Reviews

The Singing Detective by Dennis Potter

annawillread's review

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challenging dark funny mysterious reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

ianbanks's review

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5.0

I've been rereading this script for almost thirty years and I'm still digging new things out of it.

It's the story of Philip Marlow, failed novelist and psoriasis sufferer who is in hospital with his latest bout with the disease and how he spends his time reconciling his past life with what he is at the moment. He's not a particularly likeable character but he is compelling and, as his inner life and history collide in the present day, he does know how to mix his genres effortlessly.

This is still regarded as a high water mark in Dennis Potter's career and rightly so. It's a brilliant story beautifully told.
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