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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
I enjoyed this book but I don’t think I can give it 5 stars because of the content. Out of respect to the victims I just couldn’t give it a high rating.
However, this book has a very story like vibe despite being non-fiction. Brian Masters tells the story of Dennis Nilsen with a flourish, and with words from Des himself entwined into the pages it felt very lyrical but also very real.
He was a very real man who killed very real people.
It doesn’t celebrate his life, it looks at why he did what he did and the reasons behind it. There’s no sugarcoating. There’s no sympathy. This made this book an extremely interesting but difficult read.
Some of the chapters are extremely lengthy, but that’s a good thing as there is a lot of information in this case. However, I do feel that sometimes the author voices his own opinions of Nilsen which makes it feel a bit personal.
I wanted to read this book after watching the Des drama and I’m really glad I picked it up as I know a lot more about what happened now.
I don’t think I’ll re-read it though.
Once was enough.
However, this book has a very story like vibe despite being non-fiction. Brian Masters tells the story of Dennis Nilsen with a flourish, and with words from Des himself entwined into the pages it felt very lyrical but also very real.
He was a very real man who killed very real people.
It doesn’t celebrate his life, it looks at why he did what he did and the reasons behind it. There’s no sugarcoating. There’s no sympathy. This made this book an extremely interesting but difficult read.
Some of the chapters are extremely lengthy, but that’s a good thing as there is a lot of information in this case. However, I do feel that sometimes the author voices his own opinions of Nilsen which makes it feel a bit personal.
I wanted to read this book after watching the Des drama and I’m really glad I picked it up as I know a lot more about what happened now.
I don’t think I’ll re-read it though.
Once was enough.
This book is well-researched and comprehensive. The book spends quite a while detailing Nilsen's background, which could've been a little more concise, but other than that, I found this book really interesting. I also used the audio, which was really good and I'd recommend it.
There were a few points that referenced 'necessary' but casual and humorous methods of questioning Nilsen about his crimes and use of the term 'retarded' in relation to the development of one's psychological state, which didn't sit well with me. However, for a book written in 1985, I would've expected more of this.
Final note: poor Bleep. She was loved by Nilsen and seeing her picture in the photos was sad, especially since she was put to sleep after his arrest, (presumably because she had belonged to a murderer?). Sad!
There were a few points that referenced 'necessary' but casual and humorous methods of questioning Nilsen about his crimes and use of the term 'retarded' in relation to the development of one's psychological state, which didn't sit well with me. However, for a book written in 1985, I would've expected more of this.
Final note: poor Bleep. She was loved by Nilsen and seeing her picture in the photos was sad, especially since she was put to sleep after his arrest, (presumably because she had belonged to a murderer?). Sad!
informative
medium-paced
Dennis Nilsen was born in Scotland in 1945. Nilsen was a reserved child, with a close relationship with his grandfather. His emotional problems grew upon the death of his grandfather, and upon the discovery that he was gay. Nilsen joined the military, where he excelled. Nilsen began killing people pretty frequently, mostly boys and men, mostly homosexual ones. He would wash and keep the bodies inside his home for days or weeks before eventually disposing of them down the toilet or other drains. This disposal tactic and the stench of his apartment and his person would lead to the discovery of his crimes.
This book goes into pretty decent detail about the life and crimes of Dennis Neilsen. If you are interested in learning about him, this would be a good book to pick up. His case is featured on a couple of Netflix documentaries, as well as several podcasts. This book was listed on the reading list for The Last Podcast on the Left, if anyone still listens to that.
This book goes into pretty decent detail about the life and crimes of Dennis Neilsen. If you are interested in learning about him, this would be a good book to pick up. His case is featured on a couple of Netflix documentaries, as well as several podcasts. This book was listed on the reading list for The Last Podcast on the Left, if anyone still listens to that.
This book is brilliantly put together, but like many (maybe even most) biographers, Brian Masters is pretty magnanimous when it comes to Nilsen's character. I get his conscious choice to omit the use of terms like 'monster' or 'evil'. I agree, they're counterproductive and frankly unnecessary...and though aspects of Nilsen's life and circumstances warrant shreds of empathy, he was also a very disturbed, blackout-drunk alcoholic with frightening, escalating psychosexual mental health problems.
And on a technical note, the chapters were incredibly long, especially the final chapter which is basically a psych dissertation.
The best & worst part of the story of Dennis Nilsen and this bio were his dog Bleep, knowing how loved she was and that there was a pic of her in the photos collection, but then hearing that she was put to sleep after his arrest for seemingly no reason other than that she had belonged to a murderer.
And on a technical note, the chapters were incredibly long, especially the final chapter which is basically a psych dissertation.
The best & worst part of the story of Dennis Nilsen and this bio were his dog Bleep, knowing how loved she was and that there was a pic of her in the photos collection, but then hearing that she was put to sleep after his arrest for seemingly no reason other than that she had belonged to a murderer.
an interesting read, except when it was boring; i don’t think i’ll repeat this experiment again without really looking into the contents of whatever book i try
thoughts:
- very outdated psychological explanations that added next to nothing to the reading experience
- paragraphs of nilsen’s own words (unwelcome)
- trial chapter was definitely the best in terms of blending objective fact with an understanding of emotions in the room
- i think this was as respectful to the victims as one can be when most of them are nameless; not an expert on this subject though
- overall a mixed bag of interest, disgust, and boredom; i don’t think masters is a great author or everything would’ve been incorporated much better
thoughts:
- very outdated psychological explanations that added next to nothing to the reading experience
- paragraphs of nilsen’s own words (unwelcome)
- trial chapter was definitely the best in terms of blending objective fact with an understanding of emotions in the room
- i think this was as respectful to the victims as one can be when most of them are nameless; not an expert on this subject though
- overall a mixed bag of interest, disgust, and boredom; i don’t think masters is a great author or everything would’ve been incorporated much better
challenging
dark
informative
medium-paced
challenging
dark
slow-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Kidnapping, Murder
I feel like it took me forever to finish this book, and I did find myself taking lots of breaks from it. I don’t know if it was the content or if I’ve just exhausted myself on the case. However, this is the best insight to Dennis Nilsen that I’ve come across. Brilliantly researched and plenty of raw information right from Nilsen himself. My only issue is some of the outdated psychological information, but that’s to be expected.
A well researched and comprehensive book on Dennis Nilsen from a man who spent a long time writing and visiting Des both before his trial and after sentencing. Nothing can make sense of what this man did but this book shows with in-depth detail the confusion and horror that is Dennis Nilsen and the sad sad story of the innocent victims and their families who’s lives he destroyed.