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richardleis's review against another edition
4.0
Too disturbing to give 5 stars but highly recommended, if you can handle it. An incredible inside-the-head-of-a-psycho novel from 1952 that really seems to be more about the wasteland of America after World War II, beneath the fake veneer of the 1950s we think we know. And should be about this, or why would anyone write, or read, a novel with such gratuitous sex and violence against women? Don't answer that. Please. I feel dirty enough for having read it.
Not really spoilers, but below are some words on craft and construction that you may want to avoid if you want to go into the book completely oblivious:
What is most stunning to me about the book is the level of craft Thompson commands. He has the audacity to create a character who speaks in cliches, and it works! Chapter 18 is a jaw-dropping construction that begins with an exacting confession that repeats dreadfully, and Thompson seems to be enjoying slowly reeling the reader in after he has placed the fishhook in the reader's mouth. I knew what he was doing. Thompson was talking to me. HE was laughing at me! Daring me to keep reading. Admitting that he was drawing out this chapter on purpose. Stop it, Thompson! Stop it!
The book is also at times opaque; I'm not sure I understood everything. The final chapters are the least clear to me, but there are visions throughout that I seemed to be reading through dirty glasses, and Thompson put the dirt there himself, on purpose, because he knew exactly how he was going to treat the reader, and the reader was going to keep asking for it. So sick and awful. His captive audience. And then the chapter that implicates the reader directly. So chilling.
Not really spoilers, but below are some words on craft and construction that you may want to avoid if you want to go into the book completely oblivious:
What is most stunning to me about the book is the level of craft Thompson commands. He has the audacity to create a character who speaks in cliches, and it works! Chapter 18 is a jaw-dropping construction that begins with an exacting confession that repeats dreadfully, and Thompson seems to be enjoying slowly reeling the reader in after he has placed the fishhook in the reader's mouth. I knew what he was doing. Thompson was talking to me. HE was laughing at me! Daring me to keep reading. Admitting that he was drawing out this chapter on purpose. Stop it, Thompson! Stop it!
The book is also at times opaque; I'm not sure I understood everything. The final chapters are the least clear to me, but there are visions throughout that I seemed to be reading through dirty glasses, and Thompson put the dirt there himself, on purpose, because he knew exactly how he was going to treat the reader, and the reader was going to keep asking for it. So sick and awful. His captive audience. And then the chapter that implicates the reader directly. So chilling.
krobart's review against another edition
4.0
This classic novel about a sociopathic deputy sheriff in a small Texas town is completely fascinating. When he decides to use his relationship with a prostitute to get revenge for his brother's death, he becomes entangled in his own lies. Most of the fascination comes in seeing how he gets out of them.
See my complete review here:
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/tag/the-killer-inside-me/
See my complete review here:
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/tag/the-killer-inside-me/
bookfann's review against another edition
dark
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Torture
tomrrandall's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty good view inside the mind of a killer, but the climax and reveal were a little weak.
angeladobre's review against another edition
3.0
https://booknation.ro/recenzie-ucigasul-din-mine-de-jim-thompson/
mdrosend's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mikelchartier's review against another edition
2.0
An average of 4.12 rating here as of this writing. Why? Are you all afraid that the Thompson/Kubrick hipsters will sick their elitist nonsense prescience on you?
Perhaps others inferred a deeper story from this muddled mess, but what happened here? Did anybody actually notice that there was absolutely no character development throughout the whole thing? Or perhaps the hazy insight into a murderer's mind was meant to make little sense and allude to something greater than the sum of its parts, of which was a small sum. Pass.
Perhaps others inferred a deeper story from this muddled mess, but what happened here? Did anybody actually notice that there was absolutely no character development throughout the whole thing? Or perhaps the hazy insight into a murderer's mind was meant to make little sense and allude to something greater than the sum of its parts, of which was a small sum. Pass.
abuginthewild's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
humanwave's review against another edition
3.0
I nearly didn't read this book after a dear colleague went to great lengths to spoil the plot for me, but I was still ultimately intrigued after he finished his ruining rant by solemnly shaking his head and admitting that it really 'wasn't a very nice book at all'.
Initially I empathised with poor old Lou, being a relentlessly underestimated, malevolent manipulator of men myself, but ultimately there just wasn't enough insight into his reasoning for committing such heinous acts to keep me interested.
Initially I empathised with poor old Lou, being a relentlessly underestimated, malevolent manipulator of men myself, but ultimately there just wasn't enough insight into his reasoning for committing such heinous acts to keep me interested.