8th out of 3,396 books
—
7,817 voters
The Alienist (Dr. Laszlo Kreizler #1)
by
Caleb Carr
The year is 1896, the place, New York City. On a cold March night New York Times reporter John Schuyler Moore is summoned to the East River by his friend and former Harvard classmate Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, a psychologist, or "alienist." On the unfinished Williamsburg Bridge, they view the horribly mutilated body of an adolescent boy, a prostitute from one of Manhattan's infa...more
Paperback, 498 pages
Published
October 24th 2006
by Random House
(first published 1994)
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This book was FIZZING which, according to my 19th Century Art of Manliness glossary, means excellent, top notch. Well, fizzing it was. Through most of this book, I had it rated at 5.0 stars as I was absolutely captivated by the writing, the characters and the plot and loved how they were all deftly tethered to a great depiction of late 19th Century everyday life.
I would describe this as a psychological thriller and detective mystery set in the 1890's and blending a Sherlock Holmes type investig...more
I would describe this as a psychological thriller and detective mystery set in the 1890's and blending a Sherlock Holmes type investig...more
Just arrived from Canada through BM.
Besides the historical facts about New York City by the end of 19th century, I liked the plot and the introduction of some important tools for an investigative work, like the fingerprint examination and the last impression in the iris of the eyes of corpses, which was proposed by Jules Verne. Of course, this last technique is a simple matter of conjecture.
It is interesting to see Theodore Roosevelt as a Police commissioner before he became the President of the...more
Besides the historical facts about New York City by the end of 19th century, I liked the plot and the introduction of some important tools for an investigative work, like the fingerprint examination and the last impression in the iris of the eyes of corpses, which was proposed by Jules Verne. Of course, this last technique is a simple matter of conjecture.
It is interesting to see Theodore Roosevelt as a Police commissioner before he became the President of the...more
This was a fun historical fiction novel. I enjoyed learning about life in New York during the late 1800. If you have watched Gangs of New York you will love the references to the various gangs and activities of the Five Points area of New York. In addition, if you are a fan of crime drama, such as CSI, you will enjoy reading about the development and constroversy surronding many modern crime dectecting techniques. It is just a great suspense, mystery novel that is stylistically like many novels...more
This is a book I've meant to read for a while. It was finally bumped up from its spot down the bottom of my TBR pile thanks to this month's group read for the Mystery, Crime and Thriller Group.
Set in New York City in 1896, the novel tells the story of a team set up to investigate a series of murders, mostly of young male prostitutes. The investigation team is the brainchild of Theodore Roosevelt, NYC Police Commissioner in his pre-White House days, who is dedicated to cleaning up corruption in t...more
I really liked this book. At first, I was a bit disoriented, and really, I blame my own sloppy brain for that. It’s been over a decade that I actually read literature instead of trashy romance novels and/or Internet fan fiction. So when I first started this one, I was in awe of its many syllabic words. I nearly put it down, deciding that my brain had flared out like a star many years ago and had permanently rotted away. But, no! I was able to catch on and looked forward to reading more and more....more
Interesting book. I read it some years ago during a "read anything you can get your hands on period". This was one of the good ones.
John Moore tells the story from a first person point of view. The book opens as he is having dinner with the well known Alienist or Psychiatrist, Laszlo Kreizler. The novel is told as a reminiscence of past events. In their talk (along with other dinner guests) the discussion settles on their pursuit of a serial killer.
All in all an (as I said before) interesting...more
John Moore tells the story from a first person point of view. The book opens as he is having dinner with the well known Alienist or Psychiatrist, Laszlo Kreizler. The novel is told as a reminiscence of past events. In their talk (along with other dinner guests) the discussion settles on their pursuit of a serial killer.
All in all an (as I said before) interesting...more
When first picking up this school assigned novel I must admit I had great feeling of apprehension. 512 pages of a school assigned novel wasn’t exactly how I wanted to spend my summer. Though two chapters in I was completely hooked and all worries of length completely vanished. It is still a mystery to me how a book so long can feel so manageable. This powerful novel about a murder investigation not only provides drama and anticipation but also the complicated characters and friendships I always...more
...The Alienist is a chilling novel that can truly draw in any reader who has a strong interest for gruesome crime scenes, intense scenarios, and a fast paced feel that lures in readers at each turn of the page. We are immediately placed into a story of the "alienated", those with strong mental illness who are then rejected and looked down upon in society because of their differences. After twisted killings of countless children, Moore and Dr. Lazlo Kriezler work hand in hand, devoting countles...more
I found out after I finished the book that Caleb Carr started off by writing historical non-fiction and that he even first pitched this book as non-fiction, afraid that his editor and publisher wouldn't accept a work of fiction from a non-fiction writer.
I mention this because I feel that his background in non-fiction shows through in the writing style - including the descriptions of the city and places in the city itself which I felt were more textbook than evocative. (Granted, judging by the re...more
I mention this because I feel that his background in non-fiction shows through in the writing style - including the descriptions of the city and places in the city itself which I felt were more textbook than evocative. (Granted, judging by the re...more
Jul 05, 2011
Hayes
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-in-2011,
read-prior-to-2009
I first read this 16 years ago and can honestly say that I didn't remember anything about it, aside from the cameo role that Theodore Roosevelt plays. I didn't remember how violent it was, or how icky. It was pretty good, and nothing more. Far too many anachronisms for my taste. The whole investigative set up reminded me of this:


This book was one of those numerous reads when you like the book being fully aware of its weaknesses. I read this book in the aftermath of the discussion of Drood. I was advised to read the novel to see how good a historical mystery book could be by some readers who were not fully satisfied by Drood. Now having the reading experience of both those big novels under my belt I personally believe that Drood is a much better novel than The Alienist. It is all a matter of subjective interpretation, bu...more
I was really torn on what to rate this book. A three or a four star? It is amazingly detailed and historically accurate. The auxiliary characters such a Roosevelt and Ny crime kingpin Kelley had much more depth than many other famous figures interjected in most historical fictions.
And having graduated with a degree in criminal justice, much of the work they cite is, to this day, a foundation for any serious study of criminology. However, some of the main characters were just not that... Endearin...more
And having graduated with a degree in criminal justice, much of the work they cite is, to this day, a foundation for any serious study of criminology. However, some of the main characters were just not that... Endearin...more
Carr is absolutely superb at capturing the era - to the point where it can easily be classed as historical fiction, and his pacing is perfect along with interesting characters... One of the aspects of the book that make it so wonderful is that it holds a subtle blur and fade technique amongst genres. It is considered a murder/mystery and there were times when I re-read a paragraph if I thought there was a clue, yet at other times I was hurriedly turning the pages as I do in a rousing adventure t...more
I personally label this story as one of my top picks for best historical crime (fiction) novel ever. Caleb Carr has an eye for detail and character building that really envelops you in the story.
It's also an interesting study of the culture of New York at the turn of the century, and a great look at the beginnings of a new scientific approach to criminal justice.
I was horribly disappointed to find out that Carr had only done one more novel involving the characters from the Alienist, and I reco...more
It's also an interesting study of the culture of New York at the turn of the century, and a great look at the beginnings of a new scientific approach to criminal justice.
I was horribly disappointed to find out that Carr had only done one more novel involving the characters from the Alienist, and I reco...more
A couple of pages before finishing The Alienist, I declared that it is the most complete mystery I have ever read. Months after finishing this book, I still don't think that was hyperbole. Using the milieu of New York City in the middle of the Gilded Age, historian-turned-novelist Caleb Carr pits the emerging phenomenon of the serial killer against the pioneers of what would become criminal profiling in this fascinating example of a historical thriller.
At the center of the story is Dr. Laszlo Kr...more
At the center of the story is Dr. Laszlo Kr...more
This is my second time reading The Alienist, and I'm struck by a few things. The first, is that while I had forgotten a few of the details I KNEW how the story would end. And yet, I found myself racing through the pages to see what would happen next! The second, despite the author's statement that the book is about Kreizler and the serial killer, it is told through the eyes of the secondary characters. This strengthens the story significantly in my mind as they are intelligent but relatable peop...more
Oct 20, 2008
Lynn
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
people interested in the history of pop psychology
This is a mystery novel set in 1896 New York. Although the protagonists are upper class, it explores the gritty underworld (organized crime, violent immigrant neighborhoods, cross-dressing boy whores) of New York in search of a serial killer of children. Some of the detailed descriptions of the city and the time period are pretty interesting and detailed enough that I think a fair amount of research was done.
An Alienist is what psychiatrists were often called at the time. One lead member of the...more
An Alienist is what psychiatrists were often called at the time. One lead member of the...more
i have been going through a historical mystery phase, and this book certainly fit that niche.
unfortunately, i also wanted a book that was well-written, and this did NOT fit the niche for that.
everyone seems to love it, so i am nervous ranting too much about it, but it just seemed so hokey. the characters are such an obvious, contrived band of lovable misfits. the dialog can be interesting, but it can also drag.
i read the follow-up, 'The Angel of Darkness,'and it was ll the bad of this one with e...more
unfortunately, i also wanted a book that was well-written, and this did NOT fit the niche for that.
everyone seems to love it, so i am nervous ranting too much about it, but it just seemed so hokey. the characters are such an obvious, contrived band of lovable misfits. the dialog can be interesting, but it can also drag.
i read the follow-up, 'The Angel of Darkness,'and it was ll the bad of this one with e...more
After hearing so many great reviews, I was disappointed by this book. It gives the reader an overload on information on the architecture of New York in the late 1900’s, and on the theatrical scene of the time, which would be all right if as much care had been put on the characters themselves. The characters felt as if they were modern people transported back in time. As much as I appreciate the feminists undertones and struggles of Sara, the wanna-be-first-female-police-officer, respectable sing...more
Oct 12, 2007
Jessica
rated it
1 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
someone with different tastes
Shelves:
here-is-new-york
Bleagh.
I thought this book was gonna be soooooooo awesome, and I was just gonna love it sooooo much. Everyone loved this book, remember?? Plus it is about one of my favorite periods in American history, and parts of it take place in my beloved Bellevue Hospital (the old one that's a shelter now -- the best example ever of "transinsitutionalization")!
Alas, the harder they come, the harder they fall. Maybe I didn't stick it out long enough -- do I ever? -- but I just couldn't stand the writing sty...more
I thought this book was gonna be soooooooo awesome, and I was just gonna love it sooooo much. Everyone loved this book, remember?? Plus it is about one of my favorite periods in American history, and parts of it take place in my beloved Bellevue Hospital (the old one that's a shelter now -- the best example ever of "transinsitutionalization")!
Alas, the harder they come, the harder they fall. Maybe I didn't stick it out long enough -- do I ever? -- but I just couldn't stand the writing sty...more
I took this book as my only reading for my summer abroad program in France.I loaned it to someone who bent the spine. I hate that. They bought me a new copy. I still have it. I loved this book. I've read it twice since then. It is gory and mysterious and makes me think of all the usual suspects: Sherlock Holmes, Murder in the Rue Morgue, Wilkie Collins...
I loved the characters and the setting of old New York City. I especially love the setting of the climax, the old reservoir where the NYPL now...more
I loved the characters and the setting of old New York City. I especially love the setting of the climax, the old reservoir where the NYPL now...more
As a lover of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Childs' New York City murder mysteries (sewer creatures, mole people, monsters in the Museum of Natural History, etc.), Caleb Carr's book offers a perfect register for unsolved crime in late-19th century Manhattan, with a tenor and humor that makes every word worth reading. Including Teddy Roosevelt as Police Commissioner and, not unlike the TV show 'Life on Mars,' some interesting openings for females on the force.
And as a Brooklynite, I keep hoping we...more
And as a Brooklynite, I keep hoping we...more
The exciting news that Caleb Carr is, indeed, planning to complete this trilogy led me to embark on reading this for probably the sixth or seventh time. I bought a hard copy to circulate amongst my students and a Nook book for myself, because every time I loan my copy of this book to anyone, I never get it back!
fucking awesome. mmmmmm, serial killer.
it took place in 189X nyc, and chronicled one of the first investigations of a serial killer. yes, yes, it was fiction, but whatever. it was really interesting to realize that the stuff we see on csi and nypd blue and what not was not always common thinking and that a lot of forensics and criminology and psychology was considered “whacko”. quite frequently i caught myself thinking, duh, of course you’d do that, only to realize that the type of thinking the...more
it took place in 189X nyc, and chronicled one of the first investigations of a serial killer. yes, yes, it was fiction, but whatever. it was really interesting to realize that the stuff we see on csi and nypd blue and what not was not always common thinking and that a lot of forensics and criminology and psychology was considered “whacko”. quite frequently i caught myself thinking, duh, of course you’d do that, only to realize that the type of thinking the...more
If I had to sum up The Alienist with one word it would be this: plodding. The description of the book on Goodreads calls it 'fast-paced'. False advertising right there! Fast-paced it most certainly was not. LOL
The book was a bit of a disappointment in various ways.
One, I didn't feel much of an emotional connection with the main characters. I don't know why ... whether it was the author's writing style, the time period, or what. But I just wasn't drawn in to their world or their personalities. I...more
The book was a bit of a disappointment in various ways.
One, I didn't feel much of an emotional connection with the main characters. I don't know why ... whether it was the author's writing style, the time period, or what. But I just wasn't drawn in to their world or their personalities. I...more
In 1896, Theodore Roosevelt is New York City Police commissioner, battling corruption in the police department. John Schuyler Moore, a Knickerbocker aristocrat, is a police reporter for the New York Times. Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, Hungarian born but American raised and educated, is an "alienist", as those physicians who made a study of mental illness in those days were called. One of Kreizler's specialties is the study of the criminal mind in an effort to determine what insanity really is. These thr...more
This is one of those books that everybody read during a six month period a few years back. So I just got around to it, and man, what a disappointment. I enjoy historical fiction. I think books like From Hell and Billy Bathgate and the like are a lot of fun and make me smarter as well.
The Alienist has a perfectly passable mystery, but it's full of barely sketched characters and the writing is just so pedestrian that I was never drawn in. It's written in the first person, so I found myself wonder...more
The Alienist has a perfectly passable mystery, but it's full of barely sketched characters and the writing is just so pedestrian that I was never drawn in. It's written in the first person, so I found myself wonder...more
The story is initially fascinating. Love how psychology is described as such a young and really quite threatening science! And the details of old NYC are also wonderful. I've been to NYC many times, so I am able to image the sites as they might have been just before the turn of the 20th century, when this story takes place.
My complaint is that the author takes too much effort to be "politically correct" when talking about the ethnic cleansing of Native Americans. He has the character make sure...more
My complaint is that the author takes too much effort to be "politically correct" when talking about the ethnic cleansing of Native Americans. He has the character make sure...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I love this book! | 43 | 300 | May 01, 2013 03:37am | |
| First book in a while | 7 | 73 | Jan 21, 2013 03:39pm | |
| Literazzi: The Alienist | 8 | 9 | Sep 15, 2012 06:21am |
Caleb Carr is an American novelist and military historian. The son of Lucien Carr, a former UPI editor and a key Beat generation figure, he was born in Manhattan and lived for much of his life on the Lower East Side. He attended Kenyon College and New York University, earning a B.A. in military and diplomatic history. He is a contributing editor of MHQ: The Quarterly Journal of Military History an...more
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“The defenders of decent society and the disciples of degeneracy are often the same people.”
—
13 people liked it
“Imagine, [Kriezler] said, that you enter a large, somewhat crumbling hall that echoes with the sounds of people mumbling and talking repetitively to themselves. All around you these people fall into prostrate positions, some of them weeping. Where are you? Sara’s answer was immediate: in an asylum. Perhaps, Kreizler answered, but you could also be in a church. In the one place the behavior would be considered mad; in the other, not only sane, but as respectable as any human activity can be.”
—
7 people liked it
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