The Alienist

The Alienist

Infobox Book |
name = The Alienist


image_caption = 1st ed cover
author = Caleb Carr
country = United States
language = English
cover_artist =
series =
genre = Historical novel & Crime novel
publisher = Random House
release_date = 15 March 1994
media_type = Print (Hardcover & Paperback) & Audio Book (Cassette)
pages = 496 pp (hardcover edition) & 599 pp (paperback edition)
isbn = ISBN 0-679-41779-6 (hardcover edition) & ISBN 0-553-57299-7 (paperback edition)
preceded_by =
followed_by = The Angel of Darkness

"The Alienist" is a crime novel by Caleb Carr first published in 1994. It takes place in New York City in 1896, and includes appearances by many famous figures of New York society in that era, including Theodore Roosevelt and J. P. Morgan.

"The Alienist" was inspired by the works of Wilkie Collins. Fact|date=January 2008

The sequel to the novel is "The Angel of Darkness"

Plot summary

It centers on the alienist Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, of mixed Hungarian-German origin, and his companions who attempt to solve a case of serial murder of young boy prostitutes in 1896 New York City, using fingerprinting, pathology and a sort of pre-profiling - all advanced methods for that time.

This novel is told in the first person by a "Times" writer named John Moore.

Major themes

One of the major ongoing themes throughout the book is a discussion on the nature of evil, as well as what is, and isn't, insanity. Interestingly, the argument put forth by the titular alienist, Doctor Kreizler, is that the serial killer being hunted is not, in fact, insane. Rather that he's responding in a very sane way to impulses he is unable to control.

Other themes include the differences between rich and poor (especially the extremes between J. P. Morgan and the recently arrived immigrants in New York City), the efforts of Roosevelt to modernize the NYPD, the distrust of psychology, and a sort of 19th century culture war, being fought by those who feel the killer must be stopped, and those who feel that, since his targets are young boy prostitutes, he should be allowed to do as he pleases, as a warning to others not to get involved in the lifestyle.

Historical figures in the novel

* Theodore Roosevelt
* J. P. Morgan
* Jacob Riis
* Lincoln Steffens
* Monk Eastman
* Anthony Comstock
* Thomas Byrnes
* Archbishop Michael Corrigan
* Charles Parkhurst
* James T. Ellison
* Paul Kelly
* Jesse Pomeroy
* Franz Boas
* Clark Wissler
* William James
* William L. Strong
* Charlie Delmonico
* Herbert Spencer
* William Randolph Hearst
* H.H. Holmes

External links

* [http://www.17thstreet.net 17th Street] Comprehensive site dedicated to "The Alienist" and "The Angel of Darkness"


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  • Alienist — The term alienist was heading for obsolescence until it was returned to a position of some prominence by the 1994 book The Alienist by the historian/novelist Caleb Carr. The story of The Alienist starts In New York City in March 1896 when… …   Medical dictionary

  • The Angel of Darkness — Infobox Book | name = The Angel of Darkness title orig = translator = image caption = First edition cover author = Caleb Carr cover artist = country = United States language = English series = subject = genre = Crime novel publisher = Random… …   Wikipedia

  • Alienist — Al ien*ist, n. [F. ali[ e]niste.] One who treats diseases of the mind. Ed. Rev. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • alienist — alien·ist / ā lē ə nist, āl yə / n: a psychiatrist who specializes in the legal aspects of psychiatry (as determining sanity or capacity to stand trial) Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam Webster. 1996 …   Law dictionary

  • alienist — (n.) one who treats mental illness, mad doctor, 1864, from Fr. aliéniste, from alienation in the sense of insanity, loss of mental faculty, a sense attested in English from late 15c. (see ALIENATE (Cf. alienate)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • alienist — A doctor of medicine who has made mental diseases, those affecting the mind intellectually, and the moral or spiritual faculties, his special study and practice. State v Reidell, 14 Del (9 Houst) 470, 474, 14 A 550. A doctor of medicine qualified …   Ballentine's law dictionary

  • alienist — /ayl yeuh nist, ay lee euh /, n. 1. (formerly) a doctor specializing in the treatment of mental illness. 2. an expert witness in a sanity trial. [1860 65; ALIEN(ATION) + IST; cf. F aliéniste in same sense] * * * …   Universalium

  • alienist — al•ien•ist [[t]ˌeɪl yə nɪst, ˌeɪ li ə [/t]] n. 1) psi (formerly) a physician specializing in the treatment of mental illness; psychiatrist 2) law an expert witness in a sanity trial • Etymology: 1860–65; alien ( ation) + ist; cf. F aliéniste …   From formal English to slang

  • alienist — /eyKityanist/ A seldom used term meaning one who has specialized in the study of mental diseases. Persons qualified by experience, knowledge, and previous opportunities to express opinion as to defendant s mental condition at a particular time.… …   Black's law dictionary

  • alienist — /eyKityanist/ A seldom used term meaning one who has specialized in the study of mental diseases. Persons qualified by experience, knowledge, and previous opportunities to express opinion as to defendant s mental condition at a particular time.… …   Black's law dictionary

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