A great book by a Soho face, 05 Mar 2008
This is a stunning novel that is hard to put down, such is the
power of the writing style and the warped attractiveness of the main
character, cockney wide boy Harry Fabian. Harry is an amoral spiv fixed on a slippery slope towards prison or, worse, a meeting with the cut-throat razor of the notorious Black Strangler, a disgruntled sap prowling the pubs and clip joints of 1930s Soho. While Fabian is the conman that drives the story, it is the London described by Kersh and the myriad personalities he has created that elevates the novel.

Gerald Kersh was a Soho face himself and his knowledge of the area and its
people means this book is the real deal, not just another observation by an
anthropologist looking in through the window of a dodgy pub he's too scared to enter. Kersh knew the score, and while he probably wouldn't rate Harry as much of a human being, he lets him condemn himself with his treatment of
those who help him, and worst of all, of his faithful streetwalking
girlfriend.

This is a well produced edition and comes with an introduction by John King, author of The Football Factory, who apparently discovered Kersh while walking home drunk through Soho and falling into a remainder bookshop. Kersh would have liked that chance meeting and you will love this book if you choose to read it.

Mood music, 15 Jul 2001
This has that subtle English quality, that mixture of fascination, tolerance and genuine social conscience which marks the 'low-life' writer of the 30s and 40s in both the UK and US. But the UK brand is a bit grittier, bit less shocked by real life and there's a liking for these margin-dwellers which informs even the sleaziest characters. Addictive stuff. That Kersh could write comedy better thn anyone is evident from Fowlers End. I'd like to see some of his wonderful horror stories reprinted, too.

Great sense of place and time-1930's London low life., 16 Feb 2000
Kersh dramatically contrasts the grasping, ruthless pimp, Harry Fabian with the altruistic artist, Adam. Their women, Zoe the prostitute and Helen, the idealist who,at first, seem worlds apart end up sharing the same greedy lust for money at any price. A cynical, superbly wriiten book with tension in every line that will have you gasping as you recognise its truthfulness. Kersh wrote many novels set during the 30's, 40's and 50's. Read this one and you will be wanting more.