Book Review: The Alienist
One of my Top 10 favorite fiction books of all time. Caleb Carr is amazingly accurate in his portrayal of forensic technique evolution and his story-telling ability is nigh unparalleled.
Book: "The Alienist"
Author: Caleb Carr
Available: hardcover or softcover
Background: In 1994, Caleb Carr, wrote "The Alienist," a harrowing historical fiction novel that takes place during Theodore Roosevelt's term as a New York City Police Commissioner. Carr, a contributing editor to MHQ: The Quarterly Journal of Military History and frequent writer on military and political affairs, wrote this breakout novel which quickly sky-rocketed to the top of the New York Times Bestseller List.
Summary: This fictional remarkably historically accurate account of America's first serial killer takes place in 1896 in New York. Laszlo Kreizler and a team of hand-picked experts track a serial killer who is ruthlessly murdering child prostitutes in the inner city of New York. The story, seen through the eyes of reporter John Schulyer Moore, unfolds as massive corruption is being rooted up from the Police Department by Theodore Roosevelt and the team must operate under extreme secrecy, avoiding the criminals they are trying to protect, the police whose cause they are working for and the serial killer himself, who will kill them if they get in his way.
Mad Parts:
+ The team's first encounter with the serial killer amongst the rooftops. It is chilling and unexpected.
+ Anything with Theodore Roosevelt in it! His scenes are funny and well-developed using existing accounts of his personality.
Mad Props:
+ For well-researched historically accurate methods and settings. The geo-political issues to the police methods are perfectly presented to craft a world that you can set foot in.
+ For a distinctive main character that the reader can root for. Laszlo Kreizler is strong, capable, smart, adventurous and, most important of all, human.
+ For a narrator that the audience can relate to. Our ignorance of methods, settings, people becomes his ignorance of it and we are able to learn more that way.
Mad Slops:
+ For the grisly murder scenes.
+ For the few curse words.
+ For the world of the flesh trade in New York City. This world is definitely dark and gloomy.
Mad Minister's Verdict: This book is a really good read, but the subject matter makes it one I can't recommend to those under 18 or who are faint of heart (No, it's not that kinda' subject matter). Carr more than ably captures the flavor and feel of turn of the century New York and his mastery in building frightening scenes and a rousing chase is clear-cut.
Mad Points: 4 outta' 5.