Reviews

The Man from the Diogenes Club by Kim Newman

bent's review against another edition

3.0

Dragged a bit, in parts. At times, it felt like a real slog. Despite that, there were a lot of interesting ideas and when you got into the stories, they were usually well thought out. The banter between the characters is chock-a-block with British pop culture references which feels forced at times, as if they just exist to confuse those who aren't versed in the culture or the era. It makes for boring reading. After I finished, I noticed a grudging glossary at the back with an obnoxious introduction by the author. I recommend skipping this - and skipping most of the sections where the characters banter. This is Newman at his most self-indulgent.

Beyond that, it's a good book.

tclinrow's review against another edition

4.0

I really liked this book and the way it was written, and it could have easily been a 5 star read but - and I respect that it probably matched the way of thinking for the era in which it was set - there was a lot of sexist commentary and outdated language. For me as someone who grew up while it was already an outdated way of thinking it was a little cringy. Otherwise the stories themselves were excellent and engaging, so I would still recommend it... but maybe with a pinch of salt.

optimus's review

4.0

It's hard to rate this cause its more of a collection of stories/cases with Richard Jeperson in the main role as the titular "Man from the Diogenes Club".

So im going to rate each stories individually then get an average score.

"The End of the Pier Show" ⭐⭐⭐
A good introduction to the Diogenes Club and the supernatural aspect of Newman's world and its characters,cool imagery.
"You Don't Have To Be Mad..."⭐⭐
Nice second case,this is more of a psychological mind bender,interesting characters.
"Tomorrow Town"⭐⭐
Basically a murder in an utopia that's not an utopia,more of a unsustainable world(town),nothing truly memorable.
"Egyptian Avenue"⭐⭐⭐
It was fun,liked it due to the egyptian theme,memorable and quick.
"Soho Golem"⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I loved this much the most. A tale of love and probably obsession and how it could go wrong when you love someone who is wrong and a completely bad to the core.The Golem is really tragic and a sad character.
"The Serial Murders"⭐⭐
Eh,its murders that happen on a tv series and then in real life in the same time and in the same way by some voodoo.
Really not that good and not memorable.
"The Man Who Got Off the Ghost Train"⭐⭐⭐⭐ and a half
I really liked this one. Its really spooky and disturbing.A great ghost story.Really claustrophobic and it could be a great horror movie. Just don't understand the whole Vanesa part of the ending.I do but not completely.
"Swellhead"⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What can you say about a story of a super intelligent man who is so smart and has such a strong will, that by the sheer force of his own will he almost changed the whole reality in his image, and had a secret base on the moon created and kept secret by his will?
Bloody brilliant.

So the average grade is 3.3
but i liked some of the stories so much that in the end i have to give it 4 stars.

flying_monkey's review

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

The Man from the Diogenes Club is a whole collection of stories featuring Newman's groovy, damaged Romani psychic detective, Richard Jepperson, and various mini-skirted and skinheaded sidekicks. They are hard to describe but imagine The X-Files made for British TV in the 1970s with an extra dash of Austin Powers and a touch of Moorcock's Jerry Cornelius. It somehow all works and at times can be quite serious, especially as Jepperson ages over time. But they still remain enjoyable if basically forgettable.