Somebody's Husband, Somebody's Son

by Gordon Burn
Somebody's Husband, Somebody's Son cover
Good Books rating 4.08
True Crime
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Paperback • £10.99
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Technical
  • ID: 2806
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2025-10-16
  • ISBN: 9780571265046
  • Publisher: Faber & Faber
  • Published: 2011-06-16
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Somebody's Husband, Somebody's Son delves deep into the life and mind of Peter Sutcliffe, the infamous Yorkshire Ripper, through the meticulous research of Gordon Burn. Over three years, Burn lived in Sutcliffe's hometown of Bingley, uncovering the disturbing details of a killer's life. This modern classic offers a penetrating and provocative look into the psychology of a murderer, often compared to literary masterpieces like In Cold Blood and The Executioner's Song. /n/nThe book is not just a retelling of Sutcliffe's crimes but an exploration of the environment and circumstances that shaped him. It's a haunting narrative that challenges readers to understand the complexities of human nature and the darkness that can lurk within. Norman Mailer praised it as a work that blends the gritty realism of Thomas Hardy with modern investigative journalism.

Reviews
Goodreads · Goodreads Community · 2025-10-16
illuminating 3.75

They find the book to be an illuminating study of a mass murderer, offering a deep dive into Peter Sutcliffe's life. The community appreciates the book's thorough research and insightful analysis.

The Goodreads community provides a collective perspective on Gordon Burn's book, highlighting its illuminating study of Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper. They appreciate the book's thorough research and the deep dive into Sutcliffe's life, which goes beyond the surface-level details often found in true crime literature. The community finds the book to be a well-written and insightful analysis, offering a comprehensive look at the social and personal factors that contributed to Sutcliffe's crimes. The narrative is praised for its ability to engage readers while providing a nuanced understanding of a complex and disturbing subject matter.

Quick quotes

    This study of Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper, is an illuminating study about a mass murderer.

    The book offers a deep dive into Sutcliffe's life, providing a comprehensive look at his background and motivations.

    Gordon Burn's work is praised for its thorough research and insightful analysis.

Another Magazine · 2022-02-23
compelling 4.50

They commend the book's spare and precise prose, which effectively allows the facts to speak for themselves. The reviewer finds the narrative compelling and well-researched.

The reviewer from Another Magazine praises Gordon Burn's ability to craft a narrative that is both spare and precise, making the facts about Peter Sutcliffe's life and crimes all the more impactful. They appreciate how Burn allows the hard-won facts to speak for themselves, creating a dense and compelling narrative. The book is seen as a significant contribution to the true crime genre, offering a unique perspective that goes beyond the usual sensationalism. The reviewer highlights the book's ability to delve deep into the seedy, sad, and pathetic aspects of Sutcliffe's life, making it a must-read for those interested in the psychology behind such crimes.

Quick quotes

    Burns' prose is spare and precise throughout.

    This dense knot of hard-won facts are, as the cliche holds, allowed to speak for themselves.

    The book offers a startlingly original viewpoint on the notorious Yorkshire Ripper case.

The Guardian · Rachel Cooke · 2016-07-12
illuminating 4.00

They highlight the meticulous research and vivid social context that bring Peter Sutcliffe's story to life. The book's depth and attention to detail are particularly praised.

Rachel Cooke from The Guardian offers a thoughtful analysis of Gordon Burn's work, emphasizing the book's unflinching look at Peter Sutcliffe's background and the societal factors that contributed to his crimes. She appreciates the quality of attention and the original viewpoint from which the story is told. Cooke finds the book to be a compelling and illuminating study that goes beyond the sensationalism often associated with true crime narratives. The social roots of Sutcliffe's actions are explored in a way that feels both personal and profound, making it a standout piece of investigative journalism.

Quick quotes

    Gordon Burn's 1984 account of Peter Sutcliffe's social roots impresses with the quality of its attention.

    The book is an unflinching examination of Sutcliffe's background and the societal factors that contributed to his crimes.

    Burn's prose is spare and precise, allowing the dense knot of hard-won facts to speak for themselves.

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