Gilded Needles (Valancourt 20th Century Classics)

I read Gilded Needles in a single weekend and was completely fascinated with it - I adored it! Here we have the Black Triangle, a meeting of poor neighborhoods in Victorian-era NYC, at war with the wealthy, educated local aristocracy of the affluent upper crest. There are two families at the center of this war: the Stallworths, of the well-positioned elite, and the Shanks, a criminal family of the Black Triangle. I would count this book as a horror novel, although it's not supernatural like some of McDowell's other works (Elementals, Cold Moon Over Babylon). The horror in this book is somewhat Dickensian, with the plight of poverty examined in morose details of disease, dark alleys, vermin, desperation, and crimes and death that will haunt you. However, no Dickens work I ever read contained this kind of horrific detail. Despite there being no supernatural element, there was something very haunting and atmospheric about this book that FELT supernatural. It's a dreamy piece, also sharply rooted in dismal reality. Juxtaposed to the dark alleys of the Black Triangle is the affluent upper crest. Their world is rooted in society, showmanship, smart connections, and being known as ethicists. The Stallworths are obsessed with their image, as politicians, as a judge, a lawyer, a preacher, a lady of genteel society clubs, and perfectly-poised children among their lot. However, like many families, theirs has a dark underbelly, where weak moral fiber hides behind their guise of perfection. In a balanced society, both families can co-exist, with one ignoring the other. But when the Stallworths target the Shanks, the two families will come together in an epic, complicated game of cat and mouse. I highly recommend this read if you love dark, Victorian-era reads; realism horror; and tales of revenge. Be warned, this is not a light story, but the kind that will haunt you long after you finish. The characters in this book really come to life, and I was attached to members of both families. It was a touching, emotional read, with witty commentary and relief in the form of a community gossip and newspaper reports.

Starts slow, but once the story picks up pace, it is a good read. Delayed revenge, such a good plot.

I've really come to enjoy the offbeat Gothic sensibility of Michael McDowell, who always delivers novels that don't really feel like anything else out there. Gilded Needles is no exception - it's a historical fiction set in 1882 New York City, where a political dynasty decides that, for their own gain, it's time to make a move against an entrenched family of fences and criminals. McDowell spends equal times on both sides of the law, and while it's clear that his sympathies are slightly more with our criminals than the self-righteous pols and social pillars, he humanizes both sides wonderfully, helping us see the series of entirely understandable choices that lead to a violent tragedy - a tragedy that sets up a ghoulish, Grand Guignol plot of revenge that goes to some wild places. McDowell knows how to write his characters flawlessly, but the historical touches here go such a long way to making the book all the more memorable - even before he pulls back the curtain on the vicious plot of payback. Another great read from an underrated and fascinating author.

Every time. I really enjoy his books. The moral of this is to never, ever underestimate a woman. Any of us, just don't.

Interesting version of a revenge tale that will keep you amused and entertained. Great characters and plot line. If you like early NY history this is also a bonus and you will identify with the history of the streets of NYC.

An upper class family, the Stallworths', neighborhood borders a lower class slum, where the Shanks family pursue their criminal enterprises. Each Stallworth uses or exploits the people of the slum to their own purposes, resulting in a scrumptious story of revenge. The feel of the novel is reminiscent of the socially conscious novels that predated the cold war - without the preachy part - describing the lives of upper, lower, and criminal class folks without sentimentality. Each character is a full individual, making choices of his own will, feeding his own motivations, informed by his own background, culture and circumstances. The women characters are every bit as real and completely human as the men - women readers need not fear encountering the cringeworthy selfless mothers/wives/prostitutes that mar so many thrillers. The fascination and compelling drive of the narrative comes from vivid description and great plotting. The ending will not disappoint. Highly recommended.

This is probably what it would look like if Dickens had written a horror/mystery/revenge thriller. It is set in Victorian era New York, with two families at war with one another. One family is high society, the other is composed of different criminal elements, and their clash and subsequent revenge is very well written. It is a good book, my only complaint is that it was a little bit slow at times.

Cheio de reviravoltas...bem escrito, prende do começo ao fim.

Love his books. Cold Moon Over Babylon, Katie so sad that he is dead.

Great book, couldn’t put it down.

Una storia noir disturbante e perfetta sia nella narrazione che nell'atmosfera, nei suoi sviluppi drammatici e terribili. Un capolavoro della narrativa horror.