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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
I've been very torn about this book throughout my read through, and if I could have given it two and a half stars, I would. In all honesty I found the book a little long-winded at times, particular in the early chapters, when the author spends a lot of time discussing what Dennis Nilsen's home town was like in the fifteenth century. That seemed extremely irrelevant to me, and at times it felt like the author was simply trying to fill pages.
With that said, once I got to Chapter 6, I definitely started to enjoy the book a lot more. This is where it begins to tell the stories of the murders, and I found it absolutely fascinating to read Masters' interpretations alongside actual transcripts of Nilsen's writings: you truly are able to see into his mind. Although Masters does a lot of interpretation, he does explain this well, and you are invited to make your own interpretations of Nilsen's writing. I would warn anyone, however, that this book is not exactly un-put-downable. There are times where it almost reads like a textbook, with Masters' analysis becoming very complicated, particularly towards the end of the book, when he analyses Nilsen's crime in light of psychiatric, philosophical and religious views.
All in all, if you're looking for an exciting story full of blood and gore, this might not be your book (although there is one chapter I found particularly gruesome). If you're interested in Psychology and in reading an author's interpretation of why Dennis Nilsen did what he did, this is probably a very interesting read. I personally found myself somewhere in between, enjoying parts of his interpretation but also finding myself frustrated or bored with it in some areas, hence my ultimately low rating. I wouldn't re-read this book, but it was interesting to see Nilsen's crimes analysed in a rather academic manner.
With that said, once I got to Chapter 6, I definitely started to enjoy the book a lot more. This is where it begins to tell the stories of the murders, and I found it absolutely fascinating to read Masters' interpretations alongside actual transcripts of Nilsen's writings: you truly are able to see into his mind. Although Masters does a lot of interpretation, he does explain this well, and you are invited to make your own interpretations of Nilsen's writing. I would warn anyone, however, that this book is not exactly un-put-downable. There are times where it almost reads like a textbook, with Masters' analysis becoming very complicated, particularly towards the end of the book, when he analyses Nilsen's crime in light of psychiatric, philosophical and religious views.
All in all, if you're looking for an exciting story full of blood and gore, this might not be your book (although there is one chapter I found particularly gruesome). If you're interested in Psychology and in reading an author's interpretation of why Dennis Nilsen did what he did, this is probably a very interesting read. I personally found myself somewhere in between, enjoying parts of his interpretation but also finding myself frustrated or bored with it in some areas, hence my ultimately low rating. I wouldn't re-read this book, but it was interesting to see Nilsen's crimes analysed in a rather academic manner.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
slow-paced
Killing for Company is a remarkable book! It stirred up so many weird feelings inside me. Disgust, fascination, pity, confusion and hovering above it all was curiosity. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Every new part drew out new and insidious elements of his life and crimes.
Now, this book has been selling like hot cakes in my little shop. I think it is because there is a netflix show. I haven't seen that, as I'm waiting to indulge in it with my partner, but I don't doubt it is remarkable.
If you've ever felt isolated from others. If you've ever felt like you would do anything to connect with someone, anyone.... some... thing, even... Then this book paints the image of the broadest extend of that emotion. The loneliness that, paired with trauma, breeds extreme and violent ends.
The language wasn't as dumbed down as I'd expected. It was thoughtful, balanced and subversive. If I'm every caught with bodies under my floorboards, I'd be honoured to have Brian Masters write my biography.
A well-written and harrowing exploration of Dennis Nilsen's mind before, during, and after his atrocious murder-spree in London.
It was like I was in a trance at the beginning of the book. Justifying the murders he committed in my head. And then when it got past the bits where Des is describing the events of his childhood and life… it was like the fog had lifted 😅 any sympathy I felt for him was gone! Of course he knew what he was doing. Just because he’s letting people know what he was thinking and talking about his life experience doesn’t mean he isn’t a psychopath!
Loved how the author remained very neutral throughout the book. He never once called Des evil and a psycho. That was just my own conclusion 🙈
Loved how the author remained very neutral throughout the book. He never once called Des evil and a psycho. That was just my own conclusion 🙈
This was interesting until the pseudoscience in the last couple of chapters - Freudian theories, hugely outdated comparisons of murderers and Autistics, and some really sexist and homophobic bits. Author went off the rails in a massive way.
Killing for Company is a remarkable book! It stirred up so many weird feelings inside me. Disgust, fascination, pity, confusion and hovering above it all was curiosity. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Every new part drew out new and insidious elements of his life and crimes.
Now, this book has been selling like hot cakes in my little shop. I think it is because there is a netflix show. I haven't seen that, as I'm waiting to indulge in it with my partner, but I don't doubt it is remarkable.
If you've ever felt isolated from others. If you've ever felt like you would do anything to connect with someone, anyone.... some... thing, even... Then this book paints the image of the broadest extend of that emotion. The loneliness that, paired with trauma, breeds extreme and violent ends.
The language wasn't as dumbed down as I'd expected. It was thoughtful, balanced and subversive. If I'm every caught with bodies under my floorboards, I'd be honoured to have Brian Masters write my biography.
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced