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The Alienist
The Alienist
The Alienist
Audiobook20 hours

The Alienist

Written by Caleb Carr

Narrated by George Guidall

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4/5

()

About this audiobook

A new breed of evil in Old New York

New York, 1886: Lower Manhattan's underworld is ruled by a new generation of cold-blooded criminals...Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt battles widespread corruption within the department's ranks...and a shockingly brutal murder sets off an investigation that could change crime-fighting forever.

In the middle of a wintry March night, New York Times reporter John Moore is summoned to the East River by his friend Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, a brilliant pioneer in the new and much-maligned discipline of psychology, the emerging study of society's "alienated" mentally ill. There they view the horribly mutilated body of a young boy, a prostitute from one of Manhattan's infamous brothels. Supervised by Commissioner Roosevelt, the newsman and his "alienist" mentor embark on a revolutionary attempt to identify the killer by assembling his psychological profile -- a dangerous quest that takes them into the tortured past and twisted mind of a murderer who has killed before...and will kill again before the hunt is over.

As rich in vivid period ambience as Ragtime and Time and Again, and as relentlessly suspenseful as Red Dragon or The Silence of the Lambs, The Alienist will take you to a New York that no longer exists -- to confront an evil of timeless savagery.

Editor's Note

Lush details of NY…

This historical thriller follows a psychologist, a NYT crime reporter, and an NYPD secretary trying to track down a serial killer. Loaded with lush details of turn-of-the-20th-century NY. The TV adaptation stars Daniel Brühl, Luke Evans, and Dakota Fanning.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateNov 6, 2012
ISBN9781442361836
The Alienist
Author

Caleb Carr

Caleb Carr is the critically acclaimed author of The Alienist, The Angel of Darkness, The Lessons of Terror, Killing Time, The Devil Soldier, The Italian Secretary, The Legend of Broken, and Surrender, New York. He has taught military history at Bard College, and worked extensively in film, television, and the theater. His military and political writings have appeared in numerous magazines and periodicals, among them The Washington Post, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. He lives in upstate New York.

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Reviews for The Alienist

Rating: 4.012409733961671 out of 5 stars
4/5

3,183 ratings140 reviews

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  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Overall this was a good book. However, it was a little too long. I would have given it a four if the author would not have drug it out so much. The ending went by quickly. Jesse Pomeroy was mentioned in this book, and he really did exist. I read a book on him. What I liked about this book was realizing that murder 100 or more years ago was treated differently. There were no methods. Depending on the status of the murdered person made a difference on whether the murder was investigated or not.
  • Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
    1/5
    Sucks very much I do not like this story nope
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I listened to this book after having seen the TV mini series several years ago.
    The audio book: The narrator did an excellent job with keeping the voice characterizations clear and distinct. The pacing was good (at regular speed) and overall, this is an excellent choice for an audiobook if you like a story that has lots of twists and turns but is not too convoluted as as to be too difficult to listen to while doing other tasks. Having seen the mini series, I had expectations about the chatacters, but the narrator was quick to dispel them by his excellent story telling.
    The story: I had seen the mini-series, so I knew what to expect in some ways, but the novel eschewed a few things and I think made the story more clear and more pleasant. I admit that I miss the details about the Isaacson's Jewish Jewish heritage because it framed them better in the time and place, but at least it removed an awkward and unnecessary love story-as well and an equally awkward and inappropriate love story between Kreisler and Mary, which was better handled in the book. Speaking of, the way the author handled the coarse instances of poverty, racism, sexism, sex work, transsexualism, rape, and child abuse was as tactfully handled and sensitive as one could ever hope, while keeping in theme of the persons of the time. It didn't sacrifice the period appropriate mores yet was respectful to the modern listener as our narrator was a caring person. I enjoyed the narrator's description of things fair and foul, each given the most lush and full description suiting a man of letters as Moore was. Descriptions of dead cats, opera, fights, sumptuous meals, sweaty tenements, beautiful women, feelings, and physicality of each character was given appropriate time and depth without lagging. It really is a picturesque novel witha great deal of sensitivity toward each character, even the "bad guys" On top of all this, a bit of New York (and national) history with colorful interpretations of real and combined figures. As a former anthropologist, I enjoyed the early references to previous medical and sociological practices. All of these things seem to have been well-researched.
    A historical "who-dunnit" with a sensitive morality that never dips to the maudlin, with a hopeful thru-line. If you like mysteries and/or historical fiction, I highly recommend it.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    It's a long story but enjoyable. Not the kind of ending I was expected but can't complain
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book was great. And the narrator was perfect for this style of writing. The book Reminded me of Sherlock Holmes and the characters were so colorful. 5 stars all the way.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    The Alienist is the perfect combination of thriller and history lesson. NYC in 1896 was so different than it is now. I enjoyed learning about the city and the times almost as much as the main story line. Tight, insightful, compelling, and truly thought provoking. And expertly narrated to boot!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Excellent narrator!! He really makes the book. I originally found it difficult to get through this while reading, and then picked up the audio and was able to finish in a couple days.

    It's very interesting in how different from other books it is.

    If you enjoy history and architecture, psychology and investigations, you'll enjoy this blend of crime and historical fiction set in 19th century NYC.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Really enjoyed the audiobook! I felt he could have delved more into personal friendships/relationships between the main characters other than just Roosevelt, Kreizler and Moore. There were changes here and there from the miniseries, but the changes in miniseries I truly loved. I recommend checking out both!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Gripping, thrilling and superbly written and read. Brought me to the verge of tears multiple times
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This book was by far a long read but a good one. I loved the television show that was made based on this book, and while some parts were different, the book was still as good as the television show. Caleb Carr is a wonderful, detailed writer and I look forward in continuing this series, as well as others by him if I can find them!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    The last chapters were the best. Much better than the series.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I normally don't like abridged books, but, due to the gruesome topic, I was fine with it with this one.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This psychological thriller has many references to factual events and people. We were disappointed in his treatment of the female character, though.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Great mystery, and great depiction of 19th-century New York. The darker side of Washington Square, that's for sure.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    If you enjoy learning about the Gilded Age, you'll like this murder mystery set in late nineteenth century Manhattan.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Thoroughly enjoyed this book.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    What a fantastic book and well worth pulling off the shelves for a re-read (I know it was a re-read because the bookmark was still in place!). Told with all the grime and opulence and change that was 1896 New York City, it also describes the work of an early psychologist or Alienist, as the title was at the time. The book opens (after a chapter giving the details of their lives told over dinner decades later) with John Schuyler Moore, a police beat reporter, and his friend, Laszlo Kreizler, investigating what becomes a string of murders of young boy prostitutes. The burgeoning idea of speaking to the insane without the use of drugs and recognizing the effects of abuse on children has influenced Kreizler to use his methods to find this killer.Woven into this story is the new Commissioner of Police, Theodore Roosevelt, and a woman who wants nothing more than to investigate crimes with the police department. On her own terms. A pair of brothers rounds out the investigative team and their methods that are commonplace today: finding an isolated room for their research, writing ideas onto chalkboards to find commonalities, and knocking on door after door to find and track down possible clues. Each new set of ideas brings different aspects of New York's City life to the growing investigation.Putting together the pieces of this murderer, what motivates him to choose his victims, what his childhood was like, and when he might strike next are brilliantly done. I have not seen the TV series based on this book so there were no spoilers for me. Just good, gritty, historical story-telling at its finest.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Pretty graphic, but very good writing and storytelling.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    I didn't realize that this was an abridged version (I was lured by the 4 hour duration, considering how far behind my reading goal I am), so it was a little disappointing. The characters were surface level only and the action went in leaps and bounds rather than in a measured pace. That being said, I was able to follow the story even if a lot of the detail was left out and I can see the appeal of some of the characters.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Excellent, intricate thriller.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I read this back when it first came out, cue smug smile, and am pleased it is now on television.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Early days before forensic investigation was a practice, Dr. Kreizler and his team of gifted amateurs are seeking the slayer of young children. Aptly staged and set in Victorian NYC, it is a good first entry in what is hoped to be a continuing series.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I enjoyed the plot and the story, and I really enjoyed the "science" in the book as well. It was well written without being overbearing and while it is obviously not modern methods, it was still interesting to read the methods of the time.

    I hated how the book was written though. I'm already not the biggest fan of first person books and since this one was written by the narrator from the future the foreshadowing was very very heavy handed. I was never really able to sink into the actual story and get caught up in it. Also, since the narrator was so detached from the story, I was also detached and didn't really care about any of the characters.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This book was hard to get through at times but the setting and rich historical detail really made up for it. I enjoyed the irascible characters and clever dialogue, and the psychoanalysis element was interesting, too. There were a few times that I thought to myself, I get it, you used primary sources in your research, but in general I was pretty immersed in the story.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    A bit too long and slow in parts for my taste, but very interesting historically and psychologically.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Detective stories are not, have never been, and never will be “my thing;” however, I don't want to grow stagnant as a reader, guilty of not trying to branch out from time to time. The Alienist came with high marks from many friends, so I thought it might be worth venturing into this uncomfortable territory. As my opinions on mysteries are probably not worth paying much attention to, I'm just going to quickly highlight what I liked and what I didn't.What I liked: 1) Caleb Carr clearly put ample research into the period and the setting. The details are an impressive collection.2) Carr introduces some wonderful characters who fall into some stereotypes, defy others, but never fail to be interesting.3) The introduction of historical figures I was unfamiliar with (e.g., Jesse Pomeroy), forcing me to conduct some good old-fashioned research (i.e., Google).4) When the plot moves, it's very fast paced.5) It's more psychological and cerebral than I expected.What I didn't like: 1) Well researched—yes, but painfully so. The story is bogged down by the inclusion of so many details.2) Carr ignores the best characters for the majority of the novel. Though they're major players, the bulk of the second half of this novel focuses on Moore and Kreizler—fine characters, but lacking magic.3) The shoehorning of historical figures (e.g.,Theodore Roosevelt) that I could've done without.4) It's far too long. When the pacing slows, it really slows.5) It's still a plot-based mystery and well... as we've established, that's “not my thing.”At its best, The Alienist exceeded my expectations—and I must give it credit for that—but too often it was mediocre at best, largely the result of too much detail, too many pages, and not enough of knowing when to quit.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Even though there are some gruesome parts to this book, it is a fantastic story. The alienation is the new therapist trying to prove his theory about why killers become killers. The descriptions of New York City at the time are fantastic and his introduction to the new forensics is interesting.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    It’s the late 19th century. A psychologist (aka “alienist”), a reporter, a secretary for the police (who wants to be an officer herself), and two detectives interested in pursuing new methods of solving crimes work together to find a serial killer – someone who’s been murdering young boy prostitutes. The psychologist is interested in profiling, something that’s not really been done before.Overall, I’m rating this ok. It was slow moving, though it picked up somewhat in the last third to quarter of the book. There were times I found it a bit hard to follow, as sometimes a character’s first name, and sometimes their last name was used. I didn’t like the end, but I did enjoy reading about the beginning of profiling and “new” techniques of solving crimes – things like fingerprinting, photographing the imprint of last seen image on the victim’s eye, etc.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    Meandering and dragging, especially near the end.It was interesting, albeit, but not a recommended read.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Carr is a historian first and storyteller second, which is especially clear in his frequent "info dumps." (These rival Neal Stephenson's for frequency, but lack NS's pizzazz or lyrical wit.) Still, this is a really enjoyable book, and I honestly couldn't stop reading. Definitely one I'd visit again.