Customer Reviews

The Long Firm

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Things were swinging in London in the 60s. This is the story of Harry Starks, a gangster who is also gay.

The story is told as five characters narrate their experiences with Harry.

Terry is the first person to narrate his experiences. He meets Harry and is won over by Harry's assertiveness and generosity. Soon after meeting, Harry asks Terry to move in with him as his lover.

When Terry tires of this, Harry sets him up to run an electronics firm. One day, Harry removes a number of TVs without recording any payment. Terry learns that this is part of "the long firm."
This is where the gangsters obtain the identity of a deceased person, get the necessary identification of that person then create various documents, register the business, build up credit, then build up an inventory but delay payment. After that, they withdraw the money, have a fire sale and disappear. The business is registered to a deceased person so the gang gets away with it.

Another of Harry's traits is his strong sense of loyalty but when crossed, he can be cruel. Terry gets a first hand experience with this when he tries to hold back some money from one of Harry's schemes.

The story continues as Harry wins favor of a member of parliament and uses him to further his cons.

The story is a light hearted romp throught the British mob scene. Harry is a chameleon; he's generous but dangerous when crossed; most of the time he's in good spirits but when someone tries to take advantage of him, he can be as deadly as a poisonous snake.

The Long Firm, follows the criminal career and glamorous life of Harry Starks, a sixties London gay gangster. It is narrated, not in chronological order, by a series of his acquaintances including a rent boy, a Lord and a famous singer. We follow his exploits and illegal activities, and dealings with other criminals, along with the corruption and cover ups amongst the supposedly more respectable members of the community. It is very much of its time, and includes the presence of the Kray Twins and other notables of the period.
Not all the narrators are appealing. Terry, the boy that Harry takes as his live in companion does engender sympathy, Lord Thursby is a less desirable individual, yet criminal Jack the Hat is a quite likeable character despite his inclinations. One cannot help but feel for Harry himself, even if he is quite ready and capable of dealing out the violence and torture. He enjoys the company of young boys, he repays loyalty generously, and disloyalty, or even the suspicion of it, accordingly. He suffers bouts of serious depression, and the wise among his associates then tread carefully, for these periods can be accompanied by expressions of violence. But despite it all Harry comes across as having a heart.
It is an interesting story, and at times quite captivating as the drama builds, but I found at other times it lost momentum.