Krumnagel

by Peter Ustinov

Of all the big men in the small Midwest town, Chief of Police Bartram T. Krumnagel was the biggest. A physical giant with an unbeatable talent for wrongful arrest, he kept the streets safe by shooting on sight. But how would such a stout defender of American liberty fare on foreign soil?

Genres: Fiction, Humor, Novels

277 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Sir Peter Alexander Ustinov, CBE, was a English actor, writer and dramatist.

He was also renowned as a filmmaker, theatre and opera director, director, stage designer, screenwriter, comedian, humorist, newspaper and magazine columnist, radio broadcaster and television presenter.

A noted wit and raconteur, he was, for much of his career, a fixture on television talk shows and lecture circuits, as well as a respected intellectual and diplomat who, in addition to his various academic posts, served as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF and President of the World Federalist Movement.

Ustinov was the winner of numerous awards over his life, including Academy Awards, Emmy Awards, Golden Globes and BAFTA Awards, as well the recipient of governmental honours from, amongst others, the United Kingdom, France and Germany. He displayed a unique cultural versatility that has frequently earned him the accolade of a Renaissance Man.

Reviews

[Kaltmamsell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ustinovs Kommödie von 1971 ist schlecht gealtert, die Komik bewegt sich weitgehend auf dem stereotypen, rassistischen und sexistischen Niveau einer Benny-Hill-Show, ein wenig aufgewertet durch das hohe Sprachniveau. Und selbst für die Erscheinungszeit leidet die Geschichte des Polizeichefs einer großen US-amerikanischen Provinzstadt, der mit einem Gratisticket, Geschenk für langjährige Verdienste, nach Europa reist, unter der Weitschweifigkeit, mit der Ustinov jede Szene, vor allem jeden Dialog und jede Rede ausformuliert, unter der Vielzahl überflüssigen Personals, das gerne detailliert beschrieben wird, ohne je nochmal aufzutauchen. Krumnagel erschießt durch ein Missverständnis einen Saufkumpanen in einem englischen Pub (und weil er in einer Szene, die in den Fernehzeitschriften meiner Kindheit "turbulent" genannt wurde, am Flughafen seine Waffe nicht abgeben musste). In der Folge lässt Ustinov Kulturen und Rechtssysteme aufeinanderprallen, macht sich über Schwule lustig sowie über modernen Strafvollzug, bis Krumnagel in einer psychodelischen Schlussszene völlig durchdreht.

[Herb Hastings · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend of mine, whose father recently passed away, kindly offered me the chance to go through his books. Among many treasures, I found this gem. I knew that Peter Ustinov had written some novels but I was unaware of this one.

Published in 1971 Krumnagel is a satiric story of an American police chief who runs afoul of the British legal system after shooting an unarmed pub patron to death. He mistakes his reaching for a handkerchief to be a grab for a hidden gun. The oafish American cannot conceive of a county where people are not going about carrying firearms.

Krumnagel has his sympathizers, members of the legal profession who worry that there is no way the British can provide true justice for a man from a country where shooting people is such a common practice. They begin to plot against his conviction which results in unforeseen consequences.

Ustinov writes with a pen dipped in acid and the result is not flattering to the US or Britain. Given that this book was written in the time of the Viet Nam war, hippies, the hard hat movement and massive social change, it can seem more than a little dated. At the same time some of the critiques also feel very current. All in all this is a trip down memory lane worth taking.

[Aerinsword · Rating 4 out of 5]

Krumnagel reminds me of someone I know. I enjoyed Ustinov's clash of the stereotypical American "fuzz" (policeman with gun)in England versus just about everyone else he met. I could still detect British influence in Krumnagel's American vernacular. I think it pains Ustinov too much to write the way we actually talk.

[Emi Kottasz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story from the 1970s that could take place today. Political, fun, exciting with constant surprises. I love the style of writing bringing all the characters to life, feeling every shiver or emotion they feel. Krumnager you love or hate doesn’t matter, you end up rooting for him. The subplot of the British conscience is a subtle laugh at British society. This book was an unexpected adventure through the City, an English pub and prisons, the high seas and American politics. Highly recommend it!

[Susanne Beyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eigentlich mag ich Peter Ustinov, aber diese Geschichte fand ich sehr sperrig.

[Gary Chorpenning · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging read.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't regret reading it, but I can't say it made my life better or fuller in any way

[Aletha Tavares · Rating 5 out of 5]

ustinov as usual brilliantly & ruthlessly gets at the american society and its law & order. It is described as "the novel that does to law & order what Catch-22 did to war"(harpers)
The satire is excellently executed through the character krumangel

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good droll comedy. The main character is an American police chief visiting England who is a version of J W Pepper or Buford T. Justice, only he's a little more introspective.

[Nigel Street · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fabulous prose saved a very weak story-line - not to be commended unless, like me, you're a big Ustinov fan.