Customer Reviews

Compulsion (Tr)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I enjoyed Meyer Levin's sentimental and fictional account of the 1924 Leopold-Loeb murder of Bobby Franks as a fascinating study of abnormal psychology and the judiciary. A former classmate of the killers at the University of Chicago, the author's sympathetic treatment of likely psychopath Leopold ("Judd") may have aided the latter's parole in 1958 (Loeb was killed in prison). Nevertheless, Leopold sued the author over this book. Compulsion is a great novel, but for a starkly realistic view of this brutal crime readers should consult Hal Higdon's superb non-fictional account, Leopold and Loeb: Crime of the Century.

This book is a novelization of the infamous Loeb & Leopold murder case of 1924. The murder was considered at the time to be the crime of the century (like O.J. Simpson was to us). Why would a pair of rich young geniuses kill a randomly selected child? This is a fascinating psychological study of evil. Levin knew the perpetrators personally, so he was in a strong position to tell this story. And he has a brilliant writer's ability to get inside the head of a human being who has lost his way, morally speaking. The book is old and the story is old, but the tale remains relevant and powerful.

Factoid #1: It was made into a movie, "Compulsion", with Orson Welles. The murder also inspired a play and a Hitchcock movie based upon that play (which pre-date this book), "Rope". And yet a third movie (which I didn't "get"): "Swoon".

Factoid #2: Levin opens the book with this line: "Nothing ever ends, and if we retrace every link in causation, it seems there is nowhere a beginning." That's a succinct, intriguing observation, isn't it?

Factoid #3: This book was written in 1956, long after the crime and trial. Levin decided to tell the tale at that point because Leopold, still in prison, was being considered for parole, and it seemed appropriate for the case to be revisited.

Meyer Levin's sentimental fictional account of the 1924 Leopold-Loeb murder of Bobby Franks is a fascinating study of abnormal psychology. A former classmate of the killers at the University of Chicago, the author's sympathetic treatment of Leopold ("Judd") may have aided that probable-psychopath's parole in 1958 (Loeb was killed in prison in 1936). Nevertheless, Leopold sued the author over this book. Compulsion is a great novel, but readers wanting a more realistic view of this brutal crime should consult Hal Higdon's superb and starkly non-fiction account, Trial of the Century.

Meyer Levin was a news reporter during the Leopold and Loeb case. He had sailed to Europe before the hearing began, and thus missed out on the opportunity to cover one of the most sensational crimes of the 20th Century. Years later, Levin secured a contract to write a book based on the Leopold/Loeb crime. Levin met with Leopold in prison and they spoke of collaborating on a story. But Leopold did not want to retel the story of his crime. He wanted to concentrate on his life after the crime. Thus no collaboration ever came about.
Levin created his book, focusing on his own psychological intepretation for the crime. He researched for his novel heavily, and uses large chunks of the testimony, as well as letters Nathan wrote Dick, and the ransom note, word for word. However, Compulsion is a work of fiction. Despite the claimes from other reviewers here that Compulsion is a love letter to the killers, Nathan Laopold found the novel revolting. Later, after his parols, he would sue Meyer Levin.
Any student of the Leopold Loeb case should by all means read compulsion. However, keep in mind that it is a work of fiction and should not be the be all and end all of research. There are blazing inacuracies, and the entire thing is captured through one man's opinion- Levin's. Others have differing views and perhaps after further study, so will you.

Wow! This was a very well written book, gradually showing us more and more of the criminals' minds and providing insights into why they committed their crime. It also gave me a lot to think about---from individual responsibility, to the purpose of punishment.

loved the book! reminded me of J.D. Salingers style in Franny and Zoey. It's a fictional story of the Leopold and Loeb case. Read it!

Read this book while siting in a dark room with one light on, and you will experience ploting the "The Crime of The Century". From picking the victim, collecting the ransom, the fear of capture ,trying to outsmart the D.A. and finally confessing.

A must-read for anyone fascinated by the bizarre facts surrounding the Leopold-Loeb murder case. The case is especially interesting in light of its timing (right before the rise of Hitler and WWII.) The case foreshadows Hitler's promise of the "master race" through the boys' fascination with Nietzche's theory of the Superman. The story is even more twisted as both the protagonists and the victim are Jewish! While the book also emphasizes the homosexual attraction between the two young men (a fact only darkly hinted at in Hitchcock's masterful film, "Rope"), the real key to their relationship appears to be a shared belief that they are both (for different reasons) above the moral and intellectual concerns of the average person. Pretty odd, especially considering that for two smart guys, they made some pretty stupid mistakes. Levin strongly hints that they were, in fact, looking to get caught because they wanted to be punished (in the case of Loeb) and they wanted to have a public forum from which to espouse their views (Leopold). OJ ain't got nothin' on these two!

This compelling fictional account of the 1924 Leopold and Loeb murder of Bobby Franks makes an excellent read. Author Meyer Levin (1905-1981) was a former classmate of the two killers, and he wrote this readable account some three decades after the crime occurred. Renaming the killers "Judd" and "Artie," the author shows how these brilliant young collegians murdered a 14-year neighbor for thrills, and to validate their warped sense of superiority as inspired by philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. Readers learn of the killers' pseudo-homosexual relationship, and get a detailed look at the OJ Simpson-like media trial in which famed attorney Clarence Darrow ("Jonathan Wilk") fought to save his arrogant clients from the gallows. Readers also get a strong look at abnormal psychology, plus a plausible added motive for the crime.

Many suspect the author's too-sympathetic treatment of Leopold ("Judd") aided the latter's questionable 1958 parole - still, the paroled murderer sued the author over this book (but didn't win). COMPULSION is a moving novel, but you'll get a starkly realistic look from Hal Higdon's LEOPOLD AND LOEB: THE CRIME OF THE CENTURY.

When I first read this book, I was immediately struck with the thought that senseless murders are nothing new. Meyer Levin has put into words what people are still asking today. Why do these things happen? He is a brilliant author and the book must be read to appreciate it's brilliance. As in the book "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote, I could not put it down. A "must read" for those who are mystified by the genius of beautifully written books and in my opinion, Meyer Levin's book "Compulsion" fits that description.