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orangerful's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not a huge "True Crime" reader but Geary's Victorian Murder series of non-fiction graphic novels always suck me in. This one focuses on Jack the Ripper. Geary uses the primary source of a diary of a gentlemen living during the murders to tell the story. Fascinating way to learn about this horrific bit of history.
ainiali's review
3.0
3.5 ⭐
I've always been fascinated with Jack the Ripper and reading the case in graphic novel form is kind of new. The illustrations fit perfectly with the vibe of the case that already dark and make it even eerier.
jeffhall's review against another edition
4.0
The history of Jack the Ripper has long tentacles that reach throughout English-language culture, and Rick Geary's "just the facts" approach works very well in graphic novel format, as it allows him to capture something of the character of daily life in Whitechapel at the time these events occurred. Geary's retelling includes no new information regarding these well-known crimes, but his boldly distinct visual style perfectly captures the world of poverty and neglect that allowed these events to happen in the first place. He doesn't shy away from depicting the constricted roles allowed to women in Victorian England, and how those constraints drove so many into alcoholism and prostitution, making them ready targets for any number of criminal assailants.
jaborch's review against another edition
3.0
Of all Rick Geary's books, Lizzie Borden's tale remains my favorite. This is a detailed, chronological look at the Jack the Ripper killings and a good introduction for anyone not versed in this very cold case. For me however, it just wets my appetite to reread Patricia Cornwell's expose [b:Portrait Of A Killer: Jack The Ripper -- Case Closed|6538|Portrait Of A Killer Jack The Ripper -- Case Closed|Patricia Cornwell|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1347777185s/6538.jpg|1100254].
I wish Geary had been a little more thorough in his exploration of the suspects, but what can you do when all your leads died a hundred years ago. This is one of the great mysteries that makes me wish I'll live to see the day time-travel is discovered and somebody goes back to 1888 to find out what was up in Whitechapel.
I wish Geary had been a little more thorough in his exploration of the suspects, but what can you do when all your leads died a hundred years ago. This is one of the great mysteries that makes me wish I'll live to see the day time-travel is discovered and somebody goes back to 1888 to find out what was up in Whitechapel.
laurabb's review against another edition
4.0
Another great entry in the series, this time based on the contemporary journals of an unknown man.
sarahbowman101's review against another edition
3.0
I wish this was more of a story and less a presentation of facts surrounding the Jack the Ripper case. The journalistic tone might appeal for some, but there isn't very much flow and no characters to identify with.
On the plus side the art is amazing and I really love the line drawings and evocation of the dark alleys of Whitechapel.
On the plus side the art is amazing and I really love the line drawings and evocation of the dark alleys of Whitechapel.
samanthawattam's review
4.0
I don't read a lot of graphic novels but am taking part in a reading challenge and reading a graphic novel is on the list. I've always had a fascination with Jack the Ripper and historical crime in particular. I thought this was very good, short at 64 pages but packs a lot in. I think it is very tastefully done in wonderfully detailed black and white illustrations (instead of taking the gory colour option) it didn't feel exploitative at all. I loved the faces of the people and the illustrations capture not only the story of Jack the Ripper and his victims but also the heart of London and the day to day lives of those who lived there their lifestyles, professions and hardships.
I think if you like to take an interest in Jack the Ripper but are not an aficionado there were many things I didn't know that are included and a surprising amount of detail. It is a nice addition to the Jack the Ripper books available and a different take on the normal books who claim to have exposed the killer this doesn't do that this is just the facts.
I think if you like to take an interest in Jack the Ripper but are not an aficionado there were many things I didn't know that are included and a surprising amount of detail. It is a nice addition to the Jack the Ripper books available and a different take on the normal books who claim to have exposed the killer this doesn't do that this is just the facts.
avoraciousreader68's review
4.0
*Book source ~ Library
From Goodreads:
Rick has researched this book extensively and presents, with his own inimitable tongue-in-cheek style, the jack The Ripper mystery as told through a journal of a fascinated Englishman of the day. Both factual and darkly funny, Geary's personal take on this story shines an ironic light on the repressive society that spawned such a monster. TOP TEN QUICK PICKS '96 American Library Association (YALSA)
Having never read any books about Jack the Ripper, I feel this graphic novel is a good starting point. It certainly whets the appetite to learn more details about what went down than the bare facts depicted here. Supposedly this is from an interested Englishman’s journals kept during the time of the attacks and I can say, this armchair detective uses a lot of !!!. The illustrations are quite detailed and I enjoyed them even if they are done in black and white. My 16-yr-old saw the book on my desk and was interested until he leafed through it and said, “Nope. There’s no color.” I said, “But it’s really good!” He said, “No.” So I said, “But it’s an historical book! They didn’t have color back then.” I got a “look”. You know the one, it says, “Really, mom? Just…really?” Well, I tried. lol Any fan of Jack the Ripper should pick this up. I think it would be a great addition to any collection.
From Goodreads:
Rick has researched this book extensively and presents, with his own inimitable tongue-in-cheek style, the jack The Ripper mystery as told through a journal of a fascinated Englishman of the day. Both factual and darkly funny, Geary's personal take on this story shines an ironic light on the repressive society that spawned such a monster. TOP TEN QUICK PICKS '96 American Library Association (YALSA)
Having never read any books about Jack the Ripper, I feel this graphic novel is a good starting point. It certainly whets the appetite to learn more details about what went down than the bare facts depicted here. Supposedly this is from an interested Englishman’s journals kept during the time of the attacks and I can say, this armchair detective uses a lot of !!!. The illustrations are quite detailed and I enjoyed them even if they are done in black and white. My 16-yr-old saw the book on my desk and was interested until he leafed through it and said, “Nope. There’s no color.” I said, “But it’s really good!” He said, “No.” So I said, “But it’s an historical book! They didn’t have color back then.” I got a “look”. You know the one, it says, “Really, mom? Just…really?” Well, I tried. lol Any fan of Jack the Ripper should pick this up. I think it would be a great addition to any collection.
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