Publication Date: 1994
About the book:
The plot centers around the ugly subject of the multiple murders of boy prostitutes in early 20th
century New York, but what makes the book so intriguing is one of its central characters, Laszlo
Kreizler, the titular 'alienist'. As author Carr explains, before the term 'psychologist' came
into usage, people who studied the pathology of the mentally ill were called 'alienists'. The
character of Kreizler seems a mix of Sigmund Freud, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, and
a strong dose of Edgar Allan Poe's Auguste Dupin thrown in for good measure. The reader follows
along with the deductive and psychological reasoning of this fascinating and frustrating character
as he uses the very beginnings of modern police-work techniques along with the emerging science
of psychology to track the killer. Other winning characters include a slightly fictionalized
pre-presidential Teddy Roosevelt and a woman struggling to break into the ranks of the police force
at a time women were barely allowed to be secretaries.
Caleb Carr wrote a sequel to this book called "The Angel of Darkness". While the
WriterGroupie has a copy of the sequel sitting on her 'to-be-read' pile, she has not yet had the
chance to read it.
Personal:
The Writer Groupie finally read this book this past year as she was on a
historical mystery kick for a while. She was very impressed by the extensive research that the
author clearly did to present such a rich and believable turn of the 20th century New York backdrop
to the story. The book is not a quick, easy read. It requires some concentration and thought, but
it's very much a pleasure to read in return for the investment of time and attention.
Related Links:
Author Caleb Carr does not currently have an official website.
|
