Arnott's Getting There... (The Long Firm - Jake Arnott)

Name: beedubblyer

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Product:	The Long Firm - Jake Arnott
Date:	08/06/01 (53 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Atmosphere

Disadvantages: Occasionally weak characterization

Jake Arnott's accomplished debut takes the form of five interlinked short stories, that collectively tell of the criminal history of Harry Starks, 'Torture Gang Boss' and entrepreneur. Between the boyfriend, the crooked peer, the heavy, the showgirl and the academic, snapshots contribute to a bigger picture of Starks.

The novel has been praised for its meticulous attention to historical detail, and it feels entirely accurate. The '60's period tone never falters, and the depth of his research isn't to be denied. But at times, all that knowledge weighs heavily on Arnott. He spends far too much time explicating his underworld slang, in a sometimes clumsy manner, with characters continually explaining the terms they use. The action is convincing, and is effectively blunt and savage when related from the viewpoint of real-life villain Jack "The Hat" McVitie (even if shades of James Ellroy start to become apparent). And Starks' homosexuality is handled well - for the most part.

It's an engaging read, and excitement is sustained across all five stories; though none of the tales gives an entirely different reading of Harry's character - far from presenting a new face to each accomplice, he is largely the same no matter who is describing him.

Props, though, for Arnott's thankfully ambitious first novel. It's not entirely successful. Perhaps the weakest narrative voice belongs to the showgirl who becomes a business partner, Ruby Ryder. Worse than this, is the character of Harry's nemesis, a two-dimensional villain who never really feels like a threat, and who descends into cliché for the denouement. But! it is difficult to take nothing from Arnott's vividly recreated, swinging gangland. If he can inject a little more honest malice into his villains and anti-heroes, and remove a little of the artifice, he'll be well on his way to producing something great.

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