Jerry Delfont leads an aimless life in Calcutta, struggling in vain against his writer's block, or 'dead hand,' and flitting around the edges of a ...
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Jan 04, 2012
Annabelle
rated it: 
Well Theroux is an outstanding fiction technician. But like P D James, maybe he has written a few too many. There is not much of a plot in this book, other than his alter ego’s, Jerry Delfont, obsession with a mysterious, tantric, wealthy US woman in Calcutta. It is preposterous, but one does become captivated by the inner world of this obsession. I’m surprise that Theroux who is supposedly such a well-traveled, culturally competent in India writer, that he’d use the colonial names for citi
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Aug 22, 2011
Judith
rated it: 
As the train came to a halt, a middle-aged black man walked up to me.
“Paul Theroux”, he pointed at my book. “He’s a great author!
I read his book about a train journey.
From the East coast of the US to the West coast.
Amtrak, trains’ walls made of Perspex. Marvelous!”
I said I hadn’t read it yet, but it sounded promising.
“Indeed!” The man leaned in to me a bit.
“I saved all my money, and then I went there, with my wife.
The train went straight through More...
“Paul Theroux”, he pointed at my book. “He’s a great author!
I read his book about a train journey.
From the East coast of the US to the West coast.
Amtrak, trains’ walls made of Perspex. Marvelous!”
I said I hadn’t read it yet, but it sounded promising.
“Indeed!” The man leaned in to me a bit.
“I saved all my money, and then I went there, with my wife.
The train went straight through More...
Oct 17, 2010
Cameling
rated it:
Known for his travel essays, Paul releases a novel that takes us to the hidden areas of Calcutta not commonly visited by tourists. A travel writer with writer's block, receives a letter that intrigues him. He decides to visit the author of the letter and in doing so, he is unwittingly drawn into a mysterious woman's web of tantric massages, the slums of Calcutta, orphaned children, rescued children, temple sacrifices, oh and a dead body wrapped in a carpet that appeared one evening in an Indian
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Jul 05, 2010
Amy
rated it: 
There was lots I liked about this book. First was the view of Calcutta in the description of an experienced travel writer -- using as his main character an experienced travel writer. I liked his ability to render a sense of place -- and of worlds within that place-- the clean and wealthy enclaves, the dirty, smelly streets, the use and abuse of the poor by the rich. I liked the main character's sense of rootlessness and his self-consciousness about it. But most of all I liked the way Theroux
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Mar 25, 2010
Tony
rated it: 
Theroux, Paul. A DEAD HAND: A Crime in Calcutta. (2010). ***. I was looking forward to this new novel by Theroux, but was sadly disappointed by it. It is not among his better works. He is well known for both his mainstream fictions and his travel books. Although this novel is set in India, it is not a travel book. It is also not a crime novel as the subtitle would lead you to suspect. Although sprinkled throughout with fine writing, the book as a whole falls flat and wonders why the au
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Mar 08, 2010
Ed
rated it:
Jerry Delfont is a single middle aged travel writer in Calcutta who has writer's block. He is not a warm and fuzzy type of guy. He is enlisted by a mysterious beautiful American woman who proclaims herself to be a charitable benefactor on the order of Mother Theresa, but she is quick to point out that she is not always trying to wheedle money from donors like Mother T. The woman wants him to inquire about a dead body found in her son's friends hotel room.
Jerry has been alone for a l More...
Jerry has been alone for a l More...
Feb 07, 2010
christa
rated it:
One of the best things about reading "A Dead Hand," is diving face-first into sixty-something writer Paul Theroux's scenes of epic tantric massages, then flipping to the author's bio on the dust jacket and giggling about how that man wrote these scenes.
For one thing, Theroux looks like a hybrid of Mr. Rourke from "Fantasy Island," and our former next door neighbor, a bronzed-skin scuba fanatic who sunned in a hammock on his deck with a Speedo balled up and bala More...
For one thing, Theroux looks like a hybrid of Mr. Rourke from "Fantasy Island," and our former next door neighbor, a bronzed-skin scuba fanatic who sunned in a hammock on his deck with a Speedo balled up and bala More...
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Jan 30, 2011
Chris
rated it:
More of a 2.5; I might round up later.
I am really not sure how I feel about this book. On one hand, it does make me want to read Theroux's travel writing. I like his style.
On the other hand, it's just plain strange. It starts out as a mystery/travel piece, morphs into some quasi romance book, then the author himself appears in the books (FYI, I don't like it when this happens. The only time I didn't get p.o.ed at it was with Orhan Pamuk did it because then it made sen More...
I am really not sure how I feel about this book. On one hand, it does make me want to read Theroux's travel writing. I like his style.
On the other hand, it's just plain strange. It starts out as a mystery/travel piece, morphs into some quasi romance book, then the author himself appears in the books (FYI, I don't like it when this happens. The only time I didn't get p.o.ed at it was with Orhan Pamuk did it because then it made sen More...
Apr 04, 2010
Sharon
rated it:
I wish I could give this book 6 stars. The image of Goddess Kali on the book jacket is haunting and disturbing, and though I had to put the book face down when I wasn't reading it, I found the book to be completely gripping.
The book starts out slowly, and we're introduced to the protagonist. He's a writer, he's living in Calcutta, India, and he's got "writer's block" or "dead hand" and appears to be a bit pathetic and aimless. He's managed to avoid society's expec More...
The book starts out slowly, and we're introduced to the protagonist. He's a writer, he's living in Calcutta, India, and he's got "writer's block" or "dead hand" and appears to be a bit pathetic and aimless. He's managed to avoid society's expec More...
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Nov 19, 2009
Anne
rated it:
Paul Theoux has written many fiction books but is best known for his travel writing. A Dead Hand is the first of his books that I have read, and to be honest, it will probably be the last.
As the title implies; A Dead Hand : A Crime In Calcutta, is set in India and is narrated by an American writer called Jeffrey Delfont.
Delfont has been giving a series of lectures and now has some free time to spend in Calcutta - he is also suffering from writer's block (dead hand). Delfont receives More...
As the title implies; A Dead Hand : A Crime In Calcutta, is set in India and is narrated by an American writer called Jeffrey Delfont.
Delfont has been giving a series of lectures and now has some free time to spend in Calcutta - he is also suffering from writer's block (dead hand). Delfont receives More...
Feb 11, 2011
Marie
rated it:
Read my blog post for links to information about Mother Teresa: http://mariesbookgarden.blogspot.com/201...
I first discovered Paul Theroux back in my early 20s when I was living in Japan and traveling through Asia. Theroux wrote about his adventures on the Trans-Siberian Railway across Asia and Russia in The Great Railway Bazaar, the fascinating book that launched the travel memoir industry. I also read Riding the Iron Rooster about Theroux's travels in China. Theroux is a keen observ More...
I first discovered Paul Theroux back in my early 20s when I was living in Japan and traveling through Asia. Theroux wrote about his adventures on the Trans-Siberian Railway across Asia and Russia in The Great Railway Bazaar, the fascinating book that launched the travel memoir industry. I also read Riding the Iron Rooster about Theroux's travels in China. Theroux is a keen observ More...
Apr 11, 2010
Andie
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Dec 17, 2010
Anne
rated it:
I enjoy Paul Theroux's non-fiction travel books, and I have a tendency to like everything about India for reasons I cannot explain. Recently, I've been on a mystery kick. So, when I saw this book - a fictional murder mystery set in Calcutta by Theroux, I had to check it out. This is a strange little story about a writer, suffering from writer's block (a dead hand), who receives a letter from a philanthropist asking for his help solving a possible crime. Unable to resist, the writer follows up a
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Apr 06, 2010
Bookmarks Magazine
rated it:
Theroux's latest novel galvanized critics, who found very little middle ground. Detractors pointed to a rickety plot, inexplicably abandoned subplots, flat secondary characters, repetitious imagery, narrative inconsistencies, and tediously long-winded descriptions of Tantric sex. Admirers, by contrast, praised Theroux's richly drawn main characters, graceful prose, and macabre humor. Reviewers also had mixed reactions to his insertion of himself as a character into the story--comic, clever, or c
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Feb 03, 2011
Ellen
rated it:
I hear Paul Theroux is a well-known travel writer, but I've never read anything else by him. This book was a disappointment. The story of a travel writer suffering from writer's block--he uses the term "dead hand"--in India who gets involved with an American philanthropist had potential, but the writing is dreary, repeatitive, and entirely too self-aware. Here's an example: "Was it possible to desire anyone more than I desired Mrs Unger? I didn't think so..." (p. 115). I
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Jun 21, 2010
Suzanne
rated it:
Another crime novel but I was intrigued by this one merely by the fact that it was written by Paul Theroux, who is just about the world's greatest authority on Chinese railroads and the railway system in China. He is also an excellent writer of travel books, mainly in Asia and the Pacific, as well as some noteworthy fiction. But I really like the way he writes a sentence. It's never boring and always intriguing and sometimes I don't care if there is a plotline, the way he composes and puts wo
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May 26, 2011
Erin
rated it:
I don't know...I liked this book...but, because of the subtitle, I expected there to be more of a "crime" aspect. In reality, this was more of a romance novel, with a little bit of crime/mystery hiding in the background.
If I'd been looking for a romance/atmospheric novel, this book would have fit the bill pretty well. Theroux is very detailed in his descriptions and you can almost feel what he is feeling and see what he is seeing.
If I was going to rate this book on it's si More...
If I'd been looking for a romance/atmospheric novel, this book would have fit the bill pretty well. Theroux is very detailed in his descriptions and you can almost feel what he is feeling and see what he is seeing.
If I was going to rate this book on it's si More...
Aug 02, 2010
Kasia
rated it:
This was my first time reading Thoreaux but I absolutely loved it. The breath taking cover adorned with haunting blue's, fuchsia and gold made me feel like I was closer to India and the story itself was rich and decadent, it unfolded lazily at its own speed, oozing mystery and sultriness like a melting camembert, it captured my interest but it's not a lightning fast read, it's not meant to be. Not every story has to be a nonstop bucket of ice cream, the melting thrill screams to be eaten before
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Jun 11, 2011
Martin
rated it:
This was an easy read and didn't quite make it to the 3-Star status. The story and the plot were fine and might have been better in another author's hands. The "affair" between the two main characters was melodramatic and their love scenes were silly.
I wasn't quite clear as to what type of commentary Theroux was making about himself when he wrote himself in as a character (who appears in chapter 9) and it is not a flattering picture. You have Theroux writing an interac More...
I wasn't quite clear as to what type of commentary Theroux was making about himself when he wrote himself in as a character (who appears in chapter 9) and it is not a flattering picture. You have Theroux writing an interac More...
Nov 07, 2010
Ashland Mystery
rated it:
I've always enjoyed Theroux's travel writing and am embarassed to admit that I didn't realize he also wrote fiction. This one was great, and so fun to read Theroux's travel narrative as crime fiction narrative. The detail of living in India was extraordinary - no romanticism, just poverty, crime and desperate survival, with hope shining through in some very small ways. Theroux's perspective on meeting himself was hilarious and I re-read it several times, thinking of the metaphor of the dead hand
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Mar 26, 2010
Nancy
rated it:
This was an odd, atmospheric book and, if the author's objective was to create a tension and sense of unease in the reader he was indeed successful.
I am not familiar with any of Theroux's other writing but his experience as a travel writer certainly enabled him to imbue this book with a sense of place. I have not travelled to India--nor aspired to--but the people and the culture presented in this novel definitely come alive. In a way, I felt that I was journeying with the narrator; I More...
I am not familiar with any of Theroux's other writing but his experience as a travel writer certainly enabled him to imbue this book with a sense of place. I have not travelled to India--nor aspired to--but the people and the culture presented in this novel definitely come alive. In a way, I felt that I was journeying with the narrator; I More...
Jun 24, 2011
Cynthia
rated it:
Well written but clunky. What I took away from reading this book is that Paul Theroux would be tons of fun to have dinner with but that maybe he shouldn't be writing novels any longer. This really a story about an older man looking for love and wondering if he can ever settle down; the Hitchcockian McGuffin involves a mysterious American woman living in India who entices and deceives him. The mechanics of the plot peek through like broken bone through skin; and he's heavy handed with the foresh
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Feb 04, 2010
Sviat
rated it:
"A Dead Head" by Paul Theroux
As a Theroux fan of long standing, I wanted to like "A Dead Hand." I hoped for a strong fiction comeback after the lackluster "Elephanta Suite." Like "Elephanta," the setting is again India and Theroux's observational descriptions are as sharp as ever. However, in this latest novel, the character portrayals and motives seem forced, finally unbelievable despite repeated efforts to convince us.
Theroux turns post More...
As a Theroux fan of long standing, I wanted to like "A Dead Hand." I hoped for a strong fiction comeback after the lackluster "Elephanta Suite." Like "Elephanta," the setting is again India and Theroux's observational descriptions are as sharp as ever. However, in this latest novel, the character portrayals and motives seem forced, finally unbelievable despite repeated efforts to convince us.
Theroux turns post More...
Nov 08, 2011
Marcella
rated it:
This is on par with other Paul Theroux fiction. I like Paul Theroux's fiction. The only reason I rated this as 3 stars and not more is because he wrote himself into the story. I'm still mulling over the significance that. If I figure it out I will rate this book with more stars. If you figure it out, send me a message.
Overall, I thought it was an engaging story. The plot kept moving towards something that is revealed at the end. If you liked Blinding Light and The Stranger at the Palazzo More...
Overall, I thought it was an engaging story. The plot kept moving towards something that is revealed at the end. If you liked Blinding Light and The Stranger at the Palazzo More...
Dec 11, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
Jerry's been a travel writer for years. Based in Calcutta, he is hurting for inspiration. He receives a letter from a philanthropic American woman, Ms. Unger, seeking his investigative help in a bizarre murder. Bored with his writing, he agrees to help her. He gets seduced by Ms. Unger, and her tantric nature intrigues him. But he finds himself getting wrapped up in her shady business practices, and her giving nature has a sorid dark side.
Jan 22, 2010
Hayden
rated it: 
A great example of post-modernism gone horribly wrong. I stopped reading this book at about the halfway point when the author introduces himself into the narrative. I suspect he did this because he realized the lame narrator -- a late middle aged white travel writer -- might be mistaken for himself. What I did read was well-written in terms of the prose style but was not worth the time invested. There may have been 'a crime in Calcutta' but only if that is where this book was written.
Aug 08, 2011
Paul Theroux is a great observer. This book has some good writing with pretty accurate and insightful observations about the city and the people. However, as a "novel", this is disappointing. Predictable plot, and over-the-top story development. It's still worth reading for some good commentary bits. And the appearance by Paul Theroux himself as a character was amusing.
Jul 29, 2011
Tony
rated it:
Having read many of Theroux's books and being a fan I wouldn't classify this as one of his best. However, having said that it kept me enthralled and I didn't put it down till I finished. As always, very perceptive of the location in which it is set. I'm not too sure about the way Mother Theresa is portrayed, I'll have to look into how much truth there is in that characterisation.
Feb 23, 2010
Wally
rated it:
I'm not a big fan of mysteries and I have recently read several books set in India so I was leary about this book but read it anyway because I was goiing to hear Paul Theroux speak. I was surprised at how it captured me although I must say I suspected the 'culprit' the whole time; nevertheless, it was a fun read. And, Paul Theroux was a very interesting speaker. He didn't talk about his books as much as he talked about the importance of 'reading and remembering.'
Apr 07, 2010
Harvee
rated it:
I am only in the middle of the book but think I've figured out the culprit(s) and the motive. Maybe I'll be wrong? Update: I'm not wrong! I gave this book 4 stars as a travel book, 4 stars as a book about social injustice, and 3 stars as crime fiction. My full review...
