Rating: 
Summary: AN ENTERTAINING, FINELY-WOVEN TALE
Review: CRIMINALS is my second experience with the fine writing of Margot Livesey -- her newest, EVA MOVES THE FURNITURE, drew me in. The threads of this story are delightfully convoluted -- the fact that one of the characters is a weaver may be an unintentional metaphor, but I suspect Ms. Livesey knew exactly what she was doing in assigning her that activity.There are many issues addressed by both the story and the people who populate it so vividly. Honesty, in many guises and forms, is chief among them -- honesty in work, in relationships with family and lovers, with ourselves, and, ultimately, with the law. Some of the characters learn from the events that transpire here -- some do not.
There are three main branches of plot in this novel -- and one of them is a book within the book... Ewan Munro, a respected banker, on his way to visit his sister Mollie in Scotland -- who is obviously distraught over her recent separation from her lover of several years -- finds a baby in a roadside mens' room, apparently abandoned. Through a series of good intentions and botched attempts to communicate his find, he winds up bringing it with him to his sister's home. In her pain and anguish, she latches onto the baby with all of her emotions, as a virtual lifeline to the world -- and it's a tether she is terrified to break. We also see the story develop from the perspective of Kenneth, a young n'er-do-well, looking out for no one but himself, caring not a whit for the feelings or well-being of his girlfriend -- or her child. When any emotions arise within him to cast doubt on the worth of his devious schemes, he douses them with alcohol and rationalization. Against this action is cast the novel-within-the-novel -- written by Mollie's departed lover. Within its pages, Ewan begins to see his sister's intimate secrets revealed -- and through it he discovers the reasons behind much of her mental trauma. As the story moves along, Livesey skillfully brings these threads together, allowing the reader to follow them comfortably through her shifts of perspective. There is well-managed suspense here, combined with some very human, credible characters -- she builds and reveals their personalities and traits gently but thoroughly. It makes for an engrossing, rewarding read.
Rating:
Summary: AN ENTERTAINING, FINELY-WOVEN TALE
Review: CRIMINALS is my second experience with the fine writing of Margot Livesey -- her newest, EVA MOVES THE FURNITURE, drew me in. The threads of this story are delightfully convoluted -- the fact that one of the characters is a weaver may be an unintentional metaphor, but I suspect Ms. Livesey knew exactly what she was doing in assigning her that activity. There are many issues addressed by both the story and the people who populate it so vividly. Honesty, in many guises and forms, is chief among them -- honesty in work, in relationships with family and lovers, with ourselves, and, ultimately, with the law. Some of the characters learn from the events that transpire here -- some do not.
There are three main branches of plot in this novel -- and one of them is a book within the book... Ewan Munro, a respected banker, on his way to visit his sister Mollie in Scotland -- who is obviously distraught over her recent separation from her lover of several years -- finds a baby in a roadside mens' room, apparently abandoned. Through a series of good intentions and botched attempts to communicate his find, he winds up bringing it with him to his sister's home. In her pain and anguish, she latches onto the baby with all of her emotions, as a virtual lifeline to the world -- and it's a tether she is terrified to break. We also see the story develop from the perspective of Kenneth, a young n'er-do-well, looking out for no one but himself, caring not a whit for the feelings or well-being of his girlfriend -- or her child. When any emotions arise within him to cast doubt on the worth of his devious schemes, he douses them with alcohol and rationalization. Against this action is cast the novel-within-the-novel -- written by Mollie's departed lover. Within its pages, Ewan begins to see his sister's intimate secrets revealed -- and through it he discovers the reasons behind much of her mental trauma. As the story moves along, Livesey skillfully brings these threads together, allowing the reader to follow them comfortably through her shifts of perspective. There is well-managed suspense here, combined with some very human, credible characters -- she builds and reveals their personalities and traits gently but thoroughly. It makes for an engrossing, rewarding read.
Rating: 
Summary: The problem with stupidity is that it is difficult to avoid
Review: For every person its life is construed by the addition of small details. The odd part its that we, somehow arbitrarily, decide which of those are important, and when that happens, necessary we miss the big picture. Consecuently our grasp on life. All the characters on this book have decided to make their life small and meaningless due to their lack of awareness. Even those who are cruel, their conduct is a result of their stupidity, more than out of inner evil. Forthe characters in this book the accidental arrival of a baby in their life creates such pressure that just overwhelms their already very thin capacity to repond to changes in their neurotic patterns. As expected the novel is construed upon the consequences of their emocional incompetence and their disastrous results, which at some points are funny. But more than that I agree with other reviewers that the author call upon us to medidate upon our petty obssesions and why, regardles of how important and significant we consider that they might be, the truth is that they are irrelevant and only refrain us from becoming happier persons.
Rating:
Summary: Insights about the human mind
Review: Livesey manages to make her readers question themselves; there is more than one ethical dilemma in this book. A baby is found, and taken care of by Ewan who has the best intentions. Only, his sister Mollie who is somewhat mentally imbalanced gets emotionally attached to the baby and manages through different logistical means to delay the report of the found baby to the police. Ewan has some problems of his own, too; he was a little bit careless about information that he revealed to somebody. There is a fine line between what you can and cannot do. Circumstances can arise that you had not (previously) thought of. Somehow, it is apparent, the margins must be on your side. Anybody can become a criminal. Anybody can also become a victim. The point is that it takes only so little of a false step to make your life altogether different from what it was. Human beings constantly interact, and it is impossible to foresee all implications of your actions. Livesey writes in a very interesting genre. This is a psychological thriller, but the focus is neither on the plot, nor on the solution. This is not a novel about being good or bad; it is a novel about understanding of the human mind. We are all human beings, and thus, we make mistakes. Sometimes we have to pay dearly for them. Sometimes somebody else has to pay dearly for them. This novel shows the need for understanding and forgiveness. Livesey writes in a way that is not condemning, more exploring. What would happen if situation X arised? I, as a reader, was very much intrigued by the result. She also uses traditional literary techniques such as writing pieces of another book within this novel. The result is well worth penetrating.
Rating:
Summary: How Easily Human Decency Can Slip Away
Review: Margot Livesey's "Criminals" is basically a tale of four or five interconnected lives, revolving around a series of accidents, miscommunications, intentional ignorance, and, in some cases, just flat out instances of human cruelty and greed. It is a mystery; it is not a mystery. Livesey belongs in a genre all her own, perhaps. Mollie is the occasionally unbalanced sister of Ewan, stuffed shirt banker and well-intentioned brother. Ewan finds a baby abandoned in the bathroom of a bus station on the way to Mollie's, and before he knows quite what he's doing, he's boarding the bus with the baby in his arms, without having notified any authorities. What is interesting is the events that follow, and the unraveling of the lives of the people who become affected by this baby. The novel counld have just as well been called "Greed" because it is basically this fault that lies at the core of each of these characters. Not necessarily all monetary greed, but also greed of the heart and (of course) greed of the loins. The suspense is a subtle one, that builds slowly from the beginning and ends up as one might have suspected. I found this to be the only fault, but perhaps it is not a fault at all, for while reading the novel, I felt as if I were a witness to a train wreck or some other human tragedy, peering through my fingers at what I suspect will inevitably turn out the way I'm afraid it will from the initial screeching of metal on metal. As in many things in life, it is not the outcome that is necessarily interesting, but the journey on the way to that outcome.
Rating:
Summary: How Easily Human Decency Can Slip Away
Review: Margot Livesey's "Criminals" is basically a tale of four or five interconnected lives, revolving around a series of accidents, miscommunications, intentional ignorance, and, in some cases, just flat out instances of human cruelty and greed. It is a mystery; it is not a mystery. Livesey belongs in a genre all her own, perhaps. Mollie is the occasionally unbalanced sister of Ewan, stuffed shirt banker and well-intentioned brother. Ewan finds a baby abandoned in the bathroom of a bus station on the way to Mollie's, and before he knows quite what he's doing, he's boarding the bus with the baby in his arms, without having notified any authorities. What is interesting is the events that follow, and the unraveling of the lives of the people who become affected by this baby. The novel counld have just as well been called "Greed" because it is basically this fault that lies at the core of each of these characters. Not necessarily all monetary greed, but also greed of the heart and (of course) greed of the loins. The suspense is a subtle one, that builds slowly from the beginning and ends up as one might have suspected. I found this to be the only fault, but perhaps it is not a fault at all, for while reading the novel, I felt as if I were a witness to a train wreck or some other human tragedy, peering through my fingers at what I suspect will inevitably turn out the way I'm afraid it will from the initial screeching of metal on metal. As in many things in life, it is not the outcome that is necessarily interesting, but the journey on the way to that outcome.
Rating:
Summary: A pleasant surprise
Review: Someone at work was throwing this book away. I had never heard of it before, but as I am an avid reader and can't stand to see a book thrown out, I took it. Once I began reading it, I just couldn't put it down. Very entertaining and complex. Everyone I have recommended it to has enjoyed it thoroughly as well. Give it a try!
Rating:
Summary: Great Read - Literary Psycho-thriller
Review: This book is intricately plotted and suspenseful. It is also superbly well-written. I found myself moved to the next chapter despite work or family intrusions and wanting to get back as soon as I could until I finished the novel. Loved it and await Missing World. I'm thrilled they'll be a new one out soon to quench my appetite.
Rating:
Summary: A thin line between good and evil
Review: This incredible book awed me. I still haven't been able to get it out
of my mind. Having read The Missing World, I wanted to get my hands on
another Margot Livesey book. Her beautiful language is filled with
dark humor and disturbing scenes. Criminals is about selfishness and
what it takes to do the right thing. On his way to visit his
emotionally imbalanced sister, Ewan finds a baby in a bathroom at a
bus station. Frantic, he takes the baby with him. He figures that once
he's settled at his sister's house he'd be able to report the missing
baby. Little does he know that it is all part of a man's scheme to
make a profit. To make matters worse, his sister becomes emotionally
and psychologically attached to the infant. There are many disturbing
and engrossing moments in the novel, especially its disarming and
surprising conclusion. This is one of the most memorable psychological
thrillers I have ever read. There's a thin line between good and evil
and moral and criminal behavior in the story. Are you searching for a
suspenseful and literary thriller? Look no further. Criminals is a
book that will keep you turning the pages in the wee hours of the
night.
Rating:
Summary: A thin line between good and evil
Review: This incredible book awed me. I still haven't been able to get it outof my mind. Having read The Missing World, I wanted to get my hands onanother Margot Livesey book. Her beautiful language is filled withdark humor and disturbing scenes. Criminals is about selfishness andwhat it takes to do the right thing. On his way to visit hisemotionally imbalanced sister, Ewan finds a baby in a bathroom at abus station. Frantic, he takes the baby with him. He figures that oncehe's settled at his sister's house he'd be able to report the missingbaby. Little does he know that it is all part of a man's scheme tomake a profit. To make matters worse, his sister becomes emotionallyand psychologically attached to the infant. There are many disturbingand engrossing moments in the novel, especially its disarming andsurprising conclusion. This is one of the most memorable psychologicalthrillers I have ever read. There's a thin line between good and eviland moral and criminal behavior in the story. Are you searching for asuspenseful and literary thriller? Look no further. Criminals is abook that will keep you turning the pages in the wee hours of thenight.
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