serial killers - fiction

[Durgamol]

i was wondering which fiction novels about serial killers did you read... to be honest i am writing my MA paper and i am trying to prove that we can consider SK to be "pop-culture heroes"

So the question is: which fiction books about serial killers did you read and how did you like it? Thanks for help :D

[bazarov]

Hannibal by Thomas Harris, I was really disappointed ( but not much surprised) when I saw ending; totally different!
Well, I liked him actually, very often you get the idea he is the victim, and not the killer.

[THX-1138]

well i recently read the perfume(the story of a murderer) by Partrick Suskind
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Z0YHWKV9L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg

[kathycf]

Could you explain more about the term "pop culture hero"? How are you defining "hero" in this context?

For books about serial killers, I have read Red Dragon, Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal, all by Thomas Harris. They were pretty good, although quite disturbing. I started reading American Psycho by Brett Easton Ellis, but got fed up with it after about 30 pages. It was just...bad.

I tend to like mystery/suspense stories. Many of the "Kay Scarpetta" series written by Patricia Cornwell feature serial killers and are quite interesting. Scarpetta is the fictional medical examiner for the state of Virginia, in addition to possessing a law degree. She gets into medical details, and the books are well researched.

Helter Skelter is a non fiction account of Charles Manson and his associates. I read it many years ago, so cannot recall specifics. Although it is a non fiction book, Manson could arguably fit the definition of pop culture hero. At any rate, in the US he is a pop culture figure.

[Durgamol]

Could you explain more about the term "pop culture hero"? How are you defining "hero" in this context?

understandin of heroism is relative. For some particular act may be an act of heroism, for the others a serious crime or terroristic atack. One nation’s hero may be a scoundrel to another. One of the most popular examples of it is Robin Hood – considered to be an outlaw and thief by English government and a liberator by peasants.
But as You can guess i don't mean that SK are this kind of heroes. what I have in mind is “the meaning of human: social and historical as material for fiction” , kind of “principal male character in story, play, film,etc.” . Portrayals of crime in drama and fiction can be traced back to ancient times. And criminals achieving fame is not a new phenomenon - just with the invention of modern mass media their figures captured our attention. The frequency of their appearance even increased. The first modern era criminal hero who appeared in media (by then newspapers) is Jack the Ripper.
The important period for constructing the figure of criminal hero was the Romanticism: time when outlaws were shown as people struggling for freedom, victims of political intrigue, people fighting against constraints.

In summery that is whay i mean by hero. ;)

[Durgamol]

Thank You all for answers. If You will have anything to add or if You would like to comment on the subject - i will be glad to read it :)

[Scheherazade]

American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis

[kathycf]

what I have in mind is “the meaning of human: social and historical as material for fiction” , kind of “principal male character in story, play, film,etc.” . Portrayals of crime in drama and fiction can be traced back to ancient times. And criminals achieving fame is not a new phenomenon - just with the invention of modern mass media their figures captured our attention. The frequency of their appearance even increased. The first modern era criminal hero who appeared in media (by then newspapers) is Jack the Ripper.
Ok, that is basically what I thought you meant. I understand that heroism can be considered relative, and thanks for giving more details. Your paper seems like it will be interesting, good luck with it.

[bazarov]

American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis

I stopped on page 50 and I hope I will never see it again.

[kathycf]

I stopped on page 50 and I hope I will never see it again.
You got further than I did. That book was just....so not my cup of tea.

[Stieg]

I don't read much about serial killers in fiction but possess true crime novels of said subject including most of Harold Schecter's series. The former too often they are boring overly graphic police precedurals or Hannibal Lector rip-offs.

[bazarov]

You got further than I did. That book was just....so not my cup of tea.
He was shaving on 6 pages...

[Durgamol]

Hannibal by Thomas Harris, I was really disappointed ( but not much surprised) when I saw ending; totally different!
Well, I liked him actually, very often you get the idea he is the victim, and not the killer.

Isn't it surprising how much the reader finds him/herself liking Hannibal? We know what he did. We know he is cruel. And still we admire his intelligence. I started liking him even more after reading "Hannibal Rising":thumbs_up

[Stieg]

Lou Fords in The Killer Inside Me is a fascinating character. Because he is one of the deceptive manipulative types, first he is a deputy sheriff of a small Texas town, secondly he is a genius yet plays himself down as a humble backcountry bumpkin the darlingly of his town. But is really a walking time bomb that brutalizes prisoners and begins a murder spree with his own bent philosophy on life and twisted reasoning for his murderous actions make him charismatic and sympathetic in some regards. Explosive climax written in the first person noir-style by the legendary noir author Jim Thompson. Fords is 100Xs more real than Hannibal Lector. One of my favorite novels of all time.

Other pieces of literature I've read haven't given the serial killers a glamourous characteristic, you might want to also try Night of the Hunter by Davis Grubb too featuring preacher Harry Powell. Great novel.

One series of books I have been meaning to read is Patricia Highsmith's Ripliad or Talented Ripley series. Can't comment yet because I haven't read them but been meaning to.

[Adras]

These two books are amazing in the sense that both of the main characters are in the beginning victimized by serial killers and thu end up themselves serial killers without wanting to be. The first is Velociy - Dean Koontz the secod is The Serial Killer Club - forgive me I can't find the book and I can't remember the other but it is an exceptional book. Another book that gives you insight is....the nae is somethng along the lines of Serial Killers: In the Mind of a Murderer or somethign like that. Sorry about the typing too impatient to go back and fix it. Also, check out the book The Book of Assassins: A Biographical Dictionary From Ancient Times To The Present - George Featherling

[malwethien]

American Psycho - Bret Easton Ellis.....Although this book is really violent (in more ways than one) I also found it very funny.....(yes, you read it right...I did say funny...hilarious even)....

[Durgamol]

Lou Fords in The Killer Inside Me is a fascinating character. Because he is one of the deceptive manipulative types, first he is a deputy sheriff of a small Texas town, secondly he is a genius yet plays himself down as a humble backcountry bumpkin the darlingly of his town. But is really a walking time bomb that brutalizes prisoners and begins a murder spree with his own bent philosophy on life and twisted reasoning for his murderous actions make him charismatic and sympathetic in some regards. Explosive climax written in the first person noir-style by the legendary noir author Jim Thompson. Fords is 100Xs more real than Hannibal Lector. One of my favorite novels of all time.

:idea: What you described is the stereotype of a SK: manipulative genius,person in uniform, charismatic but yet - killing.

Thanks for the titles :)

[Durgamol]

These two books are amazing in the sense that both of the main characters are in the beginning victimized by serial killers and thu end up themselves serial killers without wanting to be. The first is Velociy - Dean Koontz the secod is The Serial Killer Club - forgive me I can't find the book and I can't remember the other but it is an exceptional book. Another book that gives you insight is....the nae is somethng along the lines of Serial Killers: In the Mind of a Murderer or somethign like that. Sorry about the typing too impatient to go back and fix it. Also, check out the book The Book of Assassins: A Biographical Dictionary From Ancient Times To The Present - George Featherling

The first two books you mentioned are completely new for me - probably it was never printed here, where i live. I will have to look for them :)

[Durgamol]

American Psycho - Bret Easton Ellis.....Although this book is really violent (in more ways than one) I also found it very funny.....(yes, you read it right...I did say funny...hilarious even)....

And what are You thinking about the movie based in the book? Was it accurate? You are the first person who told me that finds this book funny :p :D But i love this kind of view;)

[kilted exile]

And what are You thinking about the movie based in the book? Was it accurate? You are the first person who told me that finds this book funny :p :D But i love this kind of view;)

The film is reasonably true to the book, some of the more gruesome parts were not put in the film. It was incredibly funnny, however I'm not sure if it can really be counted as a serial killer book 'cos I dont think he actually kills anybody (all in his head)

[Durgamol]

I'm not sure if it can really be counted as a serial killer book 'cos I dont think he actually kills anybody (all in his head)

But somehow the serial killer appears: even if it exists only in his imagination and sometimes just an imagination influences us more than real characters :)

[EAP]

Hawksmoor by Peter Acroyd is a bone-chilling description of a serial-killer gaining his inspiration from a historical precedent.

[Adras]

Originally Posted by Adras
These two books are amazing in the sense that both of the main characters are in the beginning victimized by serial killers and thu end up themselves serial killers without wanting to be. The first is Velociy - Dean Koontz the secod is The Serial Killer Club - forgive me I can't find the book and I can't remember the other but it is an exceptional book. Another book that gives you insight is....the nae is somethng along the lines of Serial Killers: In the Mind of a Murderer or somethign like that. Sorry about the typing too impatient to go back and fix it. Also, check out the book The Book of Assassins: A Biographical Dictionary From Ancient Times To The Present - George Featherling

The first two books you mentioned are completely new for me - probably it was never printed here, where i live. I will have to look for them :)

Excuse my spelling the first book is Velocity not Velociy....sorry about that. They are both on the barnes&noble website or amazon.

[Stieg]

:idea: What you described is the stereotype of a SK: manipulative genius,person in uniform, charismatic but yet - killing.

Thanks for the titles :)

This novel was written during the 50s and because it is written in the SK's POV, gives a chilling and sometimes sadistically humorous look into a complex yet imbalanced mind. Very psychological.

Hollywood trying to cash-in on a resurgant interest in Jim Thompson's novels during the late 80s/early 90s lamely adapted The Grifters, After Dark, My Sweet, etc.

Other novels written by him were also adapted such as The Getaway directed by Sam Peckinpah. He himself is credited with writing screenplays for Kubrick in the films Paths of Glory and The Killing, some of that director's best work ever.

Anyways, sorry for the info dump. ;)

[Adras]

Did you ever mention the name of the book?

[malwethien]

The film is reasonably true to the book, some of the more gruesome parts were not put in the film. It was incredibly funnny, however I'm not sure if it can really be counted as a serial killer book 'cos I dont think he actually kills anybody (all in his head)

Yes, I think so too....I think it is all in his head....


And what are You thinking about the movie based in the book? Was it accurate? You are the first person who told me that finds this book funny :p :D But i love this kind of view;)

I never saw the movie...I can't find it anywhere. Try reading it (or read it again if you already read it)...there are lots of very funny parts..and just the book in general is funny...in a sick sarcastic way I guess...but funny nontheless ;)

[Durgamol]

I never saw the movie...I can't find it anywhere. Try reading it (or read it again if you already read it)...there are lots of very funny parts..and just the book in general is funny...in a sick sarcastic way I guess...but funny nontheless ;)

Here you have some info about the movie:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0144084/

and here You can buy it :) :
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/002-9206294-3964827?url=search-alias%3Ddvd&field-keywords=american+psycho

[malwethien]

Here you have some info about the movie:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0144084/

and here You can buy it :) :
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/002-9206294-3964827?url=search-alias%3Ddvd&field-keywords=american+psycho

Thanks Durgamol ;)