Rating: 
Summary: If you like Silence of the Lambs, you'll love this
Review: The Alienist is an incredibly well-crafted and detailed story - a perfect blend of both psychological horror and suspense.The story is told from the point of view of John Moore, a New York journalist in turn of the certury New York City. Moore is initially brought in by an associate of his, Laszlo Kreizler, to provide some background information on a recent grisly murder of a child prostitute. As the plot unfolds, Moore's knowledge of the seedier side of New York City, plus Kreizler's controversial theories about human behavior and learned behavior lead them on a chase for a new type of creature - New York's first serial killer. Carr's writing style may be a little stilted for some, but remind yourself that's it's told in first person, and at the turn of the century. Keeping that in mind, Carr's writing is refreshingly cultured and even ornate, according to the period. In this era of "taut, lean, prose," it's nice to read an author who can craft a sentence with one or two commas in it. The plot moves forward with each turn of a page - and turn you will. As the events get progressively more gruesome, you will find yourself anxiously anticipating each new chapter. Also, Carr's use of historical detail really serves to set the stage; further highlighting the shocking nature of the crimes described, rather than simply being backdrop. You are exposed to both sides of period New York, with all its gilded edges, bruises, and warts. I definitely recommend this book, particularly as an alternative to Thomas Harris' abysmal "Hannibal." It's a quick read, and thoroughly enjoyable. Check out Caleb Carr's other book, "Angel of Darkness," also.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting, but often pretentious and annoying
Review: It's certainly a good premise, but Carr has his characters speechify so much of their dialogue that all the characters often blend into one expository voice, rendering them shallow and unsympathetic. And using actual historical characters gets extremely irritating, especially Carr's dialogue for Teddy Roosevelt ("By thunder!"). Carr seems bent on getting every prominent figure from that era into the story in some way, namedropping them as if the narrator is some 19th century gossip columnist. Also, given how long it takes to get to the end, the finale is a bit of a dud, with no real major realizations, and no palpable fear in the air. You're pretty much like, "That's it?" Still, I read the thing through because the psychological detail and other historical detail was at times very interesting. It's also a very linear story, so it's easy to follow and the language flows well. It's a good way to pass the time, but otherwise you're better off reading In Cold Blood.
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Summary: Can things get more chilling than this?
Review: Just when I thought I had read some of the worst descriptions of man's brutality to man, along comes a friend asking if I had read The Alienist. Well, I have to say, Caleb Carr really packs a punch. You feel like you are right there retching with the journalist narrator over the god-awful discovery of a madman's victim. And it is quite eerie to imagine those gaslit times in old New York with debauchery lurking, eager to corrupt. The secret detective team led by a psychiatrist/alienist is a curious set of allies, employed by Teddy Roosevelt no less. Their progress against a calendar of impending murders is nearly a mission impossible. With them, the reader just has to pursue an end... story feels rather like a nightmare... No doubt about it, Caleb Carr is a wordsmith who recreates this horror from an era thought to be golden.
Rating: 
Summary: Couldn't put it down...disappointing ending, though
Review: I just finished this novel, and let me tell you that on the whole, this is an immensely satisfying read. I've read several period pieces that get way too bogged down in describing the scenery and way too little time telling the story. Carr does a masterful job in describing just enough so that you get the mental picture, but not too much so that you want to start skipping paragraphs to get to the meat of the story. On to the story itself: Set in 1896 New York City, it is discovered that a serial killer is on the loose, preying on male child prostitutes. Police of that day didn't pursue cases like this due to the profession of the victims. But newly appointed reformist police commissioner Teddy Roosevelt, having personally seen one of the crime scenes, demands the case be solved. But because of political in-fighting among the new regime and old at police headquarters, he secretly appoints a task force to solve the murders. The task force includes 2 old Harvard buddies, an Alienist named Laszlo Kreizler and a crime reporter named John Schuyler Moore, Roosevelt's secretary Sara Howard, and Detective Sargent's Marcus and Lucious Isaacson. The investigation that ensues once the team is assembled is the heart of this book. It's a first rate mystery thriller made only better by the era in which it takes place. Spicing up the book are secondary characters Stevie, Cyrus, and Mary. Several actual people make appearances as well, not the least of which is notorious serial killer Jesse Pomeroy, who was sentenced to life in solitary when he was 14 years old. The end was a little weak for my taste, but overall I recommend this book to any and all.
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Summary: Twice read, with the realization I'm jaded.
Review: I read this book when it first came out, and found it interesting, but confusing...who was that person again? Where were they going? Why is this important? I did like the premise of the story, but just couldn't remember what was going on. Now five years later after rereading The Alienist I find it much easier going. This second time around I found the charachters less confusing, the plot a bit better to follow and, although I couldn't remember who did it, I was not left wondering what had happend. I did find that I was not at all distressed by the blood and gore discriptions in the novel. When diffrent individuals in the book were shocked at a scene I felt nothing. This is a bit disturbing, am I at 23 so jaded? Are we as 20th Century citizens over the horror of murder. I think mabey so, and yet neither I nor my husband or parents can really muster up concern over it. It just seems facinating that people were so horrified by murder when you could walk around the corner and pick up a bottle of Laudnum and a child prostitute.
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Summary: The Alienist....Is it GOOD or NoT?
Review: This book is one of a kind, however, it relates to books by Thomas Harris. I like how the Alienist means the psychiatrist. The setting is very interesting.
Rating:
Summary: Superbly Written
Review: The most superbly written novel I have ever read. Carr's use of the English language was unsurpassed. I have been quietly hoping Carr will put out another fiction novel.
Rating:
Summary: enticing and entertaining
Review: If you are a reader who likes a lot of description in books, then this book is for you. With page after page of in-depth detail, you are brought in among a web of terror and truth. To see the culture of the time is just astounding. Also, being a psychological thriller, it has all the necessary components. For one thing, it makes you think. This book has an extrodinary force behind it, and also a very intelligent point. You get the mind-numbing suspence, but you also get the chance to dive deep into the subconscious. Beware when you read this because you won't want to put it down.
Rating:
Summary: Very Good Read But Not A Knockout
Review: There were a number of things I really liked about this book. I love this setting, 1890s New York. The author is a historian and he recreates it beautifully. You are there! I also love books which have psychiatrists or psychologists as pivotal characters. An alienist is what that person was called back then and it is fascinating to learn about him in this early incarnation. Lastly, the novel has some very good characters, including Teddy Roosevelt, set against this backdrop. They have to find a serial killer who is responsible for numerous murders in the city. The reason this isn't a book I love though is that there are no characters in here that resonate with me. I absolutely adored Sherlock Holmes, a 5 star event all the way, but it was as much for loving him as a character as loving the mysteries he solved. I loved no character in here the way I loved Holmes. And then there's the acid test: I bought none of the books which followed this one although I had bought this in hardback. I love that period style photograph used on the cover and it was a big selling point for me; artists are always in danger of falling for the art on a book.
Rating:
Summary: Timeless Shock Factors
Review: Ordinarily I don't like authors who put shocking scenes/ideas/events/images into their books merely to raise gooseflesh on the reader's mental arm. However, when his reasons for doing so are as justifiable as Caleb Carr's, it's time to forgive. A lot of people these days have the notion that morals and ethics are going downhill, that criminals are becoming more and more depraved, that violence is escalating. As any quick read in the 'Book of Judges' in the Bible will convince you, it just ain't so. Carr works hard to provide the same reminder, if a bit more entertainingly. The parallels with 'Silence of the Lambs' are subtle, but nervewrackingly effective. The final chase/confrontation with the villain couldn't be any more harrowing if the book were set in a modern-day ghetto or industrial area complete with automatic weapons and tear gas. For a similar investigation into 'The Bad Old Days of Yore,' without *quite* as much gore, but with even more social insight, try 'Quincunx,' by Charles Palliser. Personally, I find it a lot more fun.
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