Half Moon Street: Two Short Novels

By Paul Theroux

Book Overview

"Two short novels: Doctor Slaughter, and Doctor DeMarr, both about living a double life" This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0395365112
• ISBN13: 9780395365113
• Release Date: January 1984
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
• Length: 219 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 1.0" x 1.0"

Customer Reviews

Two Novellas, Both Skirting the Seamy Side of Life

These are two bizarre, well-crafted novellas. Both were great! The stories are about the seamy side of life and juxtapose two realities: the apparent, outside facade with the inner sanctum of fantasy and sexual chaos. The first novella, 'Half Moon Street' is about an academic who lives the life of a call girl/escort by night and become the center of a mid-east spy and intrigue entanglement. The second novella, 'Dr. De Marr', is about twins with an extremely sordid psychological past. One twin looses his identity in his brother which results in a horrifying ending. This book reminded me of the work of John L'Heureux, especially A Woman Run Mad.

One Winner, One Clunker

Half Moon Street consists of two novellas. "Dr. Slaughter," the first work, and the one on which the movie "Half Moon Street" is based is so far superior to the movie, and so different in its plot, theme and message, as to constitute a totally different story. The book shows how a person who lives for the moment can bring tragedy down on herself and those around her. Throughout the story, wheels are turning in the background, undermining Dr. Slaughter's unconventional life and dooming the man she is most attracted to. Then everything snaps shut on her like a mousetrap. This is a stunning acheivement. "Dr. De Marr" the other story is quite disappointing, a perfect illustration of why writers are supposed to show rather than to describe. The intriguing tale of a pair of twins and their reconnection after many years, we are treated to a long essay dragging us through the relationship. I would suggest that you (i) avoid the movie, (ii) buy the book, and (iii) stop reading after the first (and longer of the two) stories.

Half Moon Street

This novel was adapted into a movie starring Sigourney Weaver about an escort girl's adventures in Europe.

Half Moon Street

This novel was adapted into a movie starring Signorney Weaver about an escort girl's adventures in Europe.