“I, Ripper”
by Stephen Hunter
by Stephen Hunter
There are a
lot of books, both fiction and non-fiction, about Jack the Ripper. I have read
many of them. “I, Ripper” by Stephen Hunter is possibly the best fictional look
at Saucy Jack that I have ever read. The tale is creatively told through two
diaries; the diary of “Jack” and the diary of a newspaper reporter who is
thrust into writing about the murders. Besides the obvious cast of characters:
Polly Nichols, Annie Chapman, Long Liz Stride, Katherine Eddowes, and of course
poor Mary Kelly, Hunter has created a surrounding group that complements the
primary players.
lot of books, both fiction and non-fiction, about Jack the Ripper. I have read
many of them. “I, Ripper” by Stephen Hunter is possibly the best fictional look
at Saucy Jack that I have ever read. The tale is creatively told through two
diaries; the diary of “Jack” and the diary of a newspaper reporter who is
thrust into writing about the murders. Besides the obvious cast of characters:
Polly Nichols, Annie Chapman, Long Liz Stride, Katherine Eddowes, and of course
poor Mary Kelly, Hunter has created a surrounding group that complements the
primary players.
Of course
the story is rife with bloody murder as well as the twisted sexuality one would
expect from the Ripper. Written in incredibly beautiful and accurate Victorian
English in all its varieties, the reader is transported through time and space to
1888 and the streets of Whitechapel. Following the steps of Red Jack as he
chooses, pursues, and savages his victims the tension grows thicker by the
word. As “Jeb”, the reporter’s nom de plume, investigates and writes of the
crimes, his fascination grows. Other characters, some seemingly insignificant,
are woven throughout, catching the reader’s attention and always raising the question,
is that Jack?
the story is rife with bloody murder as well as the twisted sexuality one would
expect from the Ripper. Written in incredibly beautiful and accurate Victorian
English in all its varieties, the reader is transported through time and space to
1888 and the streets of Whitechapel. Following the steps of Red Jack as he
chooses, pursues, and savages his victims the tension grows thicker by the
word. As “Jeb”, the reporter’s nom de plume, investigates and writes of the
crimes, his fascination grows. Other characters, some seemingly insignificant,
are woven throughout, catching the reader’s attention and always raising the question,
is that Jack?
With vibrant
descriptions of the streets of London, the political atmosphere of those days,
and the horrific living conditions of the poor versus the well-to-do, Hunter
has created a landscape ripe with realism. His blending of fact with some
believable fiction has provided a story any Ripperologist will enjoy as a tale
built on truth. There are a few surprises that left me with my jaw on the
floor. These shockers serve to make the story even more enticing.
descriptions of the streets of London, the political atmosphere of those days,
and the horrific living conditions of the poor versus the well-to-do, Hunter
has created a landscape ripe with realism. His blending of fact with some
believable fiction has provided a story any Ripperologist will enjoy as a tale
built on truth. There are a few surprises that left me with my jaw on the
floor. These shockers serve to make the story even more enticing.
I highly
recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a story thick with suspense and tension
and of course, gory murders.
recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a story thick with suspense and tension
and of course, gory murders.
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