Brilliant

A truly gripping story heart wrenchingly honest and written so beautifully and poetically that you want to stop listening regularly just to absorb the intensity and density of imagery within the writing. Some might describe it as grim and depressing, relieved only by the pepperings of dark Glaswegian humour, there were times when I felt this was the case but on reflection and having completed the book I understand the profound messages it conveys about our human state. I feel a better person for having read it.
The narration was perfect.

3 people found this helpful

Gloomy Scottish Introspection

Disappointing given McIllveneys high standards. This is a dull listen. Detective wanders around suburbia in gloomy fatalistic introspection not much happens

Excellently written and narrated

This audiobook was my introduction to the great William MacIllvanney. He takes description of a thought , person or scene beyond adjectives. Mark Bonnar was the perfect narrator and I wish he had been chosen to narrate all of his books.

Pacy and dark - expertly told by Mark Bonnar

An original telling of a familiar story. The hard but poetic darkness of Laidlaw perfectly complimented by Mark Bonnar’s narration. And no distracting voices and accents hooray!

Good story, experience could have been better.

Jack is undoubtedly v well meaning and one of ‘Jock Tamson’s bairns’, but even before the final revelation, perhaps somewhat over obsessed and self indulgent. The narration was fine but the enunciation was a little too English at times. No offence, just didn’t suit all the characters.

Excellent book and Narration

Mark Bonnar’s performance is top drawer!

Classic McIlvanney exploring the human condition. Sad that this is the last Laidlaw book!

The Least Good

So unrelentingly dark. It felt like a 8 hour conversation with the a morose drunk.

As, ever brilliantly narrated. I preferred the previous books, leavened with some Glasgow wit

Enjoyable end to the trilogy

The third part of the trilogy is a different fish, as Laidlaw investigates (unofficially) the death of his brother, which may or may not, have been suicide. Or were the usual cast of thugs and thieves responsible?

Typical McIlvanney

Laced with very descriptive and thought provoking language throughout all very philosophical in nature and with its roots in a hard working Scottish heritage. This was a tad morose and fairly slow to start but nonetheless engaging for that.