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Title: Laidlaw
Author: William McIlvanney
Narrator: William McIlvanney
Format: Unabridged
Length: 7 hrs and 17 mins
Language: English
Release date: 05-02-13
Publisher: Canongate Books Ltd
Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 37 votes
Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective
Publisher's Summary:
Meet Jack Laidlaw, the original damaged detective.
When a young woman is found brutally murdered on Glasgow Green, only Laidlaw stands a chance of finding her murderer from among the hard men, gangland villains and self-made moneymen who lurk in the city's shadows.
Winner of the CWA Silver Dagger.
Critic Reviews:
"The best new character in crime fiction for years" (Daily Express)
Members Reviews:
forerunner of good noir
Would you consider the audio edition of Laidlaw to be better than the print version?
For me audio is always better than print.
What other book might you compare Laidlaw to and why?
Girl With The Dragon Tattoo--both are first in their respective parts of the country.
Which character as performed by William McIlvanney was your favorite?
Laidlaw
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
No, but it was a book I immediately listened to a second time.
Any additional comments?
I am desperate for the other two of this trilogy to be put on Audio....hopefully with the author reading them.
Such a pleasure to read a classic
I just discovered McIlvanney. I loved this book and am now on a mission to read more of Laidlaw series and other McIlvanney books. I wish more of them were on Audible. Meanwhile I'll get the book versions at my San Francisco public library where most of them are available.
Hard to Understand the Narration
I had to listen to each chapter multiple times as I found the thick Scottish diction / accent hard to understand. The author, William McIlvanney, narrated his book. I wish someone had told him the accent is fine, but more enunciation is required for the average listener. I love books with strong accents, but this one was too difficult for me no matter how hard I focused.
I like the character Laidlaw a great deal, but the story was mediocre. There is a twist or two, but you know who the murderer is early in the book. It is more of a story how multiple people looking for the same person come together in the end.
I will definitely try another McIlvanney book in the future, but may have to read it on my Kindle instead of listen on Audible.
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.
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 McIlvanneys 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.
