Pity Him Afterwards [Paperback]

Donald Westlake (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 17, 1996

Hiding in the darkness of the trees, he was waiting for the state police car to move on, but it would not. Red lights filled the road below, flashlights began to search the woods around him. But he would not go back to Doctor Chax. He could take no more shocks. No more dying, day after day, and coming to life in pain. Whatever it takes, he will be free.

Product Details

• Paperback: 185 pages
• Publisher: Carroll & Graf (October 17, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786703962
• ISBN-13: 978-0786703968
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,445,239 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not a Comic Caper but This 1965 Story Was Never Intended to Be Either, July 23, 2008

By 

James N Simpson (Gold Coast, QLD Australia) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Pity Him Afterwards (Paperback)

There really isn't much information out there on some of Donald E Westlake's earlier novels so it is understandable that Pity Him Afterwards may have been bought by some with the misconception that it is another humorous comic caper. I guess the disappointment for those only after laughs and not understanding Westlake writes over a variety of genres (comedy crime, serious thriller crime, science fiction, he even wrote a Western) will be magnified by the fact that along with his comic capers and his other earlier work this novel is actually quite expensive.

Pity Him Afterwards was actually written before Westlake even published a comic caper, which incidentally was (Fugitive Pigeon published later in the same year (1965) this book was. Pity Him Afterwards (and I'm not claiming it's his best book by any means or even anywhere up there with his masterpieces) is a classic fugitive on the run, policeman determined to stop a killer adventure. Not working in this book's readability factor either, is the fact that Westlake has substantially long periods of text before he takes a break and gives the reader a break with a chapter.

Pity Him Afterwards follows brutal murderer Robert Ellington who has just escaped from a mental asylum that authorities previously believed to be inescapable. Robert or the madman as he is more often referred, has a gift for mimicry and can easily take on the persona of others around him, even believing for short periods of time that he is that person. He is also extremely paranoid and also determined to give those who wish to harm or mock him their comeuppance which unfortunately results in an ever increasing body count. The madman sees a solution to evading his pursuers in a small town theatre where even though he hadn't planned to, he unfortunately kills again. The madman however likes his temporary home and has no intention of moving on. Small town police officer Sondgrad has no idea the madman is in his district but is determined to solve the murder without bringing in the state police. Can the madman stay undetected? Can he stay without killing again? The reason for the title of this book, is that the doctor in the mental asylum as well as the police officers, and others, often tell those they are talking to that they feel pity for the madman.

Forensic tactics and the evidence collecting has changed a lot from 1965 so this story would not work today but it does work for a book set back then.

If you haven't already done so also check out Westlake's comic capers. The best three at an absolute masterpiece level are, Smoke, The Spy in the Ointment and a New York Dance (also published as Dancing Aztecs). Other comic capers also worth checking out are The Fugitive Pigeon, The Busy Body, God Save the Mark, Who Stole Sassi Manoon?, Help I am Being Held Prisoner, Castle in the Air, Enough, Up Your Banners and High Adventure.

Of course you've also got to read the Dortmunder series and the Parker series (written under the pen name Richard Stark) as well.

If you do nothing else thought, you've also got to read his greatest stand alone story novel of all time The Ax the ultimate solution to unemployment. Check out a Westlake novel today!

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Something Different from Donald...But still good, April 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Pity Him Afterwards (Paperback)

Westlake is a great comic dectective author. In Pity Him Afterward he takes a different turn and gives us a picture of a psychopathic maniac turned loose. The book was fast paced and interesting. The plot had some interesting twists and the ending was surprising.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Another homicidal psychopath! Somebody tell Donald, puleeze, February 25, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Pity Him Afterwards (Paperback)

A story nobody needed. Mr. Westlake has a rare talent that he manages to hide completely in this production. Dull and dreary. I finished "Trust Me...", fun from c to c, picked up "Pity.." and decided to pity myself instead for being so desperate as to read it. Don't do this to us DW! Leave the psychos to Connelly. You don't need them. Be honest - was it just the money that made you do it? Or were you following the light of your muse? I certainly hope that it was the money. Really