The Blue Suit: A Memoir of Crime

by Richard Rayner

The British-born and educated writer describes living in both England and the United States, his Cambridge education, and his relationship with his parents

Genres: Novels

216 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Richard Rayner is a British author who now lives in Los Angeles. He was born on December 15, 1955 in the northern city of Bradford. Rayner attended schools in Yorkshire and Wales before studying philosophy and law at the University of Cambridge. He has worked as an editor at Time Out Magazine, in London, and later on the literary magazine Granta, then based in Cambridge.

Rayner is the author of nine books. His first, Los Angeles Without A Map, was published in 1988. Part-fiction, part-travelogue, this was turned into a movie L.A. Without a Map (for which Rayner co-wrote the screenplay with director Mika Kaurismaki) starring David Tennant, Vinessa Shaw, Julie Delpy, Vincent Gallo, and, in an uncredited part, Johnny Depp.
(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this one sneaks up on you. The first few pages are so-so, British guy now living in L.A. writing about his childhood, his shady dad, then about attending Cambridge. Sharply written but not particularly compelling material. Then he steals his first book, and it's a headlong locomotive on a twisting, turning track right until the end. Loved it.

[Regan Ander · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable, I read it within a day. The characters lack of identity does drag on a bit but I find myself (someone lacking identity) enjoying the conclusion. The best bit is the shortest and the weakest the longest, though still holding compelling and necessary pieces. I hope to revisit and give more decisive thoughts.

[Amar Pai · Rating 2 out of 5]

Memoir of a Cambridge-educated klepto who became a writer for Time Out while dabbling further in crime. It just didn't grab me. I found it quite boring and gave up half way through.

[Kevin Dern]

Engrossing. Read in 24 hours.