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The Night of the Ripper
set during the reign of Queen Victoria and follows the investigation of Inspector Abberline in attempting to apprehend Jack the Ripper and includes some famous Victorians such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle within the storyline. Historical fiction featuring Jack the Ripper, Arthur Conan Doyle, George Bernard Shaw, and, yes, the Elephant Man.
288 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1984
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968 people want to read
About the author
Robert Bloch
1,083 books1,262 followersRobert Albert Bloch was a prolific American writer. He was the son of Raphael "Ray" Bloch (1884, Chicago-1952, Chicago), a bank cashier, and his wife Stella Loeb (1880, Attica, Indiana-1944, Milwaukee, WI), a social worker, both of German-Jewish descent.
Bloch wrote hundreds of short stories and over twenty novels, usually crime fiction, science fiction, and, perhaps most influentially, horror fiction (Psycho). He was one of the youngest members of the Lovecraft Circle; Lovecraft was Bloch's mentor and one of the first to seriously encourage his talent.
He was a contributor to pulp magazines such as Weird Tales in his early career, and was also a prolific screenwriter. He was the recipient of the Hugo Award (for his story "That Hell-Bound Train"), the Bram Stoker Award, and the World Fantasy Award. He served a term as president of the Mystery Writers of America.
Robert Bloch was also a major contributor to science fiction fanzines and fandom in general. In the 1940s, he created the humorous character Lefty Feep in a story for Fantastic Adventures. He also worked for a time in local vaudeville, and tried to break into writing for nationally-known performers. He was a good friend of the science fiction writer Stanley G. Weinbaum. In the 1960's, he wrote 3 stories for Star Trek.
Bloch wrote hundreds of short stories and over twenty novels, usually crime fiction, science fiction, and, perhaps most influentially, horror fiction (Psycho). He was one of the youngest members of the Lovecraft Circle; Lovecraft was Bloch's mentor and one of the first to seriously encourage his talent.
He was a contributor to pulp magazines such as Weird Tales in his early career, and was also a prolific screenwriter. He was the recipient of the Hugo Award (for his story "That Hell-Bound Train"), the Bram Stoker Award, and the World Fantasy Award. He served a term as president of the Mystery Writers of America.
Robert Bloch was also a major contributor to science fiction fanzines and fandom in general. In the 1940s, he created the humorous character Lefty Feep in a story for Fantastic Adventures. He also worked for a time in local vaudeville, and tried to break into writing for nationally-known performers. He was a good friend of the science fiction writer Stanley G. Weinbaum. In the 1960's, he wrote 3 stories for Star Trek.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
May 31, 2012
Bloch was obsessed with Jack the Ripper. His short story, "Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper" is considered one of his best short stories and you trekkies might remember his screenplay for Star Trek in which he makes an interstellar traveling alien out of the Ripper. This novel titled Night of the Ripper gives Bloch a chance to expand his ideas about Jack in a more down to earth aspect. He adds a number of historical figures in the mix like John Merrick aka The Elephant Man as he create his own theory to Jack's identity. Yet Bloch also appears to be ruminating on the excessive creativity humankind can exhibit when they commit atrocities upon others. Each chapter starts with a blurb describing some historical incident of cruelty. This is one of Bloch's best novels this side of Psycho. Four and a half stars.
January 30, 2025
“Why do human beings behave with such inhumanity; why do they enjoy inflicting pain, delight in death?” Valancourt Books has brought back another classic of the genre. Well done.
September 12, 2021
This is an absolutely bonkers novel, in-- almost entirely-- the best ways. Robert Bloch wrote so much other than the novel "Psycho," and had immense talent, which is on full display here. Much of what is explored and haunts his "Psycho" is present here; what depravity and violence lies under the seemingly civilized and common face of the world, particualrly when it comes to serial murder. "Night of the Ripper" is at once a meticulsouly researched exploration of the unsolved murders attributed to the person known as Jack the Ripper in the Whitechapel district of London in 1888; and, also, a wildly invented historial novel that incorporates the such real life London characters into the narrative like Oscar Wilde, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, John Merrick and others.
The atmosphere of fog choked streets where people lived in danger and the utmost poverty is thick here, and the novel excels at being a wild, creepy who done it tale, trying to solve one of history's most trying enduring mysteries. While a Jack the Ripper story involving Oscar Wilde and the Elephant Man John Merrick sounds-- and is-- off the wall, the characters of Wilde and Merrick are surprisingly thoughtfully dealth with. There is silliniess in here, in the later act of the novel, but all of that is overcome with an extremely engaging historical mystery horror novel.
The atmosphere of fog choked streets where people lived in danger and the utmost poverty is thick here, and the novel excels at being a wild, creepy who done it tale, trying to solve one of history's most trying enduring mysteries. While a Jack the Ripper story involving Oscar Wilde and the Elephant Man John Merrick sounds-- and is-- off the wall, the characters of Wilde and Merrick are surprisingly thoughtfully dealth with. There is silliniess in here, in the later act of the novel, but all of that is overcome with an extremely engaging historical mystery horror novel.
May 25, 2009
I wonder if there's a sillier novel out there about Jack the Ripper. This one includes Oscar Wilde AND the Elephant Man, so I doubt it. I appreciated the epigrams illustrating torture and barbarity across all cultures and throughout all history; I appreciated the author's point that Jack the Ripper is not an isolated freak incident, but rather one case of many in the epidemic of human savagery. But the chapters are so short, the result is a distracting amount of epigrams, so these and the chapter length both detract from the story and interrupt the momentum. I was genuinely surprised by the reveal of the killer; I don't know if I buy the reasoning behind the inspector's decision not to publicize the person's identity.
October 6, 2025
Creative satisfying take on the famous villain Jack the Ripper.
Loved the incorporation of historical truths that intertwined with the creative fictions of this. Enjoyed the plot progression and shifts and ultimately how it ended. Would definitely recommend this if you have interest in Jack the Ripper or enjoy a good historical fiction or gaslamp story.
Loved the incorporation of historical truths that intertwined with the creative fictions of this. Enjoyed the plot progression and shifts and ultimately how it ended. Would definitely recommend this if you have interest in Jack the Ripper or enjoy a good historical fiction or gaslamp story.
July 13, 2017
Фиксацията на Блох към Джак Изкормвача обхваща голяма част от активния му творчески период. Темата го е вълнувала с години и е направил доста проучвания по въпроса.
Още през 1943 във „Weird Tales” излиза разказът „Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper”, който е превеждан и на български. Там Блох развива теорията, че Елегантния Джак е сатанист и кървавите му убийства са приношения, които му носят безсмъртие и той продължава делото си в Америка.
През 1954 пише пъпл криминалето „The Will to Kill” в което един ветеран от корейската война може би следовник на Изкормвача, оставя след себе си обезобразени женски трупове по маниера на Джак.
През 1967 в антологията „Dangerous Visions” на Харлан Елисън, двамата си партнират с умопомрачавощо кървавия дублет „"A Toy for Juliette” – Блох и „The Prowler in the City at the Edge of the World” – Елисън, където втория е запален от манията на колегата си. Двамата пренасят Изкормвача в едно мрачно бъдеще, в което той извършва касапница пред която филмът „Saw” стои като епизод от сънчо.
И накрая през 1984 излиза тази книга.
Романът преразказва правдиво събитията хвърлили в шок цял Лондон през 1888, през погледа на един американски студент по медицина, който случайно се оплита в разследването на убийствата от Уайтчапъл. Блох рисува изключително живо и исторически подковано градът и събитията, като включва хитроумно всички теории за нощния убиец, както и реални знайни и незнайни личности от това време.. На края, след като е разпалил до край любопитството ни, , в последните 100 страници със спиращо дъха напрежение и шеметен екшън, излага своята безумна теория за личността на Изкормвача.
Чудесна криминална, хорър, историческа мистерия, подкована с огромно количество познания - жива и вълнуваща. И ужасно, ужасно пристрастяваща.
Препоръчвам.
Още през 1943 във „Weird Tales” излиза разказът „Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper”, който е превеждан и на български. Там Блох развива теорията, че Елегантния Джак е сатанист и кървавите му убийства са приношения, които му носят безсмъртие и той продължава делото си в Америка.
През 1954 пише пъпл криминалето „The Will to Kill” в което един ветеран от корейската война може би следовник на Изкормвача, оставя след себе си обезобразени женски трупове по маниера на Джак.
През 1967 в антологията „Dangerous Visions” на Харлан Елисън, двамата си партнират с умопомрачавощо кървавия дублет „"A Toy for Juliette” – Блох и „The Prowler in the City at the Edge of the World” – Елисън, където втория е запален от манията на колегата си. Двамата пренасят Изкормвача в едно мрачно бъдеще, в което той извършва касапница пред която филмът „Saw” стои като епизод от сънчо.
И накрая през 1984 излиза тази книга.
Романът преразказва правдиво събитията хвърлили в шок цял Лондон през 1888, през погледа на един американски студент по медицина, който случайно се оплита в разследването на убийствата от Уайтчапъл. Блох рисува изключително живо и исторически подковано градът и събитията, като включва хитроумно всички теории за нощния убиец, както и реални знайни и незнайни личности от това време.. На края, след като е разпалил до край любопитството ни, , в последните 100 страници със спиращо дъха напрежение и шеметен екшън, излага своята безумна теория за личността на Изкормвача.
Чудесна криминална, хорър, историческа мистерия, подкована с огромно количество познания - жива и вълнуваща. И ужасно, ужасно пристрастяваща.
Препоръчвам.
December 5, 2022
Reading Robert Bloch is such a pleasure. The Night of the Ripper was fabulous. Bloch touches upon nearly every suspect ever named as a potential Jack the Ripper before proposing his own unique solution. (Which I am of course not going to share with you-read the book.) This is a clever suspenseful novel. Yes be warned it is gory (naturally considering the subject) so this may not be your cup of tea. I have no idea if this is still in print but it is worth seeking out.
January 23, 2022
Like the graphic novel I read not too long ago (From Hell), this is a work of fiction by Psycho author Robert Bloch that theorizes on the identity of the infamous Jack the Ripper.
This definitely wasn't as dry as From Hell but, at the same time, I neither hated this novel nor loved it. I like the fact that Bloch is definitely old-school horror because it just has that feel, that style. I dig it. On the other hand, who he believes Jack the Ripper was? It just sort of left me feeling all waaa-waaa-waaaaaaaaaaaa.
The most disturbing thing about this read was that, at the beginning of each chapter, Bloch lists a date, a person/people, and a place before detailing what I'm going to assume is a real-life account of torture and horror. I never paid attention in any history classes so I'm just assuming this is factual information. Each little blurb at the start of each chapter just got progressively more and more horrifying.
And what did I walk away with? I still have no clue who Jack the Ripper actually was!
This definitely wasn't as dry as From Hell but, at the same time, I neither hated this novel nor loved it. I like the fact that Bloch is definitely old-school horror because it just has that feel, that style. I dig it. On the other hand, who he believes Jack the Ripper was? It just sort of left me feeling all waaa-waaa-waaaaaaaaaaaa.
The most disturbing thing about this read was that, at the beginning of each chapter, Bloch lists a date, a person/people, and a place before detailing what I'm going to assume is a real-life account of torture and horror. I never paid attention in any history classes so I'm just assuming this is factual information. Each little blurb at the start of each chapter just got progressively more and more horrifying.
And what did I walk away with? I still have no clue who Jack the Ripper actually was!
December 14, 2011
Stephen King recommended author.
In 1981's Danse Macabre, King dedicated his book as follows: "It's easy enough - perhaps too easy - to memorialize the dead. This book is for the six great writers of the macabre who are still alive." The six listed were Robert Bloch, Jorge Luis Borges, Ray Bradbury, Frank Belknap Long, Donald Wandrei, Manly Wade Wellman.
12/14/11. This was a good crime novel and fun take on the Jack the Ripper mystery with cameo appearances from notable real-life folk like John Merrick, The Elephant Man. Each chapter starts with gruesome details about how people of all nations throughout history have devised methods to torture each other, including the info all of us horror fans know about Vlad the Impaler. A page-turner I highly recommend.
In 1981's Danse Macabre, King dedicated his book as follows: "It's easy enough - perhaps too easy - to memorialize the dead. This book is for the six great writers of the macabre who are still alive." The six listed were Robert Bloch, Jorge Luis Borges, Ray Bradbury, Frank Belknap Long, Donald Wandrei, Manly Wade Wellman.
12/14/11. This was a good crime novel and fun take on the Jack the Ripper mystery with cameo appearances from notable real-life folk like John Merrick, The Elephant Man. Each chapter starts with gruesome details about how people of all nations throughout history have devised methods to torture each other, including the info all of us horror fans know about Vlad the Impaler. A page-turner I highly recommend.
March 29, 2021
Robert Bloch immagina un giovane medico, appena giunto dall'America, che si trova ad affiancare un ispettore di Scotland Yard nelle indagini su Jack lo Squartatore.
A suo modo, cerca di dare una spiegazione a quei folli omicidi, a quell'orrore spaventoso, che terrorizzò Londra e rese così famigerato il quartiere di Whitechapel.
Una lettura breve ma ricca di suspense, in cui ogni capitolo del libro inizia con un'antica tortura che uomini hanno inferto ad altri uomini, sottolineando così che l'orrore è sempre andato a braccetto con l'uomo. Solo l'essere umano è in grado di infliggere così tanto dolore ad un suo simile, solo per il gusto di farlo e di poterlo fare.
A suo modo, cerca di dare una spiegazione a quei folli omicidi, a quell'orrore spaventoso, che terrorizzò Londra e rese così famigerato il quartiere di Whitechapel.
Una lettura breve ma ricca di suspense, in cui ogni capitolo del libro inizia con un'antica tortura che uomini hanno inferto ad altri uomini, sottolineando così che l'orrore è sempre andato a braccetto con l'uomo. Solo l'essere umano è in grado di infliggere così tanto dolore ad un suo simile, solo per il gusto di farlo e di poterlo fare.
December 10, 2015
Absolutely fantastic! Bloch has come up with a theory on the Jack The Ripper case that is not only entirely plausible but completely possible. Bloch has really done his homework, the historical accuracy is spot on and the Victorian atmosphere sets the scene for what could be the best book Bloch has ever written.
February 25, 2025
Read like a formulaic mystery with the inclusion of some famous individuals from the time; however, all those characters read as if they were interchangeable. The book did follow the actual murders fairly accurately, but it ended with a nonsensical conclusion that is possibly the most unbelievable and utterly ridiculous possibility out there.
September 10, 2017
Robert Bloch's 'Night of the Ripper' is a procedural murder-mystery thriller that brings the reader face-to-face with the dismal streets of Whitechapel, London, 1888 a.k.a. the hunting grounds of Jack the Ripper.
'Night of the Ripper' tells the story of Chief Inspector Abberline and his investigation into the Whitechapel murders. In the course of his investigation, Abberline forms an alliance with Dr. Mark Robinson, an American physician with a budding interest in "disorders of the mind," or psychology.
As Abberline and Robinson narrow down their list of suspects and close in on the Ripper, they begin to realize that the murderer might not be some shadowy stranger, but instead someone a little "closer to home."
The chapters are short and there is plenty of intrigue. Even if you feel like you've had enough with all of the Jack the Ripper stories, read one more- this one. Plenty of interesting characters show up (including Joseph Merrick and Oscar Wilde) to thicken the plot. And there really are no slow parts of the book.
In a note following the last chapter, Bloch acknowledges that he took several liberties regarding his depiction of real-life figures in the text. That being said, this book seems very well researched and Bloch deftly weaves in historical facts and "side stories" that help further entrench the reader into the historical setting.
'Night of the Ripper' tells the story of Chief Inspector Abberline and his investigation into the Whitechapel murders. In the course of his investigation, Abberline forms an alliance with Dr. Mark Robinson, an American physician with a budding interest in "disorders of the mind," or psychology.
As Abberline and Robinson narrow down their list of suspects and close in on the Ripper, they begin to realize that the murderer might not be some shadowy stranger, but instead someone a little "closer to home."
The chapters are short and there is plenty of intrigue. Even if you feel like you've had enough with all of the Jack the Ripper stories, read one more- this one. Plenty of interesting characters show up (including Joseph Merrick and Oscar Wilde) to thicken the plot. And there really are no slow parts of the book.
In a note following the last chapter, Bloch acknowledges that he took several liberties regarding his depiction of real-life figures in the text. That being said, this book seems very well researched and Bloch deftly weaves in historical facts and "side stories" that help further entrench the reader into the historical setting.
June 16, 2019
I discovered this book entirely by chance in 2012, and I'm so grateful for that. The Night of the Ripper is very underrated, but for me it is a fabulous read.
Bloch creates a likeable enough main character, Mark, who meets Abberline during his investigations of Jack the Ripper and becomes deeply involved in the hunt for the killer. The story is quite short and the pace is always good. I liked how Bloch featured all the main suspects in the Ripper killings, and I also appreciated his inclusion of famous historical figures, like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Oscar Wilde. They are hardly relevant to the plot, true, but they are an entertaining touch nonetheless.
The final reveal is absolute genius. It is hard to see it coming, and once discovered it is impossible to forget. I also think it is a compelling theory which would explain many things in the Ripper murders.
A must read if you are interested in Jack the Ripper.
Bloch creates a likeable enough main character, Mark, who meets Abberline during his investigations of Jack the Ripper and becomes deeply involved in the hunt for the killer. The story is quite short and the pace is always good. I liked how Bloch featured all the main suspects in the Ripper killings, and I also appreciated his inclusion of famous historical figures, like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Oscar Wilde. They are hardly relevant to the plot, true, but they are an entertaining touch nonetheless.
The final reveal is absolute genius. It is hard to see it coming, and once discovered it is impossible to forget. I also think it is a compelling theory which would explain many things in the Ripper murders.
A must read if you are interested in Jack the Ripper.
January 10, 2024
Solid page turner. Better than Psycho IMO. And you get to meet the elephant Man and Oscar Wilde. Seriously though, it’s a solid detective story with plot twists and a unique theory on who Jack really was. Gory.
January 27, 2016
Unfortunately a bit dull, especially for a writer like Robert Bloch. A shame as the story had a lot of potential, just didn't hold my interest.
December 26, 2019
Great piece of historical fiction that will keep a hold of you. It will leave you wanting to know more about the Ripper cases.
August 16, 2024
Si sois fans de lo macabro y os sentís a gusto entre casos de asesinos en serie, este es vuestro libro. Si tenéis aprensión a las descripciones crudas y no soportáis la visualización de mutilaciones ni os molestéis en abrir este volumen. El texto de Robert Bloch combina ficción con realidad y cuando quiere reparar en detalles sangrientos lo hace sin dudarlo, describiendo autopsias desagradables. También se molesta en plasmar bastantes líneas de investigación que se siguieron y recrea bien el sensacionalismo, el morbo y el caos que se produjo en la sociedad londinense, especialmente en los barrios pobres.
Los médicos son los principales protagonistas en esta historia, aunque el inspector Abberline también acapara unos cuantos capítulos. Las sospechas van pasando de cirujano en cirujano, junto a los candidatos oficiales que aspiran al puesto de Jack el destripador desde hace más de un siglo. Como ya he dicho, hay parte de ficción y parte de realidad, lo cual hace que la novela sea más divertida y estimulante, porque no sabes exactamente qué hipótesis van a seguir. A mí, desde luego, me ha convencido y no es el primer rodeo que tengo con el caso de Jack, me he leído varias obras al respecto y puedo decir que para las 250 páginas que tiene la edición de Plaza y Janés, el resultado es muy completo, de hecho, hasta se permite incluir algún invitado estrella de la época como Oscar Wilde, Bernard Shaw, Arthur Conan Doyle o Joseph Merrick.
ENGLISH
If you are fans of the macabre and feel comfortable among cases of serial killers, this is your book. If you are apprehensive of crude descriptions and cannot stand the visualization of mutilations, do not bother opening this volume. Robert Bloch's text combines fiction with reality and when he wants to focus on bloody details he does so without hesitation, describing unpleasant autopsies. He also takes pains to capture many lines of investigation that were followed and recreates well the sensationalism, morbidity and chaos that occurred in London society, especially in the poor neighborhoods.
The doctors are the main protagonists in this story, although Inspector Abberline also takes up a few chapters. Suspicions are passed from surgeon to surgeon, along with the official candidates who have aspired to the position of Jack the Ripper for more than a century. As I said, there is part fiction and part reality, which makes the novel more fun and stimulating, because you don't know exactly what hypothesis they are going to follow. Of course, it has convinced me and it is not the first detour I have had with Jack's case. I have read several works about it and I can say that for the 250 pages that the Plaza y Janés edition has, the result is very complete, in fact, it is even allowed to include some star guests of the time such as Oscar Wilde, Bernard Shaw, Arthur Conan Doyle or Joseph Merrick.
Los médicos son los principales protagonistas en esta historia, aunque el inspector Abberline también acapara unos cuantos capítulos. Las sospechas van pasando de cirujano en cirujano, junto a los candidatos oficiales que aspiran al puesto de Jack el destripador desde hace más de un siglo. Como ya he dicho, hay parte de ficción y parte de realidad, lo cual hace que la novela sea más divertida y estimulante, porque no sabes exactamente qué hipótesis van a seguir. A mí, desde luego, me ha convencido y no es el primer rodeo que tengo con el caso de Jack, me he leído varias obras al respecto y puedo decir que para las 250 páginas que tiene la edición de Plaza y Janés, el resultado es muy completo, de hecho, hasta se permite incluir algún invitado estrella de la época como Oscar Wilde, Bernard Shaw, Arthur Conan Doyle o Joseph Merrick.
ENGLISH
If you are fans of the macabre and feel comfortable among cases of serial killers, this is your book. If you are apprehensive of crude descriptions and cannot stand the visualization of mutilations, do not bother opening this volume. Robert Bloch's text combines fiction with reality and when he wants to focus on bloody details he does so without hesitation, describing unpleasant autopsies. He also takes pains to capture many lines of investigation that were followed and recreates well the sensationalism, morbidity and chaos that occurred in London society, especially in the poor neighborhoods.
The doctors are the main protagonists in this story, although Inspector Abberline also takes up a few chapters. Suspicions are passed from surgeon to surgeon, along with the official candidates who have aspired to the position of Jack the Ripper for more than a century. As I said, there is part fiction and part reality, which makes the novel more fun and stimulating, because you don't know exactly what hypothesis they are going to follow. Of course, it has convinced me and it is not the first detour I have had with Jack's case. I have read several works about it and I can say that for the 250 pages that the Plaza y Janés edition has, the result is very complete, in fact, it is even allowed to include some star guests of the time such as Oscar Wilde, Bernard Shaw, Arthur Conan Doyle or Joseph Merrick.
June 18, 2025
Es un libro que leí hace muchos años en la infancia, lo recuerdo como lo mejor que he leído de Jack el destripador, quitando la obra de From Hell en cómic.
Es un escritor que pertenecía al círculo de H.P. Lovecraft, y en mi opinión, merece más reconocimiento, está casi oculto que fue él quien escribió Psicosis, lo que he leído de él suelen ser novelas redondas, y de un fino y clásico terror.
Es un escritor que pertenecía al círculo de H.P. Lovecraft, y en mi opinión, merece más reconocimiento, está casi oculto que fue él quien escribió Psicosis, lo que he leído de él suelen ser novelas redondas, y de un fino y clásico terror.
October 9, 2025
Un romanzo dove viene raccontato l’operato di Jack lo squartatore accompagnato da trafiletti di t0rtur3 che richiamano lo stile del killer.
Un romanzo che si lascia leggere, un buon spunto per addentrarsi nella narrazione di questa figura storica.
Un romanzo che si lascia leggere, un buon spunto per addentrarsi nella narrazione di questa figura storica.
April 13, 2017
Può sembrare, guardando la copertina e leggendo la trama, che questo sia un saggio, più che un romanzo, cosa che ho pensato anche io. Invece no, è un romanzo, studiato nei minimi dettagli.
Seguiamo infatti Eva, infermiera presso il London Hospital e Mark, dottore presso lo stesso ospedale, che si invaghisce di Eva non appena la vede. Tranquilli, il romanticismo e la storia d'amore praticamente non esistono.
Perchè siamo nel 1888, a Whitechapel, nel momento in cui iniziano i delitti dello Squartatore.
Si mette quindi in moto la macchina investigativa, capeggiata dall'ispettore Abberline, e il romanzo termina poco dopo l'ultimo omicidio, quello di Mary Jane Kelly, il più spaventoso dei cinque attribuibili a Jack.
Ho letto da poco Stalking jack the ripper, e beh, non c'è paragone, mi spiace.
Si nota come questo sia un romanzo da adulti, mentre l'altro sia uno Ya.
Certo, Stalking è scritto da un punto di vista diverso, ed è per un pubblico diverso, ma sul serio, il tema dell'assassino viene quasi dimenticato.
Se conoscete o se avete visto Ripper Street, la bellissima serie televisiva della BBC ambientata nel 1889, potrete avere una visione di ciò che è questo libro.
Verso la metà, ero quasi sicura di sapere chi fosse l'assassino, perchè sì, qui ci viene detto chi è, perchè insomma, tutti gli indizi erano contro questo sospettato.
Ma invece no, tutto si rivela sbagliato, e con un grande colpo di scena, che ribalta tutto ed è degno dei grandi gialli e thriller, scopriamo che ci siamo sbagliati, che forse l'autore voleva proprio farci credere quello per sviarci dal vero colpevole, o per lo meno quello che ha deciso lui, perchè ricordiamoci che Jack è esistito veramente e non è mai stato catturato.
L'unica nota negativa è stata la forzatura dell'inserimento di due personaggi realmente esistiti, Wilde e L'uomo elefante, che non erano per niente necessari, e dopo una paginetta, scompaiono subito.
Per il resto è promosso.
Seguiamo infatti Eva, infermiera presso il London Hospital e Mark, dottore presso lo stesso ospedale, che si invaghisce di Eva non appena la vede. Tranquilli, il romanticismo e la storia d'amore praticamente non esistono.
Perchè siamo nel 1888, a Whitechapel, nel momento in cui iniziano i delitti dello Squartatore.
Si mette quindi in moto la macchina investigativa, capeggiata dall'ispettore Abberline, e il romanzo termina poco dopo l'ultimo omicidio, quello di Mary Jane Kelly, il più spaventoso dei cinque attribuibili a Jack.
Ho letto da poco Stalking jack the ripper, e beh, non c'è paragone, mi spiace.
Si nota come questo sia un romanzo da adulti, mentre l'altro sia uno Ya.
Certo, Stalking è scritto da un punto di vista diverso, ed è per un pubblico diverso, ma sul serio, il tema dell'assassino viene quasi dimenticato.
Se conoscete o se avete visto Ripper Street, la bellissima serie televisiva della BBC ambientata nel 1889, potrete avere una visione di ciò che è questo libro.
Verso la metà, ero quasi sicura di sapere chi fosse l'assassino, perchè sì, qui ci viene detto chi è, perchè insomma, tutti gli indizi erano contro questo sospettato.
Ma invece no, tutto si rivela sbagliato, e con un grande colpo di scena, che ribalta tutto ed è degno dei grandi gialli e thriller, scopriamo che ci siamo sbagliati, che forse l'autore voleva proprio farci credere quello per sviarci dal vero colpevole, o per lo meno quello che ha deciso lui, perchè ricordiamoci che Jack è esistito veramente e non è mai stato catturato.
L'unica nota negativa è stata la forzatura dell'inserimento di due personaggi realmente esistiti, Wilde e L'uomo elefante, che non erano per niente necessari, e dopo una paginetta, scompaiono subito.
Per il resto è promosso.
August 14, 2022
Robert Blochs Roman „Der Ripper“ ist der bislang beste, den ich diesen Monat zum Thema gelesen habe. Der Text ist quasi die fiktive Version des Handbuches von Schachner/Püstow, dass ich zu Beginn des Augusts gelesen habe.
Bloch belässt die Ereignisse um die Mordserie genauso wie sie in den Quellen zu finden ist und addiert drei fiktive Figuren, die im Zentrum der Ermittlungen stehen, selbst zum Teil verdächtigt werden und den Showdown am Ende erleben.
Hier ein paar der besten Aspekte des Buches, die es auf jeden Fall lesenswert machen:
1. Historische Korrektheit: Der Autor hat genaustens recherchiert und folgt den Ereignissen genauso wie sie stattgefunden haben.
2. Cameos: Nicht nur Abberline, seine Vorgesetzten und eine Vielzahl von Verdächtigen tauchen auf, sondern auch historische Figuren, die in London 1888 unterwegs waren und eine interessante/bedeutsame Sicht auf die Morde haben können. Da sind Arthur Conan Doyle, Oscar Wilde und John Merrick beispielsweise.
3. Auflösung: Über den Textverlauf habe ich immer wieder verschiedene Personen verdächtigt der Ripper zu sein. Bloch inszeniert die Parade an möglichen Mördern so geschickt, dass keiner unschuldig zu sein scheint und dennoch muss der Leser immer die Unmöglichkeit der Verdächtigen der Ripper zu sein in Betracht ziehen.
4. Abberline: Er ist kein übermenschliches Genie oder ein vertrottelter Beamter. Bloch stellt ihn als menschlichen Inspektor mit Ambitionen hin, der an den richtigen Stellen Selbstinitiative zeigt aber auch von den Gesetzen seiner Zeit bestimmt wird.
5. Fiktive Figuren: Dr. Trebor, Dr. Mark Robinson und Eva sind die drei fiktiven Figuren, die Bloch seiner Erzählung beifügt. Alle drei sind vielseitige Charaktere und könnten ohne Weiteres als historische Figuren durchgehen.
6. Auflösung: Etwa 80 Seiten vor dem Ende, war ich überzeugt zu wissen, wer der Ripper ist. Die folgende Lektüre wurde dadurch umso spannender und am Ende hatte ich nicht nur Recht, sondern war begeistert darüber, dass Bloch das ganze so gedreht hatte, dass es historisch weiterhin für die Öffentlichkeit unbekannt sein würde, wer der Ripper war.
7. Humor: Der ganze Roman ist trotz des dunklen Themas und der traurigen Szenen, als die Opfer gefunden werden voll mit humoristischen Kommentaren der handelnden Personen. Abberline beschwert sich über seine Vorgesetzten und murmelt in seinen eigenen Bart wie unprofessionell es ist von seinem neuen Vorgesetzten in den Urlaub zu fahren, während der Ripper mordet usw. Ich war überrascht wie oft ich lächeln musste bei der Lektüre, habe mich darüber aber sehr gefreut.
8. Respekt: Einige der Figuren im Roman haben eine psychische Erkrankung, andere sind physisch „entstellt“ und wieder andere sind aufgrund ihrer Religion, ihres Geschlechts oder ihrer Sexualität 1888 nicht das was das Gesetz, Ärzte oder „der normale Bürger“ als „richtig“ oder „normal“ oder „tolerierbar“ bezeichnen würde. Der Autor erkennt das und lässt es in den entsprechenden Szenen anklingen, schweift aber niemals aus und wird selbst zum Richter über diese Figuren. Es wird nie überflüssig über die Kondition, Vorlieben oder Lebensweise einer Person gespottet, verdächtigt oder abgelehnt. Ganz im Gegenteil sind diejenigen, welche sehr leicht zu diskriminieren wären, als normaler Teil des Lebens in London zu dieser Zeit dargestellt. Ihr Leben wird nicht als einfach oder sorgenfrei skizziert. Aber Bloch gelingt es sowohl dem Hollywood-Ende, dem verschönerten Blick auf diese Zeit oder einer krassen kategorischen Verunglimpfung zu entsagen.
Ich empfehle diesen Roman entweder in Tandem oder direkt nach der Lektüre vom „Handbuch Jack the Ripper“ von Püstow/Schachner zu lesen. Mehrmals hatte ich den Eindruck, dass sie bis auf die fiktiven Elemente von Bloch identisch sein könnten.
Ein toller Krimi und eine spannende Lektüre.
Bloch belässt die Ereignisse um die Mordserie genauso wie sie in den Quellen zu finden ist und addiert drei fiktive Figuren, die im Zentrum der Ermittlungen stehen, selbst zum Teil verdächtigt werden und den Showdown am Ende erleben.
Hier ein paar der besten Aspekte des Buches, die es auf jeden Fall lesenswert machen:
1. Historische Korrektheit: Der Autor hat genaustens recherchiert und folgt den Ereignissen genauso wie sie stattgefunden haben.
2. Cameos: Nicht nur Abberline, seine Vorgesetzten und eine Vielzahl von Verdächtigen tauchen auf, sondern auch historische Figuren, die in London 1888 unterwegs waren und eine interessante/bedeutsame Sicht auf die Morde haben können. Da sind Arthur Conan Doyle, Oscar Wilde und John Merrick beispielsweise.
3. Auflösung: Über den Textverlauf habe ich immer wieder verschiedene Personen verdächtigt der Ripper zu sein. Bloch inszeniert die Parade an möglichen Mördern so geschickt, dass keiner unschuldig zu sein scheint und dennoch muss der Leser immer die Unmöglichkeit der Verdächtigen der Ripper zu sein in Betracht ziehen.
4. Abberline: Er ist kein übermenschliches Genie oder ein vertrottelter Beamter. Bloch stellt ihn als menschlichen Inspektor mit Ambitionen hin, der an den richtigen Stellen Selbstinitiative zeigt aber auch von den Gesetzen seiner Zeit bestimmt wird.
5. Fiktive Figuren: Dr. Trebor, Dr. Mark Robinson und Eva sind die drei fiktiven Figuren, die Bloch seiner Erzählung beifügt. Alle drei sind vielseitige Charaktere und könnten ohne Weiteres als historische Figuren durchgehen.
6. Auflösung: Etwa 80 Seiten vor dem Ende, war ich überzeugt zu wissen, wer der Ripper ist. Die folgende Lektüre wurde dadurch umso spannender und am Ende hatte ich nicht nur Recht, sondern war begeistert darüber, dass Bloch das ganze so gedreht hatte, dass es historisch weiterhin für die Öffentlichkeit unbekannt sein würde, wer der Ripper war.
7. Humor: Der ganze Roman ist trotz des dunklen Themas und der traurigen Szenen, als die Opfer gefunden werden voll mit humoristischen Kommentaren der handelnden Personen. Abberline beschwert sich über seine Vorgesetzten und murmelt in seinen eigenen Bart wie unprofessionell es ist von seinem neuen Vorgesetzten in den Urlaub zu fahren, während der Ripper mordet usw. Ich war überrascht wie oft ich lächeln musste bei der Lektüre, habe mich darüber aber sehr gefreut.
8. Respekt: Einige der Figuren im Roman haben eine psychische Erkrankung, andere sind physisch „entstellt“ und wieder andere sind aufgrund ihrer Religion, ihres Geschlechts oder ihrer Sexualität 1888 nicht das was das Gesetz, Ärzte oder „der normale Bürger“ als „richtig“ oder „normal“ oder „tolerierbar“ bezeichnen würde. Der Autor erkennt das und lässt es in den entsprechenden Szenen anklingen, schweift aber niemals aus und wird selbst zum Richter über diese Figuren. Es wird nie überflüssig über die Kondition, Vorlieben oder Lebensweise einer Person gespottet, verdächtigt oder abgelehnt. Ganz im Gegenteil sind diejenigen, welche sehr leicht zu diskriminieren wären, als normaler Teil des Lebens in London zu dieser Zeit dargestellt. Ihr Leben wird nicht als einfach oder sorgenfrei skizziert. Aber Bloch gelingt es sowohl dem Hollywood-Ende, dem verschönerten Blick auf diese Zeit oder einer krassen kategorischen Verunglimpfung zu entsagen.
Ich empfehle diesen Roman entweder in Tandem oder direkt nach der Lektüre vom „Handbuch Jack the Ripper“ von Püstow/Schachner zu lesen. Mehrmals hatte ich den Eindruck, dass sie bis auf die fiktiven Elemente von Bloch identisch sein könnten.
Ein toller Krimi und eine spannende Lektüre.
June 6, 2013
Jack lo Squartatore, il serial killer più famoso della cronaca nera, è un terribile criminale che continua, ancora oggi, ad affascinare morbosamente l'opinione pubblica. Nell'arco degli anni sono stati fatti studi e inchieste di ogni tipo ma la sua vera identità rimane tuttora un enigma. Robert Bloch, basandosi su fatti reali, racconta in questo romanzo tutti i dettagli della vicenda: gli atroci delitti, le indagini di Scotland Yard e un sorprendente finale che risolve in modo fantasioso tutti i misteri della storia. Nel degrado di una cupa Londra vittoriana i due protagonisti, l'ispettore Abberline e il suo amico medico, tentano con ogni mezzo di catturare Jack lo Squartatore, un mostro spietato che, all'apparenza, sembra davvero inafferrabile. Al lettore non verranno risparmiati i raccapriccianti particolari degli omicidi poichè il sangue e la violenza sono gli ingredienti principali di questo libro. Jack lo Squartatore è un thriller a tinte forti che vi consigliamo assolutamente di leggere.
April 5, 2025
A fantastic and authentic fictionalisation of the Jack the Ripper investigation that perfectly highlights the brutality of the crimes and the bungling incompetence of the police. The accurate portrayal of society and attitudes of the time makes this hard to believe it was written a century after the events and so much is covered in what is a packed 200 pages.
Given the brutal sensationalism of the actual murders, Bloch allowed himself equal measure when writing the fictional side of the story, and the result is a seamless blend of what was real and what was not. He also accompanies many of the chapters with epigrams of known (extremely) brutal murders to highlight the bloodthirsty nature of mankind throughout history.
The novel cameos and constant twists to muddle who could have done it, make this well worth investing time in, although it does get very grisly in places...
No mention of Rigel IV though..
Given the brutal sensationalism of the actual murders, Bloch allowed himself equal measure when writing the fictional side of the story, and the result is a seamless blend of what was real and what was not. He also accompanies many of the chapters with epigrams of known (extremely) brutal murders to highlight the bloodthirsty nature of mankind throughout history.
The novel cameos and constant twists to muddle who could have done it, make this well worth investing time in, although it does get very grisly in places...
No mention of Rigel IV though..
June 27, 2007
I seem to have a thing for stories about mass murderers fictional and not. Very nice horror story based on Jack the Ripper. It's one of the first ones that got me started on reading more of his works.
November 11, 2007
I love this book. It is one of my top reads and recommendations to anyone that is a Jack-the-Ripper affictionado. What just kills me are the little blurbs at the beginning of the chapter. Even as a total work of fiction, this is a fun book.
March 23, 2017
Robert Bloch was the first horror author I read as a young teen and he still captivates and entertains me. Scares the bejesus out of me at times as well.
Great novel based on factual events.
Well worth reading.
Great novel based on factual events.
Well worth reading.
February 27, 2023
This was a fictional telling of Jack the Ripper's murders. The creep factor here was high. Dark London fog-filled streets, very eerie...
The characters themselves were a bit boring. Just an OK read for me.
The characters themselves were a bit boring. Just an OK read for me.
January 31, 2025
A fun and gripping version of the Jack the Ripper murders by Psycho author, Robert Bloch. The brief cameos of famous historical people are fun but a little unnecessary and don’t really serve the story. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this book!
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