Never the Sinner [Paperback]

John Logan (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0879519304 | ISBN-13: 978-0879519308 | Publication Date: February 1, 1999

Two boys commit a murder - not for gain, or out of passion - just to do it, just to experience the thrill. Based on the infamous 1924 trial of Leopold and Loeb, Never the Sinner is their story, and the story of one of the most famous American lawyers and civil libertarians, Clarence Darrow. In the case of a liftime, Darrow is called in to defend the monstrous and win freedom for the depraved. A L.A. Theatre Works full-cast performance featuring: Thomas Carroll, David Darlow, William Larson, Ron Livingston, Darren Matthias, Tom Mula, Denis P. O'Hare and Donna Powers.

--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Overlook TP (February 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879519304
• ISBN-13: 978-0879519308
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,084,612 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing cinematic depth - "Reads" like a great movie!!, November 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Never the Sinner (Paperback)

When it comes to Leopold and Loeb, John Logan is the best story-teller. His use of a time manipulation and powerful language makes this play as full of suspense as one can. I have visited Chicago and "haunted" the sites mentioned in this book and, after talking to people about this true story and completing the research I intended to, I came to the realization that this book WAS as much an obsession with Mr. Logan as it is with me now. He portrays the brutal truth along side the unfortunate morals and ideals these two young murderers were plagued with. Clarence Darrow, in his closing summations for the defense of these boys, stated, "I may very well hate the sin in all the world, but never the sinner." I think, as John Logan certainly did, that this statement characterizes the time and mood (as does this book) of the early 1920s and the Leopold and Loeb - Crime of the Century.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Never, but Always, March 31, 2001

By 

James Hiller (Beaverton, OR) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Never the Sinner (Paperback)

In John Logan's moving yet horrifying "Never the Sinner" we meet two infamous killers, and the mystic, mythic figure that chose to defend these two.

Set in the 1920s, Logan spins the story of Leopold and Loeb, two rich, handsome teenagers that, due to the mixing of their personalities and dangerous philosophies (Nietzche gone bad) decide to kill someone for the experience of it. After this henious act, Clarence Darrow rides in, not to wipe the guilt from their souls, but merely defend them from going to the gallows.

There are several moving aspects to this play which Logan has brilliantly captured in small scenes. The courtship and love between Leopold and Loeb is explored fully. Some ficiton and non-fiction written about these two shy away from the possible homosexual connection, but not Logan. Their actions are horrendous, their self-centered thinking abhorrant, but the relationship between the two powers this play and is intriguing. You want the union of these two not to result in murder, but in love.

The other passionate part of the play comes with the introduction of Clarence Darrow in the second act. He rides in and becomes a fierce adversary of the death penalty, and brilliant argues against the ultimate punishment. However, his courtroom bravado is tempered by scenes with the boys, when he tries desparately to understand the actions of these two. And due to his efforts, Leopold and Loeb begin to struggle with the consequences of their actions, and become more human (which, upon my understanding of the actual story, never really happened).

John Logan has given us a play that reads very well, is very passionate and compelling, and a true classic of theater today.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A stunning stage piece, November 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Never the Sinner (Paperback)

John Logan contructs a masterful picture of the times and people involved in the first "crime of the century." This is a dazzling piece of work that could only exist on the stage. Suspenseful, involing, emotive, compassionate and above all amazingly theatrical, this work stands not only as a terrific documentary play of an important time, but as an engrossing example of how powerful a medium the theatre can be.