Magic!

I loved this gritty novel - read by the author himself which added to the atmosphere even his endearing little mistakes do not detract from the story.
I'd love to know when the rest of the Laidlaw books will be available on Audible as I'm eagerly awaiting them.

19 people found this helpful

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.

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.

11 people found this helpful

Laidlaw is AMAZING

Would you listen to Laidlaw again? Why?

Would Listen again, it flowed like poetry in parts & gritty in others, Laidlaw is a cross between Taggart & Gene Hunt,

What did you like best about this story?

EVERYTHING! loved Laidlaw & would like to see it on the T.V or Big Screen

What does William McIlvanney bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

His voice is hypnotic, its his timbre & rhythm of reading not forgetting his accent that can only do the words justice

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

Where Laidlaw reads to his children & then again when he puts his son back to bed, shows a softer side to the character

6 people found this helpful

Beautifully Read, utterly satisfying, more please?

This is read beautifully by the author with an accent as melodic as the prose are lyrical. A story to rival any of the best sellers, with a character to rival Rebus.

This is one of the most satisfying reads in my entire Audible membership (2007). I recommend it to fans of crime fiction and those who want to listen to the best fireside voice on the site.

I can't praise this highly enough, and the length of just over seven hours is a comfortable and manageable one.

Download now, not to be missed.

4 people found this helpful

gave up boring narrator!

Oh dear story has potential even if set in 1977. But oh dear the narrator sounded like he was struggling with false teeth. Monotone and boring.

3 people found this helpful

Excellent listen

I got this book on a 2 for 1 deal (cheapskate!)
I was a little concerned by a review that was critical of the author narrating. However, Mr Mcilavanney’s narration really enhanced my listening experience. It was like a really good storyteller telling a story of a city and people that he fully understood and empathised with.
I could go on, however, suffice is to say it is a cracking story brought to life by a proper Scot!

3 people found this helpful

I really like this book, well written...

...full of characters who demand your respect in a city that exudes edginess.

However, narrating it yourself isn't the best move. It's read like a diatribe, just one loooonnnngggg sentence. I've had to go back a few times and rewind - a pause, a breath, maybe a slightly different voice, some punctuation would really help. I guess that's why there's so many professional narrators.

The story's great though, so worth persevering...

6 people found this helpful

A well written and skillful story

I enjoyed the story especially as I am an ex-patriot Scot, McIvanney's use of vernacular West Coast terms made this real and interesting. He made the investigative team real and deep. HE avoided the stereotype of writing off the police as stupid, crass on violent.

2 people found this helpful

Delightfully fearsome story

Great story but made better by cynicism and self examination of police in old Glasgow. Wonderful narration too. It puts later crime story telling in the shade.

1 person found this helpful