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The Long Firm by Jake Arnott
Nov. 20th, 2007 10:06 pmThe Blurb On The Back:
There is no descriptive Blurb on the Back, instead we get the following quotes:
“This gangster novel set (mainly) in sixties London is one of the smartest, funniest and original novels you will read all year. It is a gloriously accomplished re-creation of the city in the era of the Kray Twins when aristocratic politicians mixed freely with gangsters, rent boys and actresses of dubious repute in a decadent demi-monde. Arnott is quite brilliant at excavating the cultural minutiae of the time to bring the period vividly to life.”
Justin Tague, Independent on Sunday
"Truly fascinating ... Arnott’s ability to powerfully resurrect an era is astonishing.”
Jimmy Boyle, Guardian
“This is pulp fiction so polished as to be immaculate.”
James Harkin, New Statesmen
“The Long Firm manages to hook you from the first. It is compulsive reading, powerful writing with an evocative feel for the bleaker side of the Swinging Sixties.”
Dominic Bradbury, The Times
“Outstanding ... Arnott’s recreation of the decadent, dangerous atmosphere of the times is immaculate. His prose is as smooth as a seersucker suit, as sweet as a purple heart. Suck it and see.”
Robert MacFarlane, Observer
"Gripping ... slumming it doesn’t get much better than this.”
Mark Sanderson, Time Out
“As polished as a brass knuckleduster ... This is strong-arm stuff, which zings with an authentic low-life argot and grips the reader with its head-in-a-vice portrait of the ugly glamour of the era.”
Sunday Times
“One of the most impressive first novels I’ve read in years.”
Simon Shaw, Mail on Sunday
( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )
The Verdict:
A really good read and definitely worth a look if you’re interested in the 1960s, London gangsters or really good characterisation. The last segment’s a little too heavy on sociological theory for my taste and I think it slowed down the action too much, but I can’t fault Arnott’s research and the skill he has in maintaining voice is extraordinary.
There is no descriptive Blurb on the Back, instead we get the following quotes:
“This gangster novel set (mainly) in sixties London is one of the smartest, funniest and original novels you will read all year. It is a gloriously accomplished re-creation of the city in the era of the Kray Twins when aristocratic politicians mixed freely with gangsters, rent boys and actresses of dubious repute in a decadent demi-monde. Arnott is quite brilliant at excavating the cultural minutiae of the time to bring the period vividly to life.”
"Truly fascinating ... Arnott’s ability to powerfully resurrect an era is astonishing.”
“This is pulp fiction so polished as to be immaculate.”
“The Long Firm manages to hook you from the first. It is compulsive reading, powerful writing with an evocative feel for the bleaker side of the Swinging Sixties.”
“Outstanding ... Arnott’s recreation of the decadent, dangerous atmosphere of the times is immaculate. His prose is as smooth as a seersucker suit, as sweet as a purple heart. Suck it and see.”
"Gripping ... slumming it doesn’t get much better than this.”
“As polished as a brass knuckleduster ... This is strong-arm stuff, which zings with an authentic low-life argot and grips the reader with its head-in-a-vice portrait of the ugly glamour of the era.”
“One of the most impressive first novels I’ve read in years.”
( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )
The Verdict:
A really good read and definitely worth a look if you’re interested in the 1960s, London gangsters or really good characterisation. The last segment’s a little too heavy on sociological theory for my taste and I think it slowed down the action too much, but I can’t fault Arnott’s research and the skill he has in maintaining voice is extraordinary.
