Beginning with a fascinating lecture on Jack the Ripper, Judith Flanders takes us deep into the murky world of Victorian crime during an utterly enthralling hour. The most interesting thing about much of what she says is how true it remains to this day: people’s gory fascination with crime; newspapers’ immoral methods of raising circulation; the speed at which a tragedy becomes a subject for comedy. Flanders is full of facts about the darker side of the nineteenth century, from thuggish fights to chilling murders, and the tales she spins are full of plot and intrigue. From Madeleine Smith, Glasgow poisoner, to Burke and Hare, she brings them all to life with
vibrancy and wit.
Peppers Theatre, 15 Aug, 6.45pm (7.45pm), £8.00 – £10.00, bfpp13
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Sections: by Ellie Blow - ED2011 Book Reviews | Tags: Edinburgh International Book Festival
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