The Alienist

By: Caleb Carr

Narrated by: Edward Herrmann

Length: 4 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

New York, 1896: Reporter John Moore is summoned to the East River by his friend, psychiatrist Laszlo Kreizler, a brilliant pioneer in the new and much-maligned study of society's "alienated" mentally ill. At the river, Moore and Kreizler view the horribly mutilated body of a young male prostitute from one of Manhattan's infamous brothels. Supervised by the police commissioner, the newsman and his "alienist" mentor embark on a revolutionary attempt to identify the killer by assembling his psychological profile. Their dangerous quest takes them into the tortured past and twisted mind of a murderer who has killed before...and will kill again.

©1994 Caleb Carr, All Rights Reserved (P)1994 Simon & Schuster Inc., All Rights Reserved

Abridged! NO!! /cry

I thought it was strange that the book was only 4+ hours and it wasn't until the end credits did I hear the dreaded word "abridged"! Other than feeling robbed of a more in-depth read it's still a great story.

Great Story, Excellent Narration!

I got the abbrieviated version of The Alienest as part of a BOGO special, and because I love Edward Herrmann's narrations... this was great! Now I almost wish I'd gotten the long version by my other favorite narrator, George Guidell!

ERRIE AND BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN

I actually read this book when it first came out, and was very pleased with the narrated book. VERY well done, and a great "read".

Good as far as it went

Would you listen to The Alienist again? Why?

No. A good enough story, but not sufficient for a second listen.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Obviously the heroine.

What about Edward Herrmann’s performance did you like?

Yes, well done

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no

Death and Decay inhabit more then the murders

I admit this was not the type of book I'd pick up for fun, I was told to read for a class on cultural History in North America on the advance of the Prof with the cheery comment that it was a best seller and write by a person with an MA in History.

If you LIKE Freud theories of childhood, poop and sex then you may very well find the ideas of a police investigation team using them to be interest and exciting. The murders are grim, dark and of children.

The main "police" characters are flat, having each a single attribute of virtue and nothing else to define them.

The Reporter - Bravery - though it look more like fool heartiness
The Female Admin - Knowledge of Children - not that she has any
The Good Doctor - Intelligent - or more correctly the ability to connect the others ideas into a chain

Edward Herrmann does a good job, giving each of the characters there own voice and feel but is fighting an uphill battle with 1 D plot and little better characters. Truely if you want a thrill there MUST be something less girt, grim and with a storyline.

Moved quick thriller

An excellent read that's quick and we'll casted. Highly recommend this for commutes or trips.

One of the best period suspense/detective stories.

What made the experience of listening to The Alienist the most enjoyable?

Great period descriptions and characters.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Its a long story that builds but characters keep the story going.

What does Edward Herrmann bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Since he's been in many period movies his narration fits easily.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Great Cast of detectives drive a period horror and suspense story.

great narrator with fascinating story

can't wait to watch the TV series...hope they do the book justice. the mind of men is fascinating.

I need to listen to it again

I'm going to have to listen to it again.
I was too distracted and had a hard time following everything. I liked enough that I will relisten

Great listen. Unfortunately it is abridged.

I really enjoyed the book. I really wish that it was not abridged. The story was too condensed for me. I wanted to luxuriate in the prose.