McIlvaney- Scotland's Raymond Chandler

Would you listen to Laidlaw again? Why?

Most definitely! This Glaswegian detective is a combination of 'troubled man' , scholar, social worker, psychologist and is as consummately clever and tough as they come. A hugely compelling and appealing character.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Laidlaw?

The author uses what I think are immense literary and observational skills each time he analyses the leading characters in this novel. Impossible to point to just one example in a novel that is so rich with these examples. Even the toughies have their finer points.

What aspect of William McIlvanney’s performance might you have changed?

I enjoyed his reading because he wrote this excellent novel and knows exactly how to deliver it to its best BUT, it was often very off-putting to hear so distinctly whenever he needed to swallow or moisten his lips. This is where technically the pro's are best.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

LOVED the whole narrative and scene-setting around the interview Laidlaw has with the mother of the victim's friend!

Any additional comments?

I just so admired the author's ability to combine poetic and insightful descriptions of Glasgow and the various characters with the hard-hitting and more violent aspects of life and crime in this city. This is NOT a who-dun-it nor is it just a hard-hitting tartan-noir. It's almost a social commentary on modern day Glasgow and its damaging inequalities and ever-present dangers. Some really great one-liners that will make you smile though.

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15 people found this helpful

Great storytelling

Where does Laidlaw rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The author's take on the style of the story is rather soporific and great for going to sleep to. You have to really listen and often revisit earlier parts to get the full sadness and intertwining of the lives and the characters. There is no hero in this book just people with interrelated lives.It is like being in a noisy pub with a great raconteur and hating every distraction that is interrupting your enjoyment of the tales you are being told.I have different books for different times and different moods so this is one for solitary times when you want to meet an old friend and have a chat. I am sure on my next listen through i will find that i have missed a lot it is very richly layered.

What other book might you compare Laidlaw to, and why?

Probably something done in a stream of consciousness style as you drift through the unravelling of time and place and symbiosis.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

He could have set his characters as from different parts of scotland it was hard to tell who was speaking a lot of the time there was very little light and shade or change of pace in the voices

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were several character revelations of our antihero Laidlaw where he let his mask slip and we saw glimpses of the man underneath. I won't spoil these for other listeners.

Any additional comments?

Despite the difficulty listening to the narrator the book gained from having the author give his own feelings and pace so i will definitely buy the next written and read by William McIlvanney.

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12 people found this helpful

Mixed feelings

Some of the language in this story was beautiful, but I found it quite difficult to identify the characters. I think this was because the narration was in one 'voice' and each character talked in the same style as the others if you understand me. Also, between chapters there was no pause in order for the listener to absorb the narrative, so I ended up feeling rushed.
The story itself had a start, middle and end, but now looking back I can't separate them.
Perhaps the author could consider another narrator, maybe someone like Angus King, who could have brought each character to life.
However, all in all, worth a listen.

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1 person found this helpful

Great story, awful narrator noises

Sadly the narrator made loud noises whilst speaking - very distracting. Otherwise, I enjoyed the story and met a new author.

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Glaswegian..

It took me a little while to work out it was set in the early 70's-this was because there was a lack of mobile phones, and a David Essex reference confirmed it..
Great accents, good story...if you like tough, and maverick detectives with a touch of strong Glaswegian thrown in..take a chance on this.

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My 2nd time. Probably not my last.

It’s the depth of characters. Feel like I’m there among them and their cigarette smoke

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No ma cup a tea.

The author reads the book and I feel does not do it justice. The story is straight forward but the writing is full of tangents in the descriptions of things. for me this was distracting .

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1 person found this helpful

One of the great crime novels

William McIlvanney is simply the greatest of the Scottish crime writers, a tour de force. So much more than a detective novel more a meditation on the human condition.

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1 person found this helpful

Good read

Liked this book but do find the pessimistic turn of phrase a little off putting.

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can't finish it

I'm really struggling with this one. cant really get into the story because of the poor narration. The author should stick. to writing and pass the narration to so.eone else. I would read this book rather than listen.

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