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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
I think I overhyped myself reading about the book before actually reading it. Went in expecting a masterpiece and I left with a great quality book, so i can't give it a full 5 stars. Nevertheless this is an incredible book, the setting, the protagonist, the description of the places and people really hangs over everything you read, everything and everyone is a hostil entity that makes a bad situation, even worst.
Everyone points put how this book is a criticism of UK in the 80's and they are not wrong, how things are described It sounds like a postapocaliptic neoliberal dystopia.
Anyway, go read it
Everyone points put how this book is a criticism of UK in the 80's and they are not wrong, how things are described It sounds like a postapocaliptic neoliberal dystopia.
Anyway, go read it
dark
reflective
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
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Thank god I watched so much British TV over the last 25 years because I wouldn’t have understood any of the slang in this book otherwise.
This had a unique story about a detective in 80’s Britain solving a murder with only the victims voice recordings and journal entries for leads.
It was enjoyable but a very slow read, not only because of the 80s British slang, but also because of the authors unique writing style. It took me about 5 pages before I could settle into the story every time I read it.
One thing that was very odd was, the detective seemed to be an upstanding officer with strong values and good character, but his methods of gathering information from Barbara seemed very immoral and a conflict of interest. Not sure if that’s just because of the different values of the 80’s, or if it was written to show a specific flaw in the inspectors character.
This had a unique story about a detective in 80’s Britain solving a murder with only the victims voice recordings and journal entries for leads.
It was enjoyable but a very slow read, not only because of the 80s British slang, but also because of the authors unique writing style. It took me about 5 pages before I could settle into the story every time I read it.
One thing that was very odd was, the detective seemed to be an upstanding officer with strong values and good character, but his methods of gathering information from Barbara seemed very immoral and a conflict of interest. Not sure if that’s just because of the different values of the 80’s, or if it was written to show a specific flaw in the inspectors character.
Totally implausible storyline. Worst of all was the dialogue. Wooden and like something a novice writer would produce. I have no idea how it managed to garner so many good reviews.
Over the years several friends have enthusiastically recommended Derek Raymond to me and now I've finally read one of his novels I'm at a complete loss as to why. This is not particularly well written (especially the dialogue), full of tired old detective fiction cliches and stereotypes and often laughable in its attempts to shock with its deviant characters. It's also unashamedly misogynistic.
Dreadful. You'd be far better off sticking with the American Noir writers that are clearly Raymond's key influences. This dross cannot hold a candle to Chandler, Hammett and Thompson.
Dreadful. You'd be far better off sticking with the American Noir writers that are clearly Raymond's key influences. This dross cannot hold a candle to Chandler, Hammett and Thompson.
dark
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Some seriously hard-boiled detective noir. Dark without veering into self-parody.
He Died With His Eyes Open by Derek Raymond
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I had a feeling about this one, I desperately wanted (needed?) to read the book from the second I heard about it, yet when I finally bought a copy I allowed it to sit on my shelf for at least two months. I'm glad I did, it's an incredible piece of noir writing and to have devoured it instantly would've have been a massive disservice to Derek Raymond.
Part way through I was reminded of Ross Macdonald's famous quote about Raymond Chandler, how "he was a slumming angel" and that term really feels like an apt description for the victim in this novel, the protagonist of this novel and the writer of this novel.
Raymond dropped out of the famous Eton public school and followed a career path that resembled Charles Bukowski more than any number of sub-royal upper class Brits that he might have considered his peers. He moved to France and lived on the margins of society in both England and France and it is this dual experience and knowledge that imbues the two main characters with such insight and purpose.
Our nameless hero taking a journey in to the downward spiralling life of Charlie Staniland via his words - written and spoken on to casettes - and then literally in to the life he had chosen to lead as he comes face to face with the filth, cretins, lowlifes (and also the decent hardworking people who had fallen through the cracks of Thatchers Britain.) It's a journey that almost goes beyond noir, it's black, it's bleak and it's truly powerful stuff. As the Evening Standard is quoted on the cover of this version, Raymond is "unafraid to face the reality of man's evil" and it is this fearlessness that puts the novel in to the literary category of crime writing, takes it that step further in to greatness.
The lead character is from the old school pulp noir territory, down these dark oppressive roads a man must walk, not because he chooses to but because he must type stuff. A loner because he chooses to be, taking chances with his life to ensure justice for those who otherwise wouldn't receive it yet with a worldview that never quite reaches the depths of despair no matter what the situation.
Having grown up in England I may have a greater appreciation for some of this stuff than those who didn't, there are aspects that are very much part of "Little England" that may not be so easily understood by others but that aside this is still a fabulous piece of work that should be appreciated by all of us with a penchant for the darkest of noirs and who enjoy taking a journey in to the depths of human depravity with a hardboiled hero at our side.
For me this is David Goodis (at his very best) territory but with a British slant on it, take this wonderful piece of description for example: "both armies were attended by secretaries who wittered blondely away at each other across tepid gin and tonics," the cynical worldview we expect from a Marlowe or a Spade delivered with an accurate dig at the very British way of serving alcohol.
A remarkable work from a very talented man, it makes you care for somebody whose name you never hear mentioned, his clear affection towards the drunken mess of a man at the centre of the mystery is evident and if you don't care for Charlie Staniland or his life you will at least care that there is somebody out there desperate to bring his killers to justice.
“I have taken a terrible beating from the truth and feel tamed, wise and desperate, as if I had taken a short route to wisdom through a mirror, and cut myself badly on it as I passed through.”
For those of you who look forward to movie adaptations there was a French movie in 1985 called On ne meurt que deux fois starring Charlotte Rampling which I am yet to see and a quick look on imdb suggests that a new TV series is in the works based on the five book sequence, so something to look forward to.
Further viewing suggestions:
This Is England I.D. Meantime
Further reading suggestions:
The Red Riding Quartet by David Peace
Originally posted at blahblahblahgay
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is a strange book. It starts off as procedural, then bit by bit the case devolves into obsession. The writing is beautiful, the dialogue snaps, and I really like the manner of the main character - I didn't realize he didn't have a name until I saw that someone had mentioned it on a thread. For a moment I thought, no, I know his name. It's... But of course I didn't. It's pretty amazing that an author can create a well-drawn character like that and not only never mention his name, but not make it obvious. It's also very unusual how we get to know the victim. Just as for the detective, you start to feel that Charlie is alive, and still a functioning character. At first I thought it would be a trick to get information out, but it really, really wasn't.
The book has everything I look for in noir: gritty city, dire characters, independent detective, human weakness. On the other hand, it is completely different than any other detective books I've read. I'll be looking for more!
The book has everything I look for in noir: gritty city, dire characters, independent detective, human weakness. On the other hand, it is completely different than any other detective books I've read. I'll be looking for more!