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The Long Firm Trilogy #1
L'irresistibile ascesa di Harry Starks
"What's breaking into a bank compared with founding one?" Bertolt Brecht's provocative question opens Jake Arnott's first novel The Long Firm and sets the scene for its memorable exploration of the London underworld at the beginning of the 1960s. Five very different characters tell their five very different stories about "Torture Gang Boss" Harry Starks. A man who "liked to break people" but also a "frightened little child" is how his lover and kept boy Terry recalls him; a "lower-class tearaway", according to the Tory lord who frequents his erotic parties; a depressive with a diabolical mind, one who likes to "stage manage the fear", in the eyes of his various criminal and starlet peers; a product of working-class subculture and a living critique of capitalism, concludes the radical young sociologist who teaches him in prison. Harry Starks is the beginning and end of The Long Firm, a compelling showman who embodies the brutal realism and impossible dreams at the heart of Arnott's vision of London low life. The glamour and corruption of that life drive this story but Arnott manages to weave cliche into enigma, myth into inquiry, in a way that revitalises the well-worn images of the mad and the bad. As Starks would put it, keeping Brecht's question before the readers' eyes, "It's all about the economy of power, Lenny". --Vicky Lebeau
376 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
37 people are currently reading
1023 people want to read
About the author
Jake Arnott
17 books119 followersJake Arnott is a British novelist, author of The Long Firm and four other novels. In 2005 Arnott was ranked one of Britain's 100 most influential gay and lesbian people. When he was included in a list of the fifty most influential gay men in Britain in 2001, it was declared that he was widely regarded as one of Britain's most promising novelists.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
September 20, 2013
A peppy, stylish tour of the London underworld of the 60’s and 70’s, punctuated by sudden bursts of gruesome violence. This is the story of Harry Starks, an East End gangster, a charismatic, feared, and fearless man as told by five very different characters who encounter Harry at different stages of his career. Harry is an interesting man. He’s a brutal thug, but charming and protective. He’s perceptive, a natural born genius at psychology, but he employs these gifts to terrorise his victims. And he’s openly gay, though the time period and his chosen profession are virulently homophobic. As Harry explains so succinctly; “I ain’t ashamed of it,” a platitude that seems to extend well beyond his sexual preference.
It’s well paced and easy to read. Hints of James Ellroy, but not quite as grim and depraved. The five different characters’ stories are used well to not only tell the story of Harry Starks, but to also tell stories Harry isn’t aware of, like a second secret history behind this secret history of Swinging London, a world of dirty little secrets and discrete back alley business.
Though he is the main character, Harry always remains always at arm’s length, viewed through the eyes of other characters, and I think that’s a smart choice. He retains a sense of mystery throughout, allowing Arnott to constantly surprise the reader with a new facet of Harry’s personality. It also removes any of the excuses and self justifications Harry might have for some of his more despicable acts - though I suspect Harry himself would offer none. “I ain’t ashamed of it.”
It’s well paced and easy to read. Hints of James Ellroy, but not quite as grim and depraved. The five different characters’ stories are used well to not only tell the story of Harry Starks, but to also tell stories Harry isn’t aware of, like a second secret history behind this secret history of Swinging London, a world of dirty little secrets and discrete back alley business.
Though he is the main character, Harry always remains always at arm’s length, viewed through the eyes of other characters, and I think that’s a smart choice. He retains a sense of mystery throughout, allowing Arnott to constantly surprise the reader with a new facet of Harry’s personality. It also removes any of the excuses and self justifications Harry might have for some of his more despicable acts - though I suspect Harry himself would offer none. “I ain’t ashamed of it.”
February 20, 2018
I’m writing a lot about London in the 1960s at the moment, and so to read both London and 1960s set THE LONG FIRM was an absolute treat. A treat which made me turn puce with envious thoughts, but a treat nonetheless. This is really a superb example of how to conjure up a period. Just through little details, catching the era and the idiom and taking the reader on a trip back in time as if we’ve been given our very own Tardis.
We have here the story of Harry Starks, London crime boss and contemporary of The Krays. It’s a gangster piece, it has all the trappings of a dirty under the fingernails crime novel, but it’s also – and probably above all else – a character study. And what a character! Charming, intense and ruthless, Arnott gives us an incredibly vivid and charismatic protagonist.
The decision to split it up into six sections, each narrated by a different person in contact with Starks, could have rebounded – giving more of a distancing effect than something which grabs the reader. But instead we get a novel with depth and heft. One that grips and repulses and tantalises all at the same time.
I’ve been meaning to read THE LONG FIRM since it came out, which I now see was nearly an incredible two decades ago. I don’t know what I’ve been doing these last 20 years, but clearly I’ve been missing out.
We have here the story of Harry Starks, London crime boss and contemporary of The Krays. It’s a gangster piece, it has all the trappings of a dirty under the fingernails crime novel, but it’s also – and probably above all else – a character study. And what a character! Charming, intense and ruthless, Arnott gives us an incredibly vivid and charismatic protagonist.
The decision to split it up into six sections, each narrated by a different person in contact with Starks, could have rebounded – giving more of a distancing effect than something which grabs the reader. But instead we get a novel with depth and heft. One that grips and repulses and tantalises all at the same time.
I’ve been meaning to read THE LONG FIRM since it came out, which I now see was nearly an incredible two decades ago. I don’t know what I’ve been doing these last 20 years, but clearly I’ve been missing out.
May 13, 2019
'You know the song, don't you? "There's no business like show business".' Harry gets the Ethel Merman intonation just right as he heats up the poker in the gas burner.
"Like no business."
Turning the iron slowly, sheathing it in blue flame.
'You know?'
I nod with enough emphasis to cause the chair i'm tied to to edge a little across the room. This only brings me closer to Harry. The gas roars softly. Blue flames looking cold. Poker looking hot. Glowing now, already brighter than the fire that feeds it. Getting red hot, white hot.
"Well what if there was a business like show business. Like show business. Like show business. You know?'
Pretty much had me at "poker in the gas burner." A story set in the seedier of London's environs, in the late 1950's through to the late 60's. The criminal underworld and those caught up in it, both victims and tormentors.
An enjoyable read. Recommended. 4.5*
"Like no business."
Turning the iron slowly, sheathing it in blue flame.
'You know?'
I nod with enough emphasis to cause the chair i'm tied to to edge a little across the room. This only brings me closer to Harry. The gas roars softly. Blue flames looking cold. Poker looking hot. Glowing now, already brighter than the fire that feeds it. Getting red hot, white hot.
"Well what if there was a business like show business. Like show business. Like show business. You know?'
Pretty much had me at "poker in the gas burner." A story set in the seedier of London's environs, in the late 1950's through to the late 60's. The criminal underworld and those caught up in it, both victims and tormentors.
An enjoyable read. Recommended. 4.5*
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October 31, 2022La capacidad de este autor para desarrollar cinco puntos de vista completamente diferentes, con cinco estilos narrativos completamente diferentes, es digna de admiración. Sin contar por supuesto al protagonista, mezcla de bestia con genio, que termina generando una sensación ambivalente en el lector. Hiper recomendable.
April 30, 2011
This an amazing read. Jake Arnott takes the reader deep into the seedy underbelly of 60's London... "lairy" blokes getting "aggro" in dark dives... Mad Harry, a gangster's gangster ("I'm not gay, I'm homosexual!") with a thing for the soft, young gay-boys out looking for danger, and trying to make a dishonest dollar honest... bent coppers dipping their greedy paws in for a share.
The Long Firm is a collection of five stories, with intertwining characters and new faces in each "chapter". Each chapter brings people and events to their inevitable conclusion, not predictably, but with a certainty and finality that makes one wonder if those poor souls lives were really about choices, or if their destinies were foretold long ago, and all they can do is let the "fates" do as they must, because... "our wills are not our own... we are shaped and ruled by forces we are barely capable of understanding, and virtually powerless, to change." Do we really have no control? Does society make us what we are, and when it sees the truth, turns a blind eye and deaf ear?
THE LONG FIRM was another recommendation from my dear friend, Paul D Brazill... and, I will say this once again...
You will not go wrong with one of Paul's recommendations! Thank you, Paul.
And... Thank you, Mr Arnott... for a superb story!
The Long Firm is a collection of five stories, with intertwining characters and new faces in each "chapter". Each chapter brings people and events to their inevitable conclusion, not predictably, but with a certainty and finality that makes one wonder if those poor souls lives were really about choices, or if their destinies were foretold long ago, and all they can do is let the "fates" do as they must, because... "our wills are not our own... we are shaped and ruled by forces we are barely capable of understanding, and virtually powerless, to change." Do we really have no control? Does society make us what we are, and when it sees the truth, turns a blind eye and deaf ear?
THE LONG FIRM was another recommendation from my dear friend, Paul D Brazill... and, I will say this once again...
You will not go wrong with one of Paul's recommendations! Thank you, Paul.
And... Thank you, Mr Arnott... for a superb story!
August 4, 2011
What a great book this was. Intelligently written without compromising on entertainment, it focuses on a London gangster from the viewpoints of five of his acquaintances. All in all it's an action-packed whirl through the seedier side of the swinging sixties, a world of rent-boys, strippers, bent coppers and seriously dangerous Maltesers. And every fifty pages or so someone gets tied to a chair. My first thought on reading the title was to joke 'the long firm what?', and judging by some of the subject matter I wasn't too far wide of the mark... Nothing to do with the writing, but my copy had a superbly designed cover, and also featured a picture of the author looking exactly as though he's just spotted someone keying his car. Brilliant.
January 12, 2013
Shocking and gripping; Jake Arnott presents us with a different point of view with every episode, all focussed on the violent gangster Harry Stark.
Arnott makes the whole tale more believable through the introduction of historical personalities; with whom the main characters are associated. The atmosphere generated through this and the use of other historical, political, social and geographical periphery, is one that belongs in the 1960's, where most of the book is set. This might not be the decade that some remember, however; this is a violent, dark and cynical presentation - probably closer to the reality than nostalgia allows one to permit.
Arnott makes the whole tale more believable through the introduction of historical personalities; with whom the main characters are associated. The atmosphere generated through this and the use of other historical, political, social and geographical periphery, is one that belongs in the 1960's, where most of the book is set. This might not be the decade that some remember, however; this is a violent, dark and cynical presentation - probably closer to the reality than nostalgia allows one to permit.
April 20, 2025
I joined GoodReads in large part to get quality recommendations on books. This one, plucked off a fantastic "Best Noir" list, was one of the best I've received. I hate using the "It's like this-popular-movie crossed with this-popular-movie" formula, but this really is like GoodFellas crossed with The Long Good Friday set in London's swinging 60s. A thrilling read from start to finish. Great characters, great dialogue, great setting...just plain great writing. Jake Arnott published this in 1999, I wish he had a more voluminous body of work.
September 10, 2021
Entretenida lectura dividida en relatos independientes, aunque con personajes comunes, en los que el narrador es en cada momento distinto, pero tienen en común su protagonista el gánster Harry Stark y su organización criminal, activa en los 50, 60 y 70. Las historias, aún independientes, ayudan a construir una personalidad compleja y muy interesante. Buena lectura, que se lee con rapidez e interés.
May 17, 2025
Sordid, brutal and tragic.
This is cleverly comprised of four sections, each with different first-person narrators detailing their involvement with the underworld boss Harry Starks. The writing is compelling and pacy and highlights the mirky common ground of the criminal fraternity mixing with the establishment and celebrity worlds. This isn't a glamorous depiction of gangsters in the increasingly common outings for loveable wide boys nor one of the redemption narratives that surround so many sixties gangsters. This is a sordid take on the lives of those in desperation manipulated and coerced into abetting crime. This is cleverly portrayed through four very different personalities and shows a great understanding of psychology.
There were elements of this book I found uncomfortable not because it was graphic, vile, or distressing but simply because it felt too real.
This is cleverly comprised of four sections, each with different first-person narrators detailing their involvement with the underworld boss Harry Starks. The writing is compelling and pacy and highlights the mirky common ground of the criminal fraternity mixing with the establishment and celebrity worlds. This isn't a glamorous depiction of gangsters in the increasingly common outings for loveable wide boys nor one of the redemption narratives that surround so many sixties gangsters. This is a sordid take on the lives of those in desperation manipulated and coerced into abetting crime. This is cleverly portrayed through four very different personalities and shows a great understanding of psychology.
There were elements of this book I found uncomfortable not because it was graphic, vile, or distressing but simply because it felt too real.
November 1, 2017
A rip-roaring ride through the terrifying gangster world of sixties London and beyond. Set at the time of The Krays, Jack the Hat, Lord Boothby and a parade of high-profile celebrities, and in seedy night clubs, porn shops, swanky flats and scary, deserted lock ups. Harry Starks is the chief racketeer and with a dangerously clever mind, his menace dominates a gripping tale. A real page turner!
March 22, 2017
I really enjoyed this. It's written creatively, intelligently and with great understanding of humans in general and the social history of 'sixties London in particular.
Each of the five parts is told in first person by a different character and between them they tell the story of the gangster Harry Sparks. He's a fascinating character, made all the more interesting because we never get to hear his own internal monologue and so, ultimately, his character and motivation retain some mystery.
He is violent and he doesn't even have the excuse of sadism. He tortures because it makes good business sense. However, while fearing him through the narrator characters, the reader also feels some affection for him. Well, I did anyway. I found myself hoping that he would get away with some pretty heinous things.
He is many things: intelligent, Jewish, gay, the son of a communist, starstruck, bipolar, ruthless and yet also a defender of his own moral code. What he forgives and what he will not forgive keep being surprises.
I've given it four stars, but it's probably more like four and a half. The first four sections are closer to four and three quarters, but I enjoyed the last section a bit less. That's partly my own fault for not being able to follow academic theory any more.
Each narrator's thoughts are written in a very different style which reflects their own way of thinking. That was done really well and may well have been my favourite thing about the book. Each one one have made a very good individual novella. Together they created a really powerful experience.
Arnott blends fictional people, places and events, with real ones. One of the narrators is actually a real person (though he never gives his surname, he does give his nickname). It all felt very real.
It's a dark and twisty book with shadows and glorious moments of action. I completely lost myself in it and kept thinking about it and rushing to pick it up and read more of it.
Each of the five parts is told in first person by a different character and between them they tell the story of the gangster Harry Sparks. He's a fascinating character, made all the more interesting because we never get to hear his own internal monologue and so, ultimately, his character and motivation retain some mystery.
He is violent and he doesn't even have the excuse of sadism. He tortures because it makes good business sense. However, while fearing him through the narrator characters, the reader also feels some affection for him. Well, I did anyway. I found myself hoping that he would get away with some pretty heinous things.
He is many things: intelligent, Jewish, gay, the son of a communist, starstruck, bipolar, ruthless and yet also a defender of his own moral code. What he forgives and what he will not forgive keep being surprises.
I've given it four stars, but it's probably more like four and a half. The first four sections are closer to four and three quarters, but I enjoyed the last section a bit less. That's partly my own fault for not being able to follow academic theory any more.
Each narrator's thoughts are written in a very different style which reflects their own way of thinking. That was done really well and may well have been my favourite thing about the book. Each one one have made a very good individual novella. Together they created a really powerful experience.
Arnott blends fictional people, places and events, with real ones. One of the narrators is actually a real person (though he never gives his surname, he does give his nickname). It all felt very real.
It's a dark and twisty book with shadows and glorious moments of action. I completely lost myself in it and kept thinking about it and rushing to pick it up and read more of it.
September 17, 2015
426 páginas y una semana después. sencillamente olvidé actualizar goodreads. La historia se divide en cinco partes. El ex amante, un lord disoluto (palabra que no conocía), un delincuente con pocas aspiraciones, una actriz proclive a los excesos y un criminalista. Todos ellos describen la vida del mafioso Harry Stark, alias el loco Harry.
Ambientada en Londres de los años 60, sabe a una novela negra común y corriente... (qué al final termina siendo). Lo único "diferente" es que Harry es homosexual. Fuera de ello todo es común y lineal. Yo esperaba más de la historia. Lo que rescata el libro es la perspectiva de Jack The Hat...
Al ser comparado con Ellroy supuse que sería excelente, pero no. Después me enteré que toma partes de mafiosos reales y eso me desilusionó, me supo a plagio.
En pocas palabras no te recomiendo que pierdas el tiempo, habiendo otras joyas de novela negra...
Ambientada en Londres de los años 60, sabe a una novela negra común y corriente... (qué al final termina siendo). Lo único "diferente" es que Harry es homosexual. Fuera de ello todo es común y lineal. Yo esperaba más de la historia. Lo que rescata el libro es la perspectiva de Jack The Hat...
Al ser comparado con Ellroy supuse que sería excelente, pero no. Después me enteré que toma partes de mafiosos reales y eso me desilusionó, me supo a plagio.
En pocas palabras no te recomiendo que pierdas el tiempo, habiendo otras joyas de novela negra...
September 3, 2009
This was the second book on the list for the "law and literature" weekend, and after Above Suspicion I didn't have high hopes. Fortunately, this turned out to be the much better of the two. Set in 1960s London it tells the tale of a crime boss, but rather than the usual third person or even first person narrative, it changes perspective to a variety of minor characters, who in and of themselves are rather interesting. Not only was Mr. Arnott successful in creating such vibrant and funky characters, each complete with their own style, by utilising this technique he gives us a much more faceted picture of the main character than what might be otherwise possible. I was utterly fascinated from beginning to end and am very much looking forward to discussing this with the author.
February 5, 2010
Several different stories interwoven around one main character, and the different interactions with him.
The book doesn't shy away from difficult topics, but certainly owes a big nod towards the 60s gangsters like the Krays and Richardsons, many of whom are name checked along the way.
It deals with both insiders and outsiders of the criminal life and how their touching upon that world affects them.
The era is painted vividly, with lots of little news details to evoke a sense of time and place.
You're tansported on a journey of development and understanding alongside the characters involved.
There are some genuinely unsettling moments which keeps the book away from picking an easy path through the issues.
The book doesn't shy away from difficult topics, but certainly owes a big nod towards the 60s gangsters like the Krays and Richardsons, many of whom are name checked along the way.
It deals with both insiders and outsiders of the criminal life and how their touching upon that world affects them.
The era is painted vividly, with lots of little news details to evoke a sense of time and place.
You're tansported on a journey of development and understanding alongside the characters involved.
There are some genuinely unsettling moments which keeps the book away from picking an easy path through the issues.
November 22, 2015
A tough, efficient, well written crime novel set in London during the 60's. Harry Starks is a contemporary of The Krays and runs his own firm with a rod of iron. Arnott paints a complex character, plagued by black moods yet matter-of-fact about his homosexuality. The prose is economical and keeps the story moving along at a good pace.
The rise and fall of Starks is told in five episodes, from the point of view of five different people who encounter Harry, either as friend, lover, employee or all three. Arnott brings to life the seedier side of 'Swinging London' and Starks's calculated brutality is described simply as his way of being in control. We are invited to make our own moral judgements.
A good read.
The rise and fall of Starks is told in five episodes, from the point of view of five different people who encounter Harry, either as friend, lover, employee or all three. Arnott brings to life the seedier side of 'Swinging London' and Starks's calculated brutality is described simply as his way of being in control. We are invited to make our own moral judgements.
A good read.
March 13, 2013
A friend lent me this book she'd picked up from a charity shop along with Arnott's second in the series, He Kills Coppers. The novel gives POV's of several characters who knew the main protagonist,Harry Stark, 60's London gang boss and psychotic leader of The torture gang. It's a great read and particularly resonates if you live in London and recall some of the seedier times and infamous news stories around the Kray twins and Richardson gang. Some of the passages of torture are hard to read but the depictions and story telling is tight and fast moving. The characters are well drawn out as each one recalls their relationship with Harry from his early years as heavy for a slum land lord to his jail time and loads in between. Highly recommended.
June 15, 2011
I read Jake Arnott's later book, "He Kills Coppers" a few years back and had a hard time getting into it. So, I delayed reading "The Long Firm," to my regret--this is a tour de force of crime writing. Arnott masters the points of view of several different characters, all surrounding an early 1960's crime boss. That the crime boss also is gay adds one of many twists that keep delivering reader interest in this great book. I wish Arnott's later books would have gotten U.S. publication. Highly recommended.
October 5, 2008
"The Long Firm" is already a classic British crime novel. It is also a detailed snapshot of 60's London via the eyes of British gangsters. Real people come and go in the narrative and they even have the crazed genius Joe Meek in the story.
In one sense, Arnott is the British version o James Ellroy, in that he details the history of a place and a group of people that tells the bigger story which is London.
In one sense, Arnott is the British version o James Ellroy, in that he details the history of a place and a group of people that tells the bigger story which is London.
July 28, 2011
Good story which is perhaps a little too self-conscious but captures a particular milieu very well and gives it a novel twist - gay gangsters are pretty thin on the ground in my experience. Memorable central character.
July 30, 2013
Una de las mejores novelas de lo que llevamos de siglo, la califiqué como la novela del año en 2009 y, de momento, he encontrado pocos que lo superen. Más detalles:
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http://ricardobosque.wordpress.com/20...
August 29, 2016
I enjoyed this book. The story was told from different perspectives but the central character was Harry. Portrayed through the eyes of a lover, a fellow con, a friend and a professor, the story is never boring. Clever dialogue and plot diversity kept me hooked until the end.
October 11, 2023
The swinging 60s are a cover-up for a story about the Italian mon that once ruled SoHo and many other of London’s neighbourhoods.
If you’re really into that I’ll suggest watching season 4 of Peaky Blinders.
↠ 3 stars
If you’re really into that I’ll suggest watching season 4 of Peaky Blinders.
↠ 3 stars
January 22, 2015
I've been a bit ill and really needed a good bit of fiction to see me through, this book fitted the bill perfectly.
March 26, 2025
A mixture of fiction with real-life characters, most notably the Kray brothers and Jack the Hat, interwoven in the story, it is in five parts, each one narrated by a different character. Throughout it all Harry Starks, a homosexual gangland boss with a weakness for stardom and a yearning for respectability, features strongly, in more ways than one, some pleasant, many unpleasant!
The interaction between each narrator and Harry is different but the overriding feature is that, telling of their dealings with the moody Harry, there is always trouble between them if things do not go Harry's way.
The first of the quintet is Terry. It was his first year in London, living in a bedsit in Westbourne Grove (close to where I first lived when I went to London straight from school). He first encountered Harry in a coffee bar called The Casbah Lounge and when Harry entered and looked round, he took an immediate shine to the boy. For a goodly time, therefore, Terry became Harry's pretty suburban kept boy. The relationship was fraught with danger, Harry thrived, Terry suffered and when they parted Harry told him, 'You don't talk to anybody about anything. You've had a taste of what will happen if you do.'
Teddy is a homosexual, corrupt peer who wants fame and to make an easy buck. But dealing with Harry was too much for him, he was tied in knots, frightened to say anything out of turn and very quickly found himself out of his depth in all the corrupt busy dealings that were going on. This was particularly the case when he got involved in a business venture in Africa a situation he wanted to pull out of but could not do so until the whole operation went sour and he was very relieved to, in his own words, 'get out of this god-forsaken place'. But it was at a heavy cost.
The third episode features a well-known East End gangster in Jack the Hat McVitie, who at one time was very close to the Krays but in this episode he teams up with their rival Harry Starks. And it leads to all sorts of trouble and ends up with ... well, if you know the story of Jack the Hat you won't need reminding. But suffice it to say that Jack played both sides and eventually suffered for his duplicity.
The female element of the story features Ruby Ryder, a blonde fading Rank starlet who gets involved in Harry's pornography industry where she comes across the corrupt cop George Mooney. Unfortunately for her she is led a merry dance and suffers at the hands of both Harry and Mooney but ultimately it is the former who suffers.
Finally, in perhaps the least interesting episode of the whole story, which falls away somewhat, is Lenny, a criminologist who like the others, has a relationship with Harry that leads him into the dark realities of the criminal underworld. Ultimately, in a dramatic climax, he, too, is out of his comfort zone and, at his lowest ebb because of his actions, has to be reassured by Harry, 'Come on. Breathe out slowly. That's it. Let it go.' Harry unperturbed then makes his getaway!
The ambience of the novel is perfect and although obviously not involved in such activities in my time in London, which coincides very well with this tale, it does capture the period detail of the metropolis as it was with many familiar landmarks brought back to me. Jake Arnott very definitely captures a vivid evocation of the times in a very readable tale.
The interaction between each narrator and Harry is different but the overriding feature is that, telling of their dealings with the moody Harry, there is always trouble between them if things do not go Harry's way.
The first of the quintet is Terry. It was his first year in London, living in a bedsit in Westbourne Grove (close to where I first lived when I went to London straight from school). He first encountered Harry in a coffee bar called The Casbah Lounge and when Harry entered and looked round, he took an immediate shine to the boy. For a goodly time, therefore, Terry became Harry's pretty suburban kept boy. The relationship was fraught with danger, Harry thrived, Terry suffered and when they parted Harry told him, 'You don't talk to anybody about anything. You've had a taste of what will happen if you do.'
Teddy is a homosexual, corrupt peer who wants fame and to make an easy buck. But dealing with Harry was too much for him, he was tied in knots, frightened to say anything out of turn and very quickly found himself out of his depth in all the corrupt busy dealings that were going on. This was particularly the case when he got involved in a business venture in Africa a situation he wanted to pull out of but could not do so until the whole operation went sour and he was very relieved to, in his own words, 'get out of this god-forsaken place'. But it was at a heavy cost.
The third episode features a well-known East End gangster in Jack the Hat McVitie, who at one time was very close to the Krays but in this episode he teams up with their rival Harry Starks. And it leads to all sorts of trouble and ends up with ... well, if you know the story of Jack the Hat you won't need reminding. But suffice it to say that Jack played both sides and eventually suffered for his duplicity.
The female element of the story features Ruby Ryder, a blonde fading Rank starlet who gets involved in Harry's pornography industry where she comes across the corrupt cop George Mooney. Unfortunately for her she is led a merry dance and suffers at the hands of both Harry and Mooney but ultimately it is the former who suffers.
Finally, in perhaps the least interesting episode of the whole story, which falls away somewhat, is Lenny, a criminologist who like the others, has a relationship with Harry that leads him into the dark realities of the criminal underworld. Ultimately, in a dramatic climax, he, too, is out of his comfort zone and, at his lowest ebb because of his actions, has to be reassured by Harry, 'Come on. Breathe out slowly. That's it. Let it go.' Harry unperturbed then makes his getaway!
The ambience of the novel is perfect and although obviously not involved in such activities in my time in London, which coincides very well with this tale, it does capture the period detail of the metropolis as it was with many familiar landmarks brought back to me. Jake Arnott very definitely captures a vivid evocation of the times in a very readable tale.
July 17, 2022
At first, I thought of giving it three stars, but the ending changed my mind. See, this is the slowest book I have ever read this year. The build-up was drawn so long that I nearly lost interest in the middle. All of these many characters were all focusing on one guy, Harry Starks. I loved this presentation about it. It was different, and much appreciated.
Harry Starks run an organised crime in London. It is set in the sixties. At first, we experience everything from Terry's point of view, who is the lover of Harry. We get to know of the abuse that Terry was at the receiving end of from Harry, who is battling mental illness. Terry then is caught in one of the jobs of Harry that he ends up being tortured. Then we see things from Teddy, a Lord. This one didn't bring much to the picture except to show the corruption that was there in London in the sixties. The book started becoming interesting from Ruby's point of view. That's where the pace of the book started to pick up.
As I have said, I enjoyed the last part. I do not know whether the fact that I am philosophical myself played a huge role in it. But I loved the dialogue between Harry and Lenny. It was so eye-opening. Here are the two quotes by Harry I loved:
"Losing remission is a far worse punishment but it's seen as being less brutal. In fact, punishment isn't seen any more but instead becomes the most hidden part of the process. So you see abolish corporal punishment, you know, punishment on the body. Instead you punish the soul."
And
"You see, the problem with deviancy theory is that it never really analyses the structures we're supposed to be deviating from. Oh, you love the subjects. So strange and exotic. Like going to the zoo. You love all these wild creatures because they're behind bars and can't hurt you. You want to like us but deep down you're scared of us."
Harry Starks run an organised crime in London. It is set in the sixties. At first, we experience everything from Terry's point of view, who is the lover of Harry. We get to know of the abuse that Terry was at the receiving end of from Harry, who is battling mental illness. Terry then is caught in one of the jobs of Harry that he ends up being tortured. Then we see things from Teddy, a Lord. This one didn't bring much to the picture except to show the corruption that was there in London in the sixties. The book started becoming interesting from Ruby's point of view. That's where the pace of the book started to pick up.
As I have said, I enjoyed the last part. I do not know whether the fact that I am philosophical myself played a huge role in it. But I loved the dialogue between Harry and Lenny. It was so eye-opening. Here are the two quotes by Harry I loved:
"Losing remission is a far worse punishment but it's seen as being less brutal. In fact, punishment isn't seen any more but instead becomes the most hidden part of the process. So you see abolish corporal punishment, you know, punishment on the body. Instead you punish the soul."
And
"You see, the problem with deviancy theory is that it never really analyses the structures we're supposed to be deviating from. Oh, you love the subjects. So strange and exotic. Like going to the zoo. You love all these wild creatures because they're behind bars and can't hurt you. You want to like us but deep down you're scared of us."
April 26, 2020
One of the few books I have actually given up on.
The idea of writing about a character through the eyes of five different, other characters is ok. I liked the way each of the characters gets their own, distinctive style of writing.
The first story was alright. It was structured in such a way as to give two big questions early on which I wanted to find the answers to: what happened to the relationship, and what was the catch with the job? It was worth reading for that, although the amount of sex was an unpleasant distraction. Knowing it's happening is fine, and can be relevant to the story, but I could do without the finer details. Still, despite that it was a decent read and generated an interesting, believable sense of the times and society the characters moved in.
The second story did nothing for me. I didn't take to any of the characters, and wasn't interested about finding out what was going to happen to them or to the project in question. So, there was no sense of satisfaction at the conclusion of this section.
I got a few pages into the third story. The style of writing was difficult for me to get into. It felt true to character, but not enjoyable to read. There was lots of swearing and abbreviated phrases, from someone who didn't really seem to do much apart from take drugs and criticise others, but no sense of purpose to keep reading for.
The overall idea of the book seems to be a good one, and part of me wants to like it because of that. Alas, it wasn't enough to make up for disappointing characters and lack of plot.
The idea of writing about a character through the eyes of five different, other characters is ok. I liked the way each of the characters gets their own, distinctive style of writing.
The first story was alright. It was structured in such a way as to give two big questions early on which I wanted to find the answers to: what happened to the relationship, and what was the catch with the job? It was worth reading for that, although the amount of sex was an unpleasant distraction. Knowing it's happening is fine, and can be relevant to the story, but I could do without the finer details. Still, despite that it was a decent read and generated an interesting, believable sense of the times and society the characters moved in.
The second story did nothing for me. I didn't take to any of the characters, and wasn't interested about finding out what was going to happen to them or to the project in question. So, there was no sense of satisfaction at the conclusion of this section.
I got a few pages into the third story. The style of writing was difficult for me to get into. It felt true to character, but not enjoyable to read. There was lots of swearing and abbreviated phrases, from someone who didn't really seem to do much apart from take drugs and criticise others, but no sense of purpose to keep reading for.
The overall idea of the book seems to be a good one, and part of me wants to like it because of that. Alas, it wasn't enough to make up for disappointing characters and lack of plot.
August 25, 2019
This book was a good read but the first 4 sections out of 5 were full of cliches. Every cultural reference for London gangster land in the 60s and 70s possible was thrown into the mix. It really had little to set it apart from other more authentic books and felt it was being written for a TV series. However the final section suddenly became riveting as a sociology university academic visits the gangsters in jail to open their minds to the latest theories about how society should take the blame for the deviants it creates. The main character Harry takes this seriously and takes a Open University course becoming more critical and informed than the academic. Fascinating stuff and what a great book this would have been if the same approach had been taken over the previous sections. It could easily have been done using flashbacks during interviews in the prison. A wasted opportunity.
July 17, 2023
Gripping read set in 1960s gangster London, told from the perspective of five of Harry Stark's 'victims'. I was bracing myself for the physical violence, which I would normally tend to avoid, but the psychological tension built up through each of the interlocking accounts, kept me turning the pages and I found it hard to put down. Interestingly, this is one of the themes in the final episode - which is worse the physical or the psychological?
It captured the London of its time, the phrases and the banter effectively, which together with the references to other historical characters of the period, made the story of the gangster underworld believable.
The other books in the trilogy are now added to my TBR pile.
It captured the London of its time, the phrases and the banter effectively, which together with the references to other historical characters of the period, made the story of the gangster underworld believable.
The other books in the trilogy are now added to my TBR pile.
September 24, 2017
Setting: London; 1960s-70s. Gritty and gripping tale set in London's gang culture, featuring gangster, racketeer and club owner (although he would say 'businessman') Harry Starks - a fictional character trying to make money at the time of the Krays and other criminal gangs. The story was brilliantly narrated by a number of different characters who were under Harry's influence at one time or another. Disturbingly violent and shocking at times, the book is the first in 'The Long Firm' trilogy and I am looking forward to reading the next two in the series. Jake Arnott's writing is thoroughly gripping - 9/10.
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