'm concerned, the book shouldn't even be included on this Website, as it touches only tangentially on the Ripper murders in order to draw a parallel between it and Mr. Carr's fictional narrative.
Caleb Carr is a fine historical novelist who has written an important and highly interesting work within a genre that has practically been done to death, so to speak, a novel that *ought* to be made into a motion picture. Dr. Kriezler's (sic?) and the Issaacsons' profile of the killer makes more sense than those of real serial killers that have infested society.
I was sorry to see that Teddy Roosevelt didn't have a more catalytic role in the book, but, in retrospect, it's plain that Carr couldn't've involved TR more than he already did- He just would've gotten in the way. His portrait of the future President is right on the beam and Roosevelt's personality could've easily overwhelmed the novel and overshadowed a nonetheless excellent cast.
The many poignant moments in the book was Joseph's death, Kriezler's alleged breakdown and withdrawal from the investigation, and the death of Kriezler's maid, who had just begun to enjoy life thanks to the narrator, John Schuyler Moore. Moore, at first glance, would easily disappoint those looking for a strong male lead until we realize that Carr had presented him as a "morally weak" male lead, sort of an Ishmael. The good doctor, of course, was the "morally strong" male lead.
The end was weak, I thought, anticlimactic, and I'm not at all sure if the novel wouldn't've benfited from a more violent denouement. Still, it's a hell of an experience, and, in order to read the book in three hours, as Al did, he would've had to have missed the book's more subtle merits. This is a book worth savoring. |
Author: User
Thursday, 19 November 1998 - 04:32 am | |
| "The Alienist" is remarkably over-rated. While entertaining enough, Carr uses his knowledge of New York history the same way many second-rate film makers use dazzling visual effects to cloud the fact that they're offering one-dimensional characters and a slim plot. If you removed all the detail about who designed what building and the minutia about the menu items at Delmonico's what you'd have left is a B novel at best. If you haven't read it, then wait for the movie. |
Author: Robert
Thursday, 19 November 1998 - 04:33 am | |
| I also feel that the "Alienist" is high over rated. Sure it pulled me in but with I finished it, I was left with a sense a empitness. His attempt at well written literture was a failure. I will recommend this book to even an enemy. |
Author: Lesa
Thursday, 19 November 1998 - 04:33 am | |
| Totally absorbing!I think this is the best book I've read for a long time. There are too many crime writers around who succumb to boring formulaic crime story. Even Cornwell is beginning to bore me. I can't wait for 'Angel of Darkness' to come out in paperback. A must for all Crime readers. |
Author: Thomas
Thursday, 19 November 1998 - 04:34 am | |
| I thought this is one of if not the best books i have ever read. The characters were highly believable as well as entertaining. I enjoyed it from start to finish and would recommend it to everyone who likes crime solving books. |
Author: Mr. Harbinger
Thursday, 19 November 1998 - 04:34 am | |
| I was intrigued by this book upon first spotting its presence at my local bookstore. Then, after hearing it mentioned in my psychology class by my professor, I picked it up. I loved every bit of this novel. (As well as the follow-up) The setting was just superb, and brilliantly recaptured, bringing the book to life. The characters I felt were quite rounded, and with Roosevlt, Carr added a good touch. One that takes a bit of risk. The story was well-told, and enjoyed th eending. For myself, I didn't find the ending at all disappointing. Just a great read. I sincerely hope Mr. Rupert Jones is not harboring hopes of becoming a book critic one day. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but his is just out in left field. Way out there. |
Author: U
Thursday, 19 November 1998 - 04:35 am | |
| I have read this book, and "Angel of Darkness". They are both excellent. |
Author: U
Thursday, 19 November 1998 - 04:35 am | |
| I have read this book, and "Angel of Darkness". They are both excellent. |
Author: U
Thursday, 19 November 1998 - 04:35 am | |
| I have read this book, and "Angel of Darkness". They are both excellent. |
Author: John Hale
Thursday, 19 November 1998 - 04:36 am | |
| Development of a group of characters who will become legendary in the new millenium. For those impatient with the history of buildings and the contents of the menus,remember that the interest is "in the details",as Dr. Kreizler would say. |
Author: Mrs. Roger Kinney
Thursday, 19 November 1998 - 04:36 am | |
| I agree with Robert, and have the same comment to many of the opinions. Of course you were left with "an emptiness." Do you expect to be uplifted upon completion of a story about the likes of Jack the Ripper? The antagonist kills children that no one cares about - I am move by Carr's coveyance of an honest fact. As a student of literature, I find Carr's work outstanding. As much as I read, it is a pleasure to to be attracted as deeply as I am to his style. Those of you with objections should note that Mr. Carr is, in the case of this series, a fictionist, and will be the first to explain that his tales are merely projections taken from basic evidence. He knows the truth no more than you or I, but I certainly would trust his opinion more than yours. |
Author: Rotter
Sunday, 21 February 1999 - 11:33 am | |
A very over-rated book, as has been said, and the historical detail that was so emphasized in early reviews is drawn from just a handful of sources, and repeats errors contained in the sources. It is really just a contemporary slasher novel in antique dress. And as students of the Ripper will know, profiling was nothing new in 1896.
The interesting thing for Casebook fans is the chapter on Paresis Hall (actually Columbia Hall,on the corner of Bowery and E.5th St.),the notorious "gay bar" of the time. Since it was only a few blocks (less than 1/4 mile) down the Bowery from the lodgings of Dr.Tumblety, it seems like a place he would have been happy to frequent. |
Author: Mike Reed
Monday, 22 February 1999 - 04:40 am | |
| Basically what spoiled an excellent book is how they determined who the killer was out of thin air. Mike |
