The Alienist (Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, #1)

Jul 18, 2011

Stephen rated it

Shelves: award-nominee-bram-stoker, ebooks, historical-horror, sherlockian, house-like, horror

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 Holme...moreThis 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 investigator (i.e., Dr. Lazlo Kreizler) and a Hannibal Lector/Jeffrey Dahmer like serial killer straight of today. For me, what set it over the top good was the healthy dose of historical fiction thrown in for interesting background. It just gave the book a unique, interesting feel as it had the darkness and grit of a present day "hunt the serial killer" story but with the customs, constraints and daily rituals of 19th Century New York life.

In addition, to the excellent job the author did in establishing a sense of place, I also really liked the way Carr incorporated into the narrative several "real life" murderers that were contemporaries of the killer in this novel. This added a sense of authenticity that upped the creepy on the rest of the plot. For example, the book refers to Dr. H.H. Holmes whose murders were depicted in The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America and Jesse Pomeroy who was depicted in Fiend: The Shocking True Story Of Americas Youngest Serial Killer).

The main character, Dr. Kreizler, was excellent abel focused a great vehicle to carry the plot forward. The pacing was good and mytstery solving aspects of this novel (i.e., the piecing together of clues and discussions of what they mean) about as good as it gets. There is real talent in this work and I was greatly impressed by the read.

My one gripe is that I thought the ending, while in keeping with the tone of the rest of the book, was a little flat. I was hoping for a better payoff and ended up with a slight case of literary "blue brains" when I didn't get the release I was hoping for. Thus I lowered my overall rating to 4.5 stars because nobody likes "blue brains."

Still I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this to fans of the genre or just someone looking for a great story. I will definitely be checking out the sequel.

Nominee: Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel. (less)

like 35 likes

· see review

May 12, 2008

Lain rated it

I tend not to like historical fiction, but this one blew me away. I challenge any thriller-and-suspense lover to try this book and not get hooked by the end of the first chapter. Fabulous.

like 16 likes

· see review

Sep 11, 2010

Billy rated it

I’m very interested in the time period, and this book was full of vivid, loving descriptions of New York that I really enjoyed. Unfortunately that’s about the only thing I enjoyed about it.

It wasn’t terrible, it just wasn’t my kind of book. It’s very much like an episode of Crime Scene: Scene of the Crime (and I hate those kind of shows), but to be fair it predates the flood of those. It’s a step-by-step telling of the investigation to find a killer using forensic evidence and mod...more

like 5 likes

· see review

Jul 21, 2007

Emma rated it

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 nov...more

like 6 likes

· see review

Nov 29, 2011

Kim rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: crime-fiction

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 ...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 the city's police department and to solving a series of crimes that powerful forces would prefer to leave unsolved. The team is headed by psychiatrist Dr Laszlo Kreizler and includes a couple of eccentric police detectives, a journalist (who serves as the narrator) and a young woman who works as Roosevelt's secretary and wants to be a police officer.

What appealed to me most about the book is the historical and geographical setting. Carr makes 1896 NYC live and breathe. The book is packed with descriptions of and information about the locations in which the characters find themselves. In addition, real life identities are woven into the narrative. I had lots of fun reading while checking out people and places using Wikipedia and Google Maps.

What I liked rather less are the anachronisms. This aspect of the novel is most evident in the attitudes of the central good-guy characters. To a person they demonstrate remarkably progressive attitudes towards issues of gender, race, class and sexual orientation. The characters seem to belong more to the 1990s than to the 1890s. Another issue I have with the novel is that it has the feel of a contemporary psychological profiler / serial killer story plonked down into a historical setting. I appreciate that this has more to do with my failure to read the book earlier than it has with the book itself. When it was first published in 1994, that sub-genre of crime fiction wasn't as ubiquitous as it has since become.

Readers should know that the novel contains some graphic scenes, as is to be expected in a serial murder story. Given what can be found in other novels of the same type, these scenes are not extreme. However, the fact that the victims are children and young people heightens their impact.

Overall, I'm glad I finally got around to reading this one. The narrative held my interest and I loved the setting. However, I don't find myself enthusiastic about reading the sequel. I suspect that this will be a once only read, although I would love to read more about NYC in the 1890s.

(less)

like 7 likes

· see review

Jan 30, 2008

LdDurham rated it

Shelves: general-fiction

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....moreI 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. On a sad note, it was the first piece of fiction I’ve read that did not have any sex in it. I know. I’m awful.

The story takes place in the early part of 1896 in New York City. The author was phenomenal in bringing the reader right into the city. I’ve never been to NYC and yet, this novel made it real for me. Not only that, but the small details were amazing. So not only did I feel as if I was in NYC, but I was in turn of the century NYC. Really impressive. The author peppered the text with side stories and information, from describing “the yellow brewery” as the upper crust society called the new and upstart Metropolitan Opera House, to the story of Dr. Holmes, the mass-murderer, and his unrepentant death. The author shows us Sing-Sing prison and little New Paltz. We also see the inner workings of the NYPD at the time and how it was trying to be reformed from a violent group of men who took pay from all the criminals into a working and solid force of crime solving and prevention.

Onto the plot:
The story is told in the first-person narrative by a New York Times journalist, John Moore. Moore is a good sort of man and knows his way around the city very well. He is friends with incredibly influential people, one of whom is the president of the Board of Commissioners of the NYPD, Theodore Roosevelt. Yes, the twenty-sixth president. Another friend of his is Dr. Lazlo Kreizler. Dr. Kreizler is one of the new and reviled psychiatrists, other wise known as Alienists (since people with mental disorders were thought to be alienated from society) and is the reason behind the title of the book.

The thick of the novel is a murder investigation. Someone is killing and mutilating young boys in the skin trade. But the really interesting part is that the investigation is done with amazing “new” technology such as finger printing, which was still not considered evidence for a courtroom, and handwriting analysis. And, of course, the entire investigation hinges on something that they didn’t even think to have a name for: Criminal Profiling. The entire story is engrossing as the killer is put together piece by piece, from a mysterious entity to a real live person with a history and motive. And all this before we ever get a glimpse of him.

But we don’t just learn of the killer’s life and tribulations, but also of the team of investigators: Moore and Kreizler, along with Sarah, one of the first women hired by the NYPD (as a secretary, but still one of the first) and of the Isaacson brothers, policemen who have trained in many new and untried fields. We also dabble in the lives of notable historical figures. I am sure I missed a few who made cameos as I read, but they all flow so seamlessly into and out of the story that you never think that the author is deliberately shoving them in there to give the story any heft or weight to it.

The only thing that I would complain about was that two pertinent facts of the killer were slow to jump to the investigators’ minds at two separate times. I was mentally screaming, “Wait, wait! Don’t you remember XXX? That’s why!” But for the story I could see why they conveniently forgot. It was a small annoyance compared to the rest of this very intricately weaved mystery.

All and all, this was an extremely well written tale and I can see why it’s one of those books everyone has or should read. I’m really glad I tried it out.(less)

like 19 likes

· see review

Dec 22, 2010

Jasper Soloff rated it

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

like 3 likes

· see review

Nov 04, 2011

Elizabeth Williams rated it

· review of another edition

...

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, devot...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 countless hours to discover and analyze the savage amusement of this killer. As each murder scene unfolds directly in front of the reader, we begin to play a large role in the story line itself, almost going through and piecing together facts of the crime scene alongside Moore and Kriezler.

...

As someone who is nearly addicted to shows like Criminal Minds and CSI, this book gave me an opportunity to enjoy unlawful acts in a whole new light. Although this book is far more graphic than originally expected, it strongly plays upon our desire to piece together different clues to come up with a solution to a specific problem. Even though, as a whole I thoroughly enjoyed this books contorted and unforeseen events, the very beginning of this 19th century novel was difficult to get into. It started off slow-paced and quite boring, but once we are brought into a detective like role, the book is most defiantly a good read and well worth the time it takes to get through the book. An element of this book that I found to be very helpful in understanding the entire work was that it provided detailed explanation and analysis as the killer of these young prostitute like boys is revealed to the reader. This book is not one where the detectives come to an out of the blue conclusion with little to no explanation of how they got there. I enjoyed the clear, concise and detailed walk through from the moment of the murder to the discovery of the murderer himself. Although this book is pretty gory and gruesome, these aspects is what made the book so difficult to put down.

...

Although I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I don't think its a book for all audiences. It defiantly has intense imagery that may be overwhelming to younger readers. If your a person that is into bone- chilling mysteries, and morbid plot twists then Caleb Carrs, The Alienist, is a book to consider adding to list of books to read.
(less)

like 2 likes

· see review

Jul 05, 2011

Hayes rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2011

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:

like 3 likes

· see review

May 07, 2011

Zulfiya rated it

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, b...moreThis 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, but Drood appeals to a more high-brow reading audience, whileThe Alienist is more of an 'omnivore', mainstream book. Anyway, the book by Carr is still an entertaining read, and I believe it actually deserves 3.5 stars.
The setting of the novel is New York, last years of the 19th century. That locality alongside the genre allows us to see the fascinating and gruesome subculture and 'sublayers' of New York, its numerous tenebrous criminal dens, grottoes and even whole blocks of life which are usually ignored and blotted out by the well-established middle class.
Being a historical novel set in the late nineteenth century any author would feel obliged to dilute his/her discourse with some words and phrases which are easily recognized for their linguistically obsolete nature. Carr does a wonderful job adding successfully to his narrative a delightful and appropriate mixture of archaic words and phrases as well as a healthy amount of professional terms and jargons. This careful linguistic research gives a certain professional credit to his characters. Most of his descriptions of criminal sites are gritty, graphic, and painfully realistic. I would say that accurate and apt wording is possibly one of the strongest sides in the novel.
The introduction/engagement into the detective plot line is exciting, but hardly plausible; and as any big historical mystery novel it starts slowly but gradually becomes more engrossing. As soon as the plot starts unfolding, the events happen at a steady speed but with recurring irritating historical explanations. The structural presentation of the novel could be best described using the following metaphor: the steadily-paced train of narration stops for a historical lecture at some railway stations. These lectures are historically exact, but occasionally and inevitably boring and pesky (Carr is after all a historian). The ending of the novel is too crowded, and the forces impeding and interfering with the investigation as well as their objectives are not clearly defined and are given somewhat vague roles. At the same time this novel is a wonderful insight into the world of psychiatry and medical criminology. The topic of dark, abusive and excruciating past is deftly intertwined into the book.
The most enigmatic and believable character is definitely Laszlo Kreisler who is not only a true savant, but also a compassionate figure due to his background. Moore, the narrator, is a Watsonesque figure, while Sarah Howard is too brusque, grotesque, and masculine in her aspirations for equality. On the other hand, some historical figures are just figures, and their names are more realistic than their characters. Sometimes I had an impression that their only function was a name-dropping to achieve the historical authenticity.
Overall, the novel is a pleasant book with an interesting excursus into the dark criminal past of New York and the psyche of the serial killer. (less)

like 4 likes

· see review

Dec 10, 2008

Tara Lynn rated it

Shelves: booklist-for-2008, personal-favorites

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 ...more

like 6 likes

· see review

Sep 01, 2011

Kristel rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: read-2011, historical-fiction, crime-fiction, intellectual-thriller

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 D...more

like 5 likes

· see review

Oct 20, 2008

Lynn rated it

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 ...more

like 4 likes

· see review

Jan 24, 2008

Kira Fisher rated it

Shelves: ireadyou

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 ...more

like 9 likes

· see review

Mar 31, 2008

Capitu rated it

Shelves: 2008, mystery

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 s...more

like 6 likes

· see review

Oct 12, 2007

Jessica rated it

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 j...more

like 10 likes

· see review

Jun 18, 2007

Amy rated it

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 NYP...more

like 2 likes

· see review

Mar 08, 2009

William rated it

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 ke...more

like 3 likes

· see review

Jan 27, 2009

Andy rated it

Shelves: 20th-century-blues

Not bad serial killer novel that takes place around the turn of the 20th Century. It goes on 200 pages too long, but otherwise, it's a kool read. If you liked Carter Beats The Devil you'll probably like this.

like 2 likes

· see review

Mar 05, 2009

Sarah rated it

Shelves: 2007, historical-fiction, fiction, serial-killer

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 thinki...more

like 2 likes

· see review

Aug 04, 2011

Dalton Lynne rated it

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

like 1 like

· see review

Feb 09, 2011

Zeruhur rated it

· review of another edition

Tra le maggiori difficoltà di un giallista, soprattutto ai giorni nostri, ci sono la verosomiglianza e il livello di accuratezza che solo un'attenta documentazione unita a un grande stile possono portare alla nascita di un romanzo degno di nota.
Caleb Carr è sicuramente da ascrivere alla lista dei giallisti eccellenti e per più di un motivo. Innanzitutto sceglie un'ambientazione insolita e intrigante: New York, 1896. Di gialli storici in libreria se ne trovano molti e quando si pensa a questo par...moreTra le maggiori difficoltà di un giallista, soprattutto ai giorni nostri, ci sono la verosomiglianza e il livello di accuratezza che solo un'attenta documentazione unita a un grande stile possono portare alla nascita di un romanzo degno di nota.
Caleb Carr è sicuramente da ascrivere alla lista dei giallisti eccellenti e per più di un motivo. Innanzitutto sceglie un'ambientazione insolita e intrigante: New York, 1896. Di gialli storici in libreria se ne trovano molti e quando si pensa a questo particolare contesto storico non si può che pensare a un nome in particolare, Anne Perry.
Tuttavia L'alienista si distingue per essere soprattutto un giallo di stampo psicologico, in cui l'indagine è rivolta al profiling dell'assassino più che alla raccolta di prove.
L'elemento più intrigante del romanzo deriva dalla collocazione storica: se da un lato abbiamo una New York quasi dickensiana, divisa tra la classe bene e luridi tuguri, d'altra vediamo come i metodi di indagine siano ancora acerbi. Le impronte digitali, la scienza criminologica, tutti quegli elementi che si danno per scontati nei thriller moderni, qui assumono un'aria sperimentale, innovativa. I personaggi agiscono sulla base di tecniche nuove e non già consolidate. Questo rende unica l'atmosfera del romanzo.
L'ambientazione permette non solo l'inserimento di figure come quelle di Laszlo Kriezler, l'alienista, ossia sostanzialmente un proto-criminologo, ma anche altre come quelle di Sara Howard, donna che si batte per la parità delle donne, contro le ipocrisie della società di fine Ottocento, oltre che di personaggi realmente esistiti come lo stesso Theodore Roosvelt.
Così il giallo non diventa una lettura fine a se stessa ma assume anche validità di documento storico e sociologico.
Il romanzo è costellato da innumerevoli personaggi secondari, che possiedono tutti una psicologia definita e che apportano indistintamente alla vicenda senza essere rilegati al ruolo di macchiette di contorno.
Lo stile di Carr è scorrevole e avvicente e l'intreccio assolutamente ben calibrato, con uno sviluppo logico e pulito. Un piccolo gioiello della letteratura gialla.(less)

like 1 like

· see review

Apr 20, 2010

Joyce Lagow rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: mystery

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 ...moreIn 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 three are an unlikley set of friends, whose friendship began years ago at Harvard.[return][return]A series of murders of boy prostitutes has caught the attention of Kreizler, whose other specialty is disturbed children. He calls on his friend Moore for help in determining the identity of the killer; inevitably, of course, Roosevelt, in his professional capacity, becomes involved. "Official New York"--high society--the upper classes who determine what reality is for New York--refuses to acknowledge the thriving trade in boy prostitution while, of course, many indulge in the vice; societal attitudes of the time prevented even ardent reformers like Jacob Riis, one of many well-known personages of the times (Lincoln Stephens is another) who have minor roles in the story, from even believing that such trade even exists. This attitude makes an official investigation into the murders more difficult; instead, the murderer is portrayed as preying upon the children of the immigrant community, stirring up social unrest.[return][return]The investigation, therefore, has to be clandestine. As a result, into the orginal team of 3 are brought Sarah Howard, Roosevelt's secretary--the first woman employed by the NY Police Department and whose burning ambition is to become a detective--and the Isaacson brothers, detectives, the vanguard of the brand-new discipline of forensic science. Together, this team sets out to find the serial murderer.[return][return]The story is narrated by Moore. The style is educated upper-class Eastern Seaboard American of that era, and works beautifully. Because the principal investigators are members of that class, we also get a view of such institutions as the Metropolitan Opera of the time, and Delmonico's; there is a memorable description of one particular meal.[return][return]Carr does a superb job of developing the hunt for the killer through what would be termed 80+ years later by the FBI, "profiling". Through Lucius and Marcus Isaacson, we get a lively discussion--and therefore great view--of the then brand-new techniques of fingerprinting, anthropometrics, and retinal impression. We also get a good synopsis, thanks to Kreizler, of the intense intellectual argument that raged at that time over free will (William James) and behavioral determinism (championed by Kreizler). The latter theory was so repugnant with the nominally Christian upper class that Kreizler, although from that stratum of society, was nearly universally shunned.[return][return]The evocation of the seamiest areas of NW York--5 Points, the Tenderloin--and its bosses as well as police corruption that permitted the vice trades--is excellent, with the description of the roaring 'dives' that pandered to every taste in vice. The horrors of the life of the immigrant communities in the slums of Neew York is graphically portrayed.[return][return]The plot--the unfolding of the profile and then identification of the killer--is superbly done.[return][return]Excellent writing, fascinating characters, superb plotting, and the truly vivid evocation of the era make this a terrific read. Highly recommended.(less)

like 1 like

· see review

Jan 27, 2009

Dubin rated it

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 fo...more

like 5 likes

· see review

Jan 25, 2009

Bonnie Jeanne rated it

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 th...more

like 3 likes

· see review

Jan 08, 2009

Gette added it · review of another edition

Before CSI became all the rage and every man became a couch chair forensic expert, there was a time when forensic science and criminal profiling are considered abominations. Fingerprinting had just been discovered and still held little weight in a court of law. Psychiatry is regarded with deep suspicion and women have barely just been accepted into the work force. Meanwhile, a baffling new breed of criminal has entered the American society.[return][return]Narrated in the cynical voice of New Yor...moreBefore CSI became all the rage and every man became a couch chair forensic expert, there was a time when forensic science and criminal profiling are considered abominations. Fingerprinting had just been discovered and still held little weight in a court of law. Psychiatry is regarded with deep suspicion and women have barely just been accepted into the work force. Meanwhile, a baffling new breed of criminal has entered the American society.[return][return]Narrated in the cynical voice of New York Times police reporter John Moore, The Alienist opens with the gruesome discovery of a body. The victim is a cross-dressing boy prostitute, another abomination that New York society would not acknowledge in 1896. Despite the similarities to several past cases, the corrupted police department refuses to give it any serious consideration.[return][return]The only person who cared enough about what this means is Dr Laszlo Kreizler, a renowned alienist. Prior to the 20th century, people suffering from mental illness were thought to be "alienated" from their true natures as well as from society. The experts who studied mental pathologies were known as alienists. [return][return]Backed by Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt, Kreizler gathered together what was possibly the first CSI team consisting of himself, Moore, Roosevelt's secretary Sara Howard, and two Detective Sergeants who happen to be brothers, Marcus and Lucius Isaacson. [return][return]Playing equally vital roles are Kreizler's servants Cyrus Montrose and Stevie Taggert, both guilty of killing but proven through the argument of psychology that they are reacting to their upbringing and environment. Kreizler defends them in court and subsequently employs them.[return][return]The story is heavily focused on the bold new investigative techniques to track down the killer before he strikes again. Their efforts are frequently hampered by the New York gangs and policemen who are taking bribes from them. There are also important members of society who have their own reasons for not wanting the group to succeed.[return][return]The best part of this novel is the process. Of course they do catch their guy in the end, but that is less satisfying than the journey there. I thought that I was in a hurry to reach the ending, but I've read other comments that said the ending was a bit too rushed.[return][return]I noted with amusement that aside from the makeshift headquarters, most of their brainstorming happens over a meal in an expensive restaurant. [return][return]Like all other Carr novels I've read, his narrator tells the story in flashback, which means there's a lot of foreshadowing that something is about to go wrong. This is less irritating here than it was in Killing Time because The Alienist is indisputably a more superior book.[return][return](2006)(less)

like 1 like

· see review

Jan 06, 2009

Sapphire Pyro rated it

Shelves: favorites-top, series-grownup

Looking for a good historical crime novel? I highly recommend to you Caleb Carr's The Alienist. This book isn't just set in the past, but it has actual historical references (streets, establishments, etc.) and figures (Roosevelt, etc.). It had criminal investigations, but it's not limited to observing corpses, rather they also make use of advanced science (it's something new during those times, like fingerprint scanning) and psychology/psychiatry (by criminal profiling; understand the criminal's...moreLooking for a good historical crime novel? I highly recommend to you Caleb Carr's The Alienist. This book isn't just set in the past, but it has actual historical references (streets, establishments, etc.) and figures (Roosevelt, etc.). It had criminal investigations, but it's not limited to observing corpses, rather they also make use of advanced science (it's something new during those times, like fingerprint scanning) and psychology/psychiatry (by criminal profiling; understand the criminal's background and personality to figure out where he is now; that's something new before as well).

I believe what made this novel so awesome are the themes and issues that it tackles. First, there's the idea of what is sane and insane. As well as the nature of evil. Also modernization, like new investigation methods. Discrimination is also tackled here: sexual and social status (rich & poor). There are mature themes too, like extreme violence (from the murders, how gruesome) and sexual ones because of the prostitue victims (no actual sex/f*cking, fortunately). Other issues involved here too include politics, religion, and so forth. I really love it when a novel talks about the filths and hypocrites in society, like bastardly cops, selfish religious leaders, etc. It's very rich in themes that I'm afraid I don't think I can mention all of them!

The characters in this novel are fantastic! The novel's narrated in first person, by John Moore the Times journalist. Having it narrated by a journalist enables us to read a well written narrative, and with his knowledge with what's going on and his close relations to many of the characters makes it easy for us to understand the others better too. All characters are geniuses in their own ways for they aren't limited to police work because they have different specialties/professions (from psychology to medical/forensic and more). Some side characters are also great. There are servants with criminal records but they also get to do some action and are actually useful. Some characters are annoying from beginning to end; while some annoying ones turned out to be pretty cool later. Most of the characters, if not all, have been really interesting.

It's hard not to love some of the characters, because they are so colorful! Haha! Especially the main cast, because they're not flat nor totally boring. There are times where they do badass and amusing things too. I believe that I've also become attached to the characters because tragic deaths of several of them made me sad so much.The author had been cruel and amazing at the same time for doing such tragedies!

If there's something that I must mention that I didn't appreciate much in this novel, it will be the beginning and the ending. I don't like the beginning because . . .I totally can't connect it with the rest of the story. As for the ending . . . it made me go "That's it?!". But if I ignore those parts, almost everything in the novel had been so excellent. It was a page-turner! It had been difficult for me to let it down. That's why I had fnished it earlier than I plan to. Hehe.

I'm a lover of different genres and themes. The more genres a story has mixed in it, the more I love it. This novel has mystery, horror, tragedy, and a little of comedy and action. It involves issues concerning psychology, psychiatry, sociology, religion, politics, homosexuality, discrimination, etc. The Alienist had all these things mixed magnificently, so of course there's no surprise that I've loved the novel so much.

I don't know if I could consider this as the best thriller of all times (I usually read thrillers but I haven't read that many) but I'm definitely counting this as one of my top favorites.

~ Also posted @ my journal (less)

like 1 like

· see review

Dec 06, 2008

Don Rea rated it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. By an odd little coincidence, I learned of this book and of the location of its climactic confrontation scene independently of each other on the same recent weekend in New York. The friend with whom I was traveling wanted to see the original building of the Public Library (now the Humanities and Social Science Research Library), and by luck we happened to arrive just before a tour began; on that tour I first heard of the Croton Reservoir, which previously occupied the site of the library buildin...moreBy an odd little coincidence, I learned of this book and of the location of its climactic confrontation scene independently of each other on the same recent weekend in New York. The friend with whom I was traveling wanted to see the original building of the Public Library (now the Humanities and Social Science Research Library), and by luck we happened to arrive just before a tour began; on that tour I first heard of the Croton Reservoir, which previously occupied the site of the library building and whose stones now form part of the foundation. A little later, on the subway I was marveling at a rider's ability to read while standing and clinging to a pole, and noticed the title of her book: "'Alienist'?" I thought, "Isn't that the old word for psychologist?" - a fact I happened to know from reading a lot of Lovecraft - "I wonder what that's about?" Then the following week, rummaging through the extensive shelves, bags and piles of old paperbacks at my mother's house, I found a copy. Aha! My curiosity need not go unsatisfied.

I'd probably give this three and a half stars if that were possible. I enjoyed reading it a great deal, but there were a few rough spots in the plotting, and Carr's efforts to make the reader feel like an "insider" in fin-de-siècle New York by having the first-person narrator notice details around him that no actual city native would have thought worth mentioning gets a little forced. Also forced is the attempt to shoehorn Theodore Roosevelt into the story. That he would be involved to some extent is plausible enough, but when we get to the one-by-one catalogue of the Roosevelt children in their home, one feels just a bit embarrassed by the heavy hand with which it is done.

The narrative is a fun read, certainly. Theodore Roosevelt, the young, crusading President of the Police Commission, and Laszlo Kreizler, the titular alienist, call in the narrator, John Moore, a reporter for the New York Times, to help them plan a way to try and solve the especially bizarre and gruesome murder of a boy prostitute. Together their various skills and experiences, along with a few other police assigned to this special duty, bring them together as a team, as they realize that the murder is almost certainly one of a series, and that the murderer is probably acting from psychological deformities formed in childhood - a new and widely distrusted theory at the time.

The theorizing, plodding footwork, frustration, and occasional bursts of two-fisted action as they comb the city and, eventually, the country for the killer's identity, and try to learn or guess where he is and when and where he might strike again, are engaging and entertainingly told. The team occasionally falls on their collective face as they learn the hard way that some of the ideas of the time, like the notion that the retina retains the image of the last thing a dying person saw, are poppycock. But in the end Kreizler's theories prove to be a solid foundation for the pursuit, leading to the previously mentioned confrontation on the walls of the reservoir.

On the whole, the pleasure far outweighed the deficiencies. This is a great choice for anyone who enjoys a good thriller.(less)

like 1 like

· see review

Jan 09, 2012

LeeAnn rated it

The Alienist: A Novel By Caleb Carr

Carr had been the author of several historic works of non-fiction prior to embarking on this his first novel. So it is not curious that he would fill his novel with rich historic detail and characters who leap out as we know them from news of the past had painted them to us explicitly.

One such character is Teddy Roosevelt, Commissioner of the New York police department. Portrayed in his full bully persona, Roosevelt plays a part in all...moreThe Alienist: A Novel By Caleb Carr

Carr had been the author of several historic works of non-fiction prior to embarking on this his first novel. So it is not curious that he would fill his novel with rich historic detail and characters who leap out as we know them from news of the past had painted them to us explicitly.

One such character is Teddy Roosevelt, Commissioner of the New York police department. Portrayed in his full bully persona, Roosevelt plays a part in allowing his old Harvard college buddies his support in capturing a serial killer using cutting edge techniques of the day including profiling and fingerprinting, in their earliest stages of acceptance by the legal system of the day.

The Alienist , refers to a common term for a psychologist, here known as Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, a specialist in children of tragic circumstances who become victims and perpetrators of crime. A series of murders with horribly mutilated adolescent boys, all prostitutes from New York brothels, pulls the doctor and his team including New York Times reporter John Schuyler Moore, Sara Howard, who works as a secretary in the police department, two Jewish detectives trained in the strange new science of 'forensics', a black man in service to the doctor after being tried for murder and Stevie, a young boy the doctor has befriended, into a bizarre series of investigations. Colorful people and places known to New York City’s past play minor parts in coloring this adventure with sights, sounds and tastes that transport you into a different era. Carr holds your attention and leaves you wanting more.

If you enjoy Carr check out this book too:

The Angel of Darkness by Caleb Carr (1998, Paperback) Book Club rated this book A
My Review
Our book club, the Seasoned Readers Club on Meetup read Caleb Carr's " The Alienist" several months ago and loved it so much we voted to read the "New York Times" bestselling sequel, "The Angel of Darkness".

The characters in these books become your friends and you get to know them so well you sometimes can predict what they will do next. But you won't predict the end of this book and all of the twists and turns.

It is about a turn-of-the-century doctor who tracks a cunning killer in this historical thriller. Dr. Kreizler, the Alienist, (a doctor of psychology in those days) investigates the kidnapping of the baby daughter of the wife of a Spanish diplomat, who ties into the politics of the day, and in the process uncovering a fiendish woman who has already murdered a number of children including her own. The cunning murderer is defended by the great Clarence Darrow in a riveting trial before he became so well known. The book is filled with real people in history like Diamond Jim Brady and Lillian Russell. Even the geography of the day with tourist gaming towns and bridges playing into the story are fascinating details. Forensics was a new science and well proven evidence of today, like unique rifling of a bullet’s fingerprint, was being invented and rejected by some as fact or fiction.
(less)

like 1 like

· see review

Dec 29, 2011

Patrick rated it

I had trouble picking between 3 and 4 stars for this book. On the one hand the story is incredibly engaging, and the characters are well written. It's a 600 page book, and at no point did I find myself asking "Is this ever going to end? Let's get to it?" The characters introduced and the topics discussed all seemed integral to a good story. On the other hand? I could have done without every single famous person from that era of NYC history being introduced as playing a major part. Coul...more

like 1 like

· see review

title link	preview: The Alienist
avg rating	preview: The Alienist Goodreads rating: 3.96 (26761 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40024.The_Alienist?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1169386132m/40024.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40024.The_Alienist?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]The Alienist by Caleb Carr[/url]

The Alienist (Dr. Laszlo Kreizler #1)

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (36)

Genres

Readers Also Enjoyed

About Caleb Carr

Books by Caleb Carr

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About The Alienist

Quotes from The Alienist

Groups That Shelved The Alienist