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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
This kind of thing is not at all my cup of tea. I would never have picked up this book if Paul F. Tompkins hadn't mentioned it on Stay F. Homekins.
I can't really explain why it's so compelling, although if I had to guess, I'd say it's because it's the kind of thing that the people who like this kind of thing did not find the things they like here, which left the door wide open to me finding the things I liked.
The first section is harrowing, even though one already knows what has happened (the big picture of it, anyway), and despite the fact that it is quite matter-of-fact and makes no attempt to sensationalize the details of the boys' movements in the days after the murder and before they are found out, and there's absolutely no "cliffhanger-ing."
The whole thing is meticulously researched, from the weather to the ongoing elections—and the class politics in the decades leading up to them—to the Penny Dreadful Panic thread that runs through the trial. Summerscale does a lot of inference in places, but without overstepping the limits of the evidence she has at her disposal. Her exploration of Robert's experiences at Broadmoor, in Australia, and in serving in WWII is just as in-depth as the crime and trial.
The author only ever enters into the story in the epilogue, and in that case, it's necessary to convey how the story came full circle. There's potential for drama and pain there, but she handles that part of the story with the same understated approach that carries the rest of the book.
Really enjoyed this.
I can't really explain why it's so compelling, although if I had to guess, I'd say it's because it's the kind of thing that the people who like this kind of thing did not find the things they like here, which left the door wide open to me finding the things I liked.
The first section is harrowing, even though one already knows what has happened (the big picture of it, anyway), and despite the fact that it is quite matter-of-fact and makes no attempt to sensationalize the details of the boys' movements in the days after the murder and before they are found out, and there's absolutely no "cliffhanger-ing."
The whole thing is meticulously researched, from the weather to the ongoing elections—and the class politics in the decades leading up to them—to the Penny Dreadful Panic thread that runs through the trial. Summerscale does a lot of inference in places, but without overstepping the limits of the evidence she has at her disposal. Her exploration of Robert's experiences at Broadmoor, in Australia, and in serving in WWII is just as in-depth as the crime and trial.
The author only ever enters into the story in the epilogue, and in that case, it's necessary to convey how the story came full circle. There's potential for drama and pain there, but she handles that part of the story with the same understated approach that carries the rest of the book.
Really enjoyed this.
I'm surprised that someone thought to write a story on this man. Yet, as we learn from reading, I guess sons murdering their mothers is very rare.
After reading the epilogue, I kind of wish the author would have written the entire book, less so as a story directly about Robert, but more about her investigation into learning more about Robert. The Epilogue was the best part of the story. I liked when she wrote in the first person, told us how she gathered some of the information, and her thoughts on the story. The ending was very touching.
It took me a really long time to read this book, I won this through a goodreads giveaway over a year ago. There was a lot of information to take in. At times, it felt like it dragged, but for a non-fiction book with so much information to share, there were parts that read quickly. Learning of the murder was very interesting, and the case. The story dragged a lot when Robert was in Broadmoor. I would recommend the story because I think a lot can be learned from looking closely at the lives of other human beings.
After reading the epilogue, I kind of wish the author would have written the entire book, less so as a story directly about Robert, but more about her investigation into learning more about Robert. The Epilogue was the best part of the story. I liked when she wrote in the first person, told us how she gathered some of the information, and her thoughts on the story. The ending was very touching.
It took me a really long time to read this book, I won this through a goodreads giveaway over a year ago. There was a lot of information to take in. At times, it felt like it dragged, but for a non-fiction book with so much information to share, there were parts that read quickly. Learning of the murder was very interesting, and the case. The story dragged a lot when Robert was in Broadmoor. I would recommend the story because I think a lot can be learned from looking closely at the lives of other human beings.
I read this book on the recommendation of a friend. It started off strong, got weak in the middle, went completely off the rails at the end, and then thank goodness I read the epilogue and author's note at the end because *THAT* was what brought the book full-circle and made it make sense.
Ms. Summerscale's research is impeccable; no complaints.
The book is an interesting look at the power of redemption and the how environmental changes can change people.
Ms. Summerscale's research is impeccable; no complaints.
The book is an interesting look at the power of redemption and the how environmental changes can change people.
As I was reading "The Wicked Boy" I went through a plethora of feelings about it.
It gave me ideas for some research of my own that I would like to do into how penny dreadfuls two centuries ago compare to video games of today.
I found it interesting to see how different and yet also similar our concept of justice, psychology, and childhood is now compared to that of the late 1800s - early 1900s.
I was left with the urge to read a compilation of penny dreadfuls, though I am unsure if such a thing exists.
I was confused as to why certain parts of this book were included, assuming that it was just to add weight to the book rather than the story. (The fact that the image signature was repeated annoyed me, what was the point in seeing those pictures twice?)
At a certain point, I had decided that this wasn't so much a story about Robert or a "wicked boy" but rather a look at life, the justice system, and crime for the working-class English and Australian people of the 18/1900s.
I was partially right.
This is definitely a look into that world, and it is about the life of Robert Coombes, but it is certainly not the story of a wicked boy.
It gave me ideas for some research of my own that I would like to do into how penny dreadfuls two centuries ago compare to video games of today.
I found it interesting to see how different and yet also similar our concept of justice, psychology, and childhood is now compared to that of the late 1800s - early 1900s.
I was left with the urge to read a compilation of penny dreadfuls, though I am unsure if such a thing exists.
I was confused as to why certain parts of this book were included, assuming that it was just to add weight to the book rather than the story. (The fact that the image signature was repeated annoyed me, what was the point in seeing those pictures twice?)
At a certain point, I had decided that this wasn't so much a story about Robert or a "wicked boy" but rather a look at life, the justice system, and crime for the working-class English and Australian people of the 18/1900s.
I was partially right.
This is definitely a look into that world, and it is about the life of Robert Coombes, but it is certainly not the story of a wicked boy.
A really wide-ranging and interesting look at a specific crime case from the late 1800's, following the young criminal all the way through to the end of his life and beyond - including the interesting glimpse into an amazingly forward-thinking mental asylum.
dark
informative
slow-paced
I abandoned this one at the 1/3 way point. It started out well enough, but I found that I just didn't care to find out who/what/why. I'm under the presumption that we know whodunnit going in—and if I'm wrong, then the author did a terrible job of building doubt—so the retelling of the story had to hold my attention in some other way than intrigue, and it didn't. My attention wandered so much I started a different book.
Some interesting information about the time period, but not at all what I was expecting. The discussion of the murder and trial make up easily less than a third of the book and the author was a bit heavy handed with her interpretations.
adventurous
challenging
informative
medium-paced