The Killer Inside Me by Jim Thompson Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Killer Inside Me
Book Review: Bland by today's standards
Summary: 3 Stars
While I read "Killer Inside of Me" a few months ago I can barely remember much about it. This novel was originally released in the 1950's when it was probably a very shocking book.At that time very few, if any, writers were writing about sociopaths (except maybe Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood" - which by the way, is STILL an excellent novel) so maybe Jim Thompson struck a nerve however in today's society where sociopath is a common word and to see violence all we need do is turn on the local news - this novel seems bland and outdated.
While Thompson used some amazing techniques to talk about the killer inside deputy Lou Ford, the inner monologue can sometimes be tedious. Like Hitchcock, Thompson used the first person narrative to show how normal Lou seems to the world and how rational he is about the killing. He makes the reader take Lou's side instead of seeing him as a monster.
This novel is certainly a good read if you remember when it was written and that it is probably the basis for many of the popular murder mystery novels today and Thompson is one of a few writers that paved the way for today's popular authors.
I read a bunch of the other reviews here and was surprised to see people raving about how amazing the book is. I must say I don't agree. This book is a decent read, less interesting in the sense of the plot but more interesting when looked at in the context of it's place within the "History of Mystery".
Book Review: Bland by today's standards
Summary: 3 Stars
While I read "Killer Inside of Me" a few months ago I can barely remember much about it. This novel was originally released in the 1950's when it was probably a very shocking book.At that time very few, if any, writers were writing about sociopaths (except maybe Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood" - which by the way, is STILL an excellent novel) so maybe Jim Thompson struck a nerve however in today's society where sociopath is a common word and to see violence all we need do is turn on the local news - this novel seems bland and outdated.
While Thompson used some amazing techniques to talk about the killer inside deputy Lou Ford, the inner monologue can sometimes be tedious. Like Hitchcock, Thompson used the first person narrative to show how normal Lou seems to the world and how rational he is about the killing. He makes the reader take Lou's side instead of seeing him as a monster.
This novel is certainly a good read if you remember when it was written and that it is probably the basis for many of the popular murder mystery novels today and Thompson is one of a few writers that paved the way for today's popular authors.
I read a bunch of the other reviews here and was surprised to see people raving about how amazing the book is. I must say I don't agree. This book is a decent read, less interesting in the sense of the plot but more interesting when looked at in the context of it's place within the "History of Mystery".
Book Review: Brilliant
Summary: 5 Stars
If you like crime fiction or true crime, buy this book. Read it. There's really no point in my waffling on at length: it's just plain brilliant.Book Review: Chilling. Great read.
Summary: 5 Stars
This book has a bit of the feel of "American Psycho." It feels pedestrian, and suddenly there's this ultraviolence.
It has a nice sting in the tail. Since it's a plot-spoiler, I'll say nothing.
Book Review: Cold and Brutal
Summary: 4 Stars
The few people who have given this work such poor reviews most likely are looking for a book with a higher body count and a lower degree of insight. The few killings for which we are witness are indeed brutal and repulsive acts. No matter if they happen in 1952 or 2003. The look inside the killer is not frantic or eratic but is cold and harsh and probing.