Reason Why, The : An Anthology of the Murderous Mind

Rating:
Summary: Compilation of Murderous Thoughts
Review: Rendell's book brings together some of the most famous writings which delve into the murderer's mind -- whether it's murder for gain, murder for revenge or murder for murder's sake. Psychological processes are by definition complicated and multi-faceted, more so in what is required mentally in the act of taking another's life. It is a good reference for readers who wanna know more about what drives people to commit the ultimate sin. They should keep in mind though, that the majority of extracts are fiction, but many are so well written and expressed that it almost becomes reality for the reader. Especially memorable was the entry on a husband's murdering of the postman for being "guilty" of bringing love letters from her wife's lover, and 2 exerpts about people who kill out of loneliness and for companionship. At the back of that is the need to arrest the moment, to stop time from moving. At times chilling, but more oftentimes tragic and poignant, it makes one think of life, and how one values it, or not at all. Life might be the sacred spring for most, but is definitely dispensable and callously treated by others. Only gripe I have about the book is that Rendell doesn't explain enough about the texts selected. Other than putting in sporadic commentaries, there isn't much background about the play or novel where she gets the extracts from. Some exerpts really left me scratching my head, wondering what the characters were going on about. That is a big minus, and a tad sloppy. Other that, worth a read, for some really moving passages, and for referral to the texts mentioned.