Psychopath Not Memorable Despite High Body Count: A Review of Aspects of a Psychopath, Alistair Langston
05/04/2004
By June Pulliam
Aspects of a Psychopath. Alistair Langston. Surrey, England: Telos, 2003. 112 p. $9.95.
In general, I have found Telos horror offerings to be well written and compelling, but Aspects of a Psychopath is a notable exception. Without rhyme or reason, a psychopath goes on a killing rampage in London, where sometimes his crimes make the news, and other times, the disappearance of his victims isnt noticed by anyone. Related in diary format, Aspects of a Psychopath bears an annoying resemblance to Brent Easton Ellis novel American Psycho. Both Langstons protagonist, Saul Roberts, and Ellis Patrick Bateman are among the more modern variety of maniac in that their crimes cant be explained as originating from something such as a bad childhood, a variable that it is, within theory anyway, possible to prevent so that future generations of disturbed young loners wont take their anger out on fellow human beings. Other similarities between Langstons and Ellis novels include the diary format, the crimes taking place in a large metropolitan area, where it is much easier for a killer to elude the prying eyes of the law, and the savagery with which each treats his prey.
Alas, Langstons psychos ultimate problem is that he possesses so few aspects. The wealthy Patrick Bateman is the spirit of New York City in the greedy 1980s, and his killings of those he perceives as less worthy of living than himself such as women and homeless people is a parody of the intolerance fostered by the Reagan era. Langstons killer, however, doesnt fit into any particular social context. Hes just a very angry young man who enjoys murdering annoying neighbors and random strangers and torturing and mutilating young women unfortunate enough to go home with him. Thus, when an element of mystery is introduced about a third of the way into the novella, it is difficult to care. At this point, Saul discovers that someone knows that he is behind the recent killings--mysterious notes appear on his door implying that the writer knows about his misdeeds and intends to make him pay for them. As the novel progresses, Sauls killing stalker engages in a separate killing spree, whose results can be linked to him. While I wont spoil the ending, I will say that it was fairly predictable.
One saving grace of Langstons novella is his writing style. Perhaps I have some latent Anglophilia instilled in me from graduate school, but I have always preferred British authors to American ones as they tend to be more subtle and have a better command of the language overall. But unfortunately, Aspects of a Psychos plot isnt terribly original or compelling.