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Judas Pig
It's hard to know whether the pseudonymous Silver is really an English criminal mastermind as claimed. This novel seems like a book such a man might plotless and self-aggrandizing. Billy Abrahams is a sharp-dressing thug who has risen from abuse and poverty to become one of London's most notorious gangsters. Pausing occasionally to explain proper villain decorum, he tells his story as a series of on-the-job anecdotes, chockablock with murder, mayhem, and misogyny. One suspects that running even a criminal empire might include managerial mundanities, but Billy's life is more like a Scorsese flick with all the exposition cut out. What ultimately keeps this tale afloat is its relentless energy and wonderfully inventive slang. No way to tell if the latter is authentic, either, but lines like ""bifocal bins so thick his mince pies look like a couple of currants"" are too good to resist. For crime fans who think Ken Bruen a bit mild.""--Booklist
- GenresCrimeTrue Crime
345 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
36 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 23, 2012
Even in a country as small as Belgium ( where I live ) there's organized crime going on. Sure, the perpetrators differ from country to country : in Belgium for instance there isn't really a lot of 'indigenous' organized crime going on, while its neighboring country the Netherlands has spawned its fair share of native gangsters and Belgium's other neighboring country Germany has also given birth to some native outlaw motorcycle gangs involved in organized crime. That's not to say there isn't a lot of organized crime in Belgium. Albanians, Italians, Chechens, Georgians, Turks, Kurds, Dutch, Greeks, Moroccans, Congolese have all muscled in on this violent business. And I'm in no way pointing my finger at those communities because I have at least one or more friends within all of those communities.
BUT before you're even thinking about getting involved in organized crime yourself, you might consider to do some research on this subject. Because not all is about fancy cars, bottles of champagne and mansions more expensive than an entire village. Judas Pig, in this regard, is the best information you can get. Written by an English ex-mobster, he tells about his years belonging to the most feared and barbarically brutal crew of gangsters out of the East End of London. A 'Firm' ( because that's how the native criminal organizations in England are called ) that has the reputation of being far worse than the legendary Krays or even the powerful Adams syndicate from London who are reputed to dominate organized crime in North and West London.
I don't know which situations in the book really happened, I wasn't there, but it all sounds realistic. If you did some research on gangland London you will recognize some of the infamous names and crime entities : Maltese gangsters, the Turkish Cypriot Arif clan,...all make an entertaining but realistic sounding appearance.
The writing is brilliant. As brutal as the story is, the way the author describes things with hilarious Cocknet wit made me laugh out loud a lot. This is in contrast with the vicious stuff that happens throughout the book. People are maimed, murdered,...in a way that would rival some of the more hardcore horror novels out there except for the fact that the stuff in this book did happen. One member of the East End crew in particular is described in this book as far more morally repulsive than 99% of the mobsters out there as he commits some acts that even the most hardcore of post-Soviet or Mexican gangsters would deem as completely unnecessary and beyond f***ed up.
The book nevertheless is as entertaining as it is informative. It reminded me of Rise Of The Footsoldier ( which is still one of my favourite movies, although I know that there are technically better movies around) in terms of atmosphere. It succesfully ties a series of scenes together that did happen in real life, while giving you a good insight in the brutal and nightmarish underworld of London.
For this, I highly recommend this book.
BUT before you're even thinking about getting involved in organized crime yourself, you might consider to do some research on this subject. Because not all is about fancy cars, bottles of champagne and mansions more expensive than an entire village. Judas Pig, in this regard, is the best information you can get. Written by an English ex-mobster, he tells about his years belonging to the most feared and barbarically brutal crew of gangsters out of the East End of London. A 'Firm' ( because that's how the native criminal organizations in England are called ) that has the reputation of being far worse than the legendary Krays or even the powerful Adams syndicate from London who are reputed to dominate organized crime in North and West London.
I don't know which situations in the book really happened, I wasn't there, but it all sounds realistic. If you did some research on gangland London you will recognize some of the infamous names and crime entities : Maltese gangsters, the Turkish Cypriot Arif clan,...all make an entertaining but realistic sounding appearance.
The writing is brilliant. As brutal as the story is, the way the author describes things with hilarious Cocknet wit made me laugh out loud a lot. This is in contrast with the vicious stuff that happens throughout the book. People are maimed, murdered,...in a way that would rival some of the more hardcore horror novels out there except for the fact that the stuff in this book did happen. One member of the East End crew in particular is described in this book as far more morally repulsive than 99% of the mobsters out there as he commits some acts that even the most hardcore of post-Soviet or Mexican gangsters would deem as completely unnecessary and beyond f***ed up.
The book nevertheless is as entertaining as it is informative. It reminded me of Rise Of The Footsoldier ( which is still one of my favourite movies, although I know that there are technically better movies around) in terms of atmosphere. It succesfully ties a series of scenes together that did happen in real life, while giving you a good insight in the brutal and nightmarish underworld of London.
For this, I highly recommend this book.
December 6, 2018
This is a tough and uncompromising glimpse into the life of organised crime and violence on London’s streets.
Horace Silver is the pseudonym of a former armed robber who was, along with his associates, described by Scotland Yard as worse than the Krays. His protagonist and narrator is Billy Abrahams who’s life of crime gives him a life of luxury. Though written as a series of anecdotes of armed robbery and murder, there is an ongoing theme throughout the book, that of his relationship with his psychopathic partner Danny. When Danny commits a stunt that appalls even Billy, he begins to doubt his role and look beyond violence.
In Silver’s own words though,
Here lies the problem with the book. It’s agreed by eminent police officers to be an accurate reflection of London crime at the time, and as such caused a sensation on release as despite claiming to be fictionalised, true crime characters can be identified.
But it’s not well-written. The profanity used leaves a sense of unease and awkwardness. That maybe because it’s so close to the truth.
It’s a hard book to enjoy, compared with a great writer of noir such as Woodrell (a book I’ve just finished), which has similar content.
There’s a really good article from the Observer about the book here, https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2004/f....
Horace Silver is the pseudonym of a former armed robber who was, along with his associates, described by Scotland Yard as worse than the Krays. His protagonist and narrator is Billy Abrahams who’s life of crime gives him a life of luxury. Though written as a series of anecdotes of armed robbery and murder, there is an ongoing theme throughout the book, that of his relationship with his psychopathic partner Danny. When Danny commits a stunt that appalls even Billy, he begins to doubt his role and look beyond violence.
In Silver’s own words though,
It’s a genre that holds no interest to me. I’m a criminal that’s written a book, not a crime writer..
Here lies the problem with the book. It’s agreed by eminent police officers to be an accurate reflection of London crime at the time, and as such caused a sensation on release as despite claiming to be fictionalised, true crime characters can be identified.
But it’s not well-written. The profanity used leaves a sense of unease and awkwardness. That maybe because it’s so close to the truth.
It’s a hard book to enjoy, compared with a great writer of noir such as Woodrell (a book I’ve just finished), which has similar content.
There’s a really good article from the Observer about the book here, https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2004/f....
January 29, 2019
Hard-core
Couldn't stop reading -gangsters without the glamour! Well worth a read .... Richard and Judy said ban it, which puts it up in my estimation
Couldn't stop reading -gangsters without the glamour! Well worth a read .... Richard and Judy said ban it, which puts it up in my estimation
August 23, 2021
Absolutely riddled with spelling mistakes! Which is a shame, oddly it also it has no chapters! It appears as though the printing budget was rather low.
It's allegedly a work of fiction, however one gets the sense that the guy behind the story didn't have to use his imagination to write this book and majority of it is true.
It's an entertaining book and gives a good insight into the life of a member of an organised crime syndicate. At times it's very violent, very crude and very racist. There's never a dull moment and besides the store mentioned points it's an entertaining read!
It's allegedly a work of fiction, however one gets the sense that the guy behind the story didn't have to use his imagination to write this book and majority of it is true.
It's an entertaining book and gives a good insight into the life of a member of an organised crime syndicate. At times it's very violent, very crude and very racist. There's never a dull moment and besides the store mentioned points it's an entertaining read!
August 9, 2023
I couldn’t put this book down…
Wow just wow. The best book I’ve read for a long time and I don’t even read gangster books. Do yourself a favour and read this book. The violence is next level so don’t say I didn’t warn you…
Wow just wow. The best book I’ve read for a long time and I don’t even read gangster books. Do yourself a favour and read this book. The violence is next level so don’t say I didn’t warn you…
November 14, 2023
Ruthless, dark, funny, full of cockney slang and the best phrases. Probably not the best written book in terms of the story but still, so worth a read. If you’re interested in gangs and crime, read it
February 27, 2017
Wow
Incredible rollercoaster, written with brutal and flowing style -think edward bunker 'no beast so fierce.' . Apparently a thinly veiled biography of contemporary London villains
Incredible rollercoaster, written with brutal and flowing style -think edward bunker 'no beast so fierce.' . Apparently a thinly veiled biography of contemporary London villains
August 28, 2020
Best book I've read in a while
Should be turned into a film, although I guess they'd run into some problems, but was a great read from start to finish.
Should be turned into a film, although I guess they'd run into some problems, but was a great read from start to finish.
January 3, 2021
If gangster books are your thing read this
Blinding book full of characters and villains evil plots and realistic for a fiction book can't say better than that
Blinding book full of characters and villains evil plots and realistic for a fiction book can't say better than that
January 27, 2021
Great read, captivating
March 10, 2022
It’s a page turner file sure .
I’m really glad I don’t know any of these people .
If you are interested in the real life gangster way of life
It’s definitely not for the faint hearted
I’m really glad I don’t know any of these people .
If you are interested in the real life gangster way of life
It’s definitely not for the faint hearted
April 11, 2022
Great read
Awsome book great story very well relayed. As close as possible to the shity life of dishonesty betrayal and money.
Awsome book great story very well relayed. As close as possible to the shity life of dishonesty betrayal and money.
November 4, 2022
Annoying fantasist is all that needs to be said
May 29, 2025
awsome
Abaolutely awesome read. Highly recommend. If you like the gangster genre this book is up there.
The follow up is also worth it!
Abaolutely awesome read. Highly recommend. If you like the gangster genre this book is up there.
The follow up is also worth it!
December 12, 2017
This wasn't a bad book at all -- far from it. It was a compelling read, and was very funny a lot of the time. I was a bit off-put by some of the continuity issues though. Protagonist claims to be 28, but talks about giving blowjobs for half a crown? That'd surely put him into his 60's.
If it's the kind of thing you like, it's worth a try. Think a much edgier version of Layer cake.
If it's the kind of thing you like, it's worth a try. Think a much edgier version of Layer cake.
Read
April 18, 2023Best book I've read in a long while
Wasn't sure about it at first,find books difficult to read in the 1st person, but this was fast pacing and exhilarating, excellent read
Wasn't sure about it at first,find books difficult to read in the 1st person, but this was fast pacing and exhilarating, excellent read
January 9, 2020
Brilliant. This is not one of your celebrity gangster bullshit books. Judas Pig tells it like it is. Even better for me as the book contains people I know personally and places I am familiar with.
To understand many of the terms and phrases, it helps to know a bit of London rhyming slang. That aside, this is a fantastic read, a mixture of graphic gory detail and hilarious one-liners. And great narrative.
So good I read it all in one day - with only sleep interrupting my attention.
To understand many of the terms and phrases, it helps to know a bit of London rhyming slang. That aside, this is a fantastic read, a mixture of graphic gory detail and hilarious one-liners. And great narrative.
So good I read it all in one day - with only sleep interrupting my attention.
March 29, 2013
The most authentic book on British crime you can find despite being mostly fictional (some events and people are real). The language and atmosphere are first class. After Papillion this is the most read book in British prisons despite a very limited print run. Very excited about the next book Horace.
February 22, 2016
A Cracking Read
I know that it's an old cliques but I couldn't put it down. It was a really good read from start to finish. You could feel the violence and hatred throughout the book flowing through the members of the gang.
I know that it's an old cliques but I couldn't put it down. It was a really good read from start to finish. You could feel the violence and hatred throughout the book flowing through the members of the gang.
Read
November 25, 2018I think this is the first gangster novel I've ever read. I thought it was a horror novel when I picked it up. I was wrong, but by the time I realized my mistake, I was about a third of the way in and enjoying the book.
March 25, 2019
WOW! OUTSTANDING.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews