Anatomy of a Murder
Product Description
A gripping tale of deceit, murder and a sensational trial, this courtroom classic is unmatched in its authenticity and vivid portrayls of its setting, events, and characters. Irresistibly absorbing, it has set the standard for all courtroom dramas to come…. More >>
Book started off cutely, with Biegler the former DA coming home from fishing to find a murder had occured in the county, and making all sorts of smart remarks. The case: Woman says she is raped, husband kills rapist. The book should actually be called “Anatomy of a Murder Trial”, since it does go on at length about that. I never could understand why an attorney from the State Attorney General’s office shows up to assist (basically taking over the prosecution) the new DA. And of course he’s just as horrid as can be, and Paul Biegler, the defense attorney gets to make all the witty cracks, putting Dancer in his place, and win the case. The book is quite different from the movie (which wasn’t very good either), in that except for the Attorney General taking over the case, and surprise witnesses showing up with no notice to either side, the book makes more sense, and of course, has more detail to explain things.
But instead of getting to the heart of the matter, the author seemed to want to show off his ability to blather on and on about nothing.
Rating: 2 / 5
A bestseller in its day (the 1950s), this novel is of interest now mainly as a period piece and as the source for the celebrated Otto Preminger film. “Robert Traver” was the pen name of a former prosecutor and judge who wanted to write a novel that showed what *really* happens in a murder trial. He more or less succeeded in the accuracy department, but otherwise this novel is a fairly routine potboiler, with a touch of sex and violence, a wrongly slandered maiden whom only the hero appreciates, an alcoholic mentor who helps the hero behind the scenes, a scrappy secretary who never gets paid on time, etc.
Readers looking for a novel about a trial that is both accurate and well written would be better off buying *The Just and the Unjust,* by James Gould Cozzens. If you choose to read *Anatomy of a Murder* or to see the film, you would also benefit from reading the chapter on the film in *Reel Justice,* which points out some ways in which the story is less than accurate.
Rating: 2 / 5
Up in Michigan, Laura Manion is raped by Barney Quill. Her husband, Army Lt. Manion kills Quill in a fit of irresistible impulse. Enter small town lawyer Paul Biegler. Assisted by his old friend, Parnell, and his able secretary, Maida, he brings order out of this human chaos. The story is a blend of sex, crime, and psychology. Dostoyevsky in the upper mid-West. It was a best seller in the late ’50s. True to a real-life legal scenario, the pace is slow. The plot revolves around the investigation, and the trial. The methods of a defense attorney in building and defending a plausible case are interesting. Be aware, however, that talking and legal maneuvering comprise the main action of the novel. The exhaustive discourse and verbose courtroom dialogue get tiresome by the time the book rambles to a conclusion. The story’s hard-hitting punch has been diminished by time. What was shockingly “adult” in the late ’50s seems mundane today. Paul Biegler is a likable character, and his self-deprecating sense of humor keeps the story from getting too grim. The legal defense of “irresistible impulse” takes some effort to swallow. Perhaps conscious of the uncertain ethics of his case and his client, Biegler makes a wry observation that the lawyer’s world is both of “bastards and angels.” The setting is small town America rather than Big City, USA. The late summer-early fall setting adds earthy flavor to Biegler’s quiet interludes of introspection. As diverting fiction, this novel has value. Nevertheless, it falls short of a powerhouse.
Rating: 3 / 5
This 1958 novel became a best-seller and a successful movie. It pushed the envelope in its subject matter, something not explicitly mentioned in the press. Robert Traver was a lawyer, District Attorney, and judge in Michigan (like Paul Biegler). He turned to writing after his political defeat, he wanted to write a courtroom novel that was real and not dramatic. [If people wanted to read a real courtroom story there would be a market for trial transcripts. Most true crime books edit the courtroom scenes.] Hitchcock defined drama as real life without the dull parts. After the success of this novel his earlier writings became salable (`Introduction’). The `Prologue’ tells about the rocky land of swamps and hills that is the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, whose climate is like Canada.
Part One is `Before the Trial’. Biegler hears that Barney Quill was shot and killed in his bar by a soldier. Laura Manion, the wife of Lt. Frederic Manion, wants him to defend her husband. The first chapters tell about the life and character of Biegler. The comments tell about America in the 1950s and the author’s views. [Some of these will be obscure after fifty years.] There is no “unwritten law”. A husband can kill a man to prevent the rape of his wife, or if he has caught him at it, or to prevent his escape. Killing threatens the survival of humans and is taboo. The law prevents tribal feuds. Laura tells of Frederic’s jealousy. Her injuries are photographed for the trial. Laura will be examined by another doctor. Biegler asks his friend Parnell to help. Biegler visits the Thunder Bay bar to learn the facts. Barney had been an expert marksman. He was described as a “ravening wolf”. Barney was thoroughly disliked in town, he could outshoot, outfight, and outlove any man in town; a bully and a braggart. Parnell learned about that night when Mary Pilant was out late. The question of the will adds financial incentives to this murder case. Can a private person make an arrest without a warrant for a felony committed out of his presence?
Part Two is the `Trial’. The Army psychiatrist said “irresistible impulse”, but most courts rejected that defense. Michigan was one of the few that allowed it. The judge overruled an objection so the evidence of the spermatogenesis was let in. This helped the defense. Another witness told of Laura’s screams by the gate to the trailer park. Cross-examining the Police Detective brought out the fact that Laura was beaten and raped. The result of a lie-detector test is not admissible in court (unreliability) but Biegler got testimony of its use in this case. Biegler told Mary Pilant how the suit by Quill’s former wife was stopped. The last will left the estate to Pilant so there no reason for not testifying about Quill’s personality. Laura and Frederic testify. The defense’s psychiatrist was contradicted by the prosecution’s psychiatrist, but Biegler cross-examined and neutralized his testimony. Biegler made his closing statement (Chapter 27), which summed up the case. The prosecutor spoke (Chapter 28), the judge instructed the jury (Chapter 29). [The judged summed up for the defense.] Chapter 30 has the jury verdict. The judge congratulated Biegler. There is a surprise when Biegler goes to collect his fee! [No mention of the future life of the Manions.]
This long novel would be faster read if reduced by 30%, but would lose some of its value as a snapshot of life in the 1950s. The book implicitly criticizes the policy of putting an army base in a small-town rural area. It brings in dollars but disturbs the local society [unmentioned in this novel]. Was the film as good?
Rating: 5 / 5
This book really takes you through a realistic murder from start to end. It is amazing how similar real life is to this, and yet it still maintains an enjoyable read. Warning book starts very slow for first about 70 pages.
Rating: 4 / 5