Rating: 
Summary: A book to be read over and over again
Review: This is still my favorite book (7 years after the first time I picked it up). A psycholgical thriller that neither assumes you're familiar with turn of the century psychology (i.e. the boring part of high school psyche. class) nor over simplifies it to the point of insulting. Caleb Carr walks the reader in first person through the story, and educates you on a basic (not boring) level along the way. Finally, a smart book that treats you like an equal. If you have ever had an interest in psychology and it's application in criminal profiling, and you like period pieces (1896 New York); this book is a great read. I gave the paperback to a friend as a gift years ago for a long train ride, and he sent a thank you note back: not just for the book, but for how excited he was to pick up the sequel, Angel Of Darkness.
Rating:
Summary: one of the best fiction books I have ever read
Review: I lose interest in most works of fiction very quickly. I can't tell you how many times I've started a novel only to lose interest around page 100 or so due to boredom. I have actually finished very few fiction books in my lifetime although I keep trying. However, I devoured "The Alienist" by Caleb Carr. I consider it absolutely one of the best books I have ever read, but then again I also have a very keen interest in 19th century NYC. I tried reading his next book, "Angel of Darkness," but as is par for the course for me, I couldn't get past page 100 or so!
Rating: 
Summary: It is OK...
Review: Altogether I would call this an OK book. It is not fantastic, but it is not horrible either. The book was very slow and boring during the first 200 pages or so. And, in many ways, it was almost a chore for me to read it because I was so determined to get to an interesting part. Since the book was written first-person, you did not really get to know the characters very well. The book fails to take you away because it is so weighed down by historical. And though I LOVE historical fiction, the historical aspects of this book failed to flow with the plot. Probably the only part of the book that I would consider remarkable was the plot. Carr did an amazing job in the murderer's life and how technology, when it came to solving a crime, was still evolving. Only recommended if you have a LOT of patience and time on your hands.
Rating: 
Summary: Slow at first, but over all, very good
Review: I read this book last week, and I must say, it is probably the best book I have read in years, and the best book ever in this genre. Carr is an excellent historian, which makes the story very believable, however I would recommend either a large vocabulary or having a dictionary at all times. The only unappealing element is the fact that it is very slow at first... actually almost the first half of the book is slow, but it does establish a great background; other than that, an excellent read.
Rating:
Summary: Well Done
Review: I don't know enough about the period that The Alienist is set in to know whether or not Carr's picture of New York at the time is accurate or not, but the important thing is that he makes the reader believe that it is. This book was very well written and it really makes the reader feel like a part of the story.A friend recommended this to me or I never would have read it. This book is definitely worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: The most incredible book I ever read!
Review: You can't put this down. I work right in the neighborhood where "Number 808" would have been. That made it doubly fascinating! You have to read this, it is so incredibly well written!
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Summary: CSI New York: 1896
Review: "The Alienist" could be the basis for the next CSI TV spinoff, "CSI New York: 1896." Caleb Carr gets great traction by turning back the clock. The historical setting and depth of research frames the novel; but it is the story that propels it. This is an intellectual pursuit, much like the CSI shows on TV as Lazlo Kreizler helps focus on the criminal by looking at what is known and projecting & testing new suppositions.
I found the myriad of issues that flavor the novel to be of equal importance. Themes of economics are explored such as the Santorellis living a very poor slum life in New York. Themes of rascism are explored as the attitudes of Rev. Victor Dury toward the American Indians and attitudes of New Yorkers toward blacks such as Cyrus, Kreizler's assistant. Themes of attitudes toward homosexuals are certainly detailed as the murders center around male prostitutes. Themes of sexism and gender roles are explored such as Sara Howard's wanting to be a police detective, but having to settle for being a secretary at the department. Themes of police abuse of power are explored such as the villain Connor who kidnaps or assassinates. Themes of economic power and clout were explored such as the forced meeting with J.P. Morgan. Themes of equal justice are explored as concern for even the least of society is demonstrated. All of these serve to give the novel an exquisite depth beyond just a thriller. I found the characterizations to be pretty good. I wasn't sure I really got to know John Moore, despite the story being told through his eyes. I kept expecting some romantic attachment would develop with Sara. I enjoyed the real life person of Theodore Roosevelt and his family being a character. I was particularly impressed how Carr is able to flesh out a pivotal but still relatively minor character like Adam Dury and make us not only know the history, but be touched by his life. Carr brings this full circle by having Kreizler give consideration to the impact of the way the plot resolves on this minor character's life. We all approach novels with expectations. I searched for & read this book because of a favorite Amazon reviewer. I was open to the material, hoping only for a good novel. Carr has delivered this, which is why this book continues to draw attention. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: murder, suspense, and psychology OH MY!
Review: This book was excellent. It sounds cliche to say that it was a page turner, but it definitely was that. I read the book in about three sittings. If the book had been slightly shorter, I can say that it would have only been one. This book has enough violence and gore to please any lover of brutality (it can get fairly graphic), but enough psychology for the intellects that might read this book. You truely feel like you are in 19th century New York. You get attached to the characters, and loath the people that instruct their investigation. A must read.
Rating: 
Summary: The Alienist has no clothes
Review: Do yourself a favor and read Mark Helprin's masterpiece Winter's Tale instead. I thought I was crazy when, 150+ pages into the novel, I still was waiting for it to begin. Then I read all the negative reviews here on Amazon and realized that, while I may be in the minority, I'm not alone. Mr. Carr has certainly done a multitude of detailed historical research - but his book fails as an engrossing work of fiction because it dryly parrots this research back at the reader with no discrimination, lending the novel a kitchen-sink textbook table-of-contents style. The cast of stock characters, unbelievable and wafer-thin, function solely as cyphers to Mr. Carr's meticulous and detailed research. The "mystery," such as it is, is fitfully told and secondary. Cut all the witless and style-less "research," and there's no "there" there. This novel has no soul, and no merit as a work of detective, historical, or even "beach-book" fiction. How The Alienist wowed critics and fans alike is the true mystery at this novel's center.
Rating:
Summary: Exceptional Novel
Review: The Alienist provides a tantalizing idea: an American Jack the Ripper. This one is set in the New York of the 1890's, and preys on young male prostitutes. Instead of Inspector Abberline, alienist Laszlo Kreizler, and New York Times reporter John Moore pursue him. This makes for a great novel, full of horrifying crime scenes, political intrigue, and enough plot twists to satisfy any Holmes, Dupin, or Poirot. It is also packed with details that do nothing to take away from the action. In fact, they recreate old New York before the reader's very eyes. And, on top of the vividly drawn fictional characters, you get Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt, reporters Jacob Riis and Lincoln Steffens, and banking tycoon J.P. Morgan. This is the ideal book for anytime, particularly on a visit to the Big Apple.
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