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The Cutting Room

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The Cutting Room

By: Louise Welsh
Narrated by: Alan Cumming
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About this listen

Short-listed, Guardian First Book Award, 2002

Winner, CWA John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger, 2002

Winner, Saltire Society First Book of the Year, 2002

When Rilke, a dissolute auctioneer, comes upon a hidden collection of violent and highly disturbing photographs, he feels compelled to discover more about the deceased owner who coveted them. Soon he finds himself sucked into an underworld of crime, depravity and secret desire, fighting for his life.

©2022 Louise Welsh (P)2022 Canongate Books Gothic Horror Literature & Fiction Scary

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Critic reviews

"Unputdownable." (Sunday Times)

"I was hooked from page one." (Guardian)
All stars
Most relevant  
I probably made the mistake of reading the second book first which enthralled me. Unfortunately, this first offering suffers from the passage of years and the honing of the writing.
The subject matter was described in (for me) too graphic a detail, much lingering on the extreme sexual violence took away from what was a good basic storyline. Some parts were so predictable, it also seemed to have bits missing; at one point Rilke is asking for directions from an Irish nurse and the next he's being told that the woman is dead. Did I fall asleep at the wheel for a whole chunk of the story?
Alan Cumming is the saviour of this book, his narration brings out the best in each character - if they have a best side - and reflects the Weegie in him and the storyteller.
Overall, not for me. However, book two is a masterpiece, perhaps I'll re-listen to it.

Too much for me

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Great performance by Alan Cummings and really well drawn characters. I will definitely listen to the second book in the series. slightly jarring use of American words like elevator and subway that didn't sound right

A dark tale brilliantly told

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A well written book. The detailed descriptions making the book and the characters interesting. Binge listened both the first and the second book.

A good listen.

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Well crafted story and great characters. I preferred the story of the 2nd book "The Second Cut' and found it more gripping.

Brilliantly read crime tale

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Horrible but a very good, and informative -about a slice of life I know nothing about - listen.

Very good

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The best Audible I’ve ever heard. Alan Cummings’ reading is an ode to The voices of Glasgow. His Rilke does what I would have thought was impossible and lifts the beauty and nuances of Louise Welsh’s. Compelling stuff.

Exceptional both as a novel and a performance

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Having never read a Louise Welsh novel, this was my first foray into her fiction world. I was not disappointed. An excellent story, well told and kept me wanting more. Alan Cumming’s superb narration added to the excitement and although many might find some of the sex scenes too graphic, I thought they added a realistic dimension to the characterisation. I will be straight on to the next in the series. Loved it!

First rate!

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I read this book when it was first published. Alan Cumming’s narration made this book even better. I read one review saying it was gay porn - yes there are descriptions of gay encounters and gay sex in the book but I don’t they are the main theme of the book or that they make up the majority of the book. Well done to Louise Welsh for writing the book and Alan Cumming is an inspired choice as narrator.

As good as I remembered.

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First of all, this story about a photo of unknown origin and dubious subject matter, won’t be for everyone. The story deals with an aspect of collecting that most will have no experience of and quite possibly no interest in. The easily shocked and morally outraged will not listen to this.
Alan Cumming is an excellent reader of this book, he seems to revel in it’s dark corners and mysterious aspects. Offhand, I can’t imagine anyone who might have carried it so well.
The background of a fading auction house given a chance to make some real money from a house clearance, including it’s owner’s rare collection of sexually doubtful photos, books and other assorted items, is a gateway to the provenance of a particular picture of a perhaps dead young woman that captures the narrator’s interest. The mix of lowlifes, old Glasgow families, shops, academia and police offers a range of experiences and possible outcomes to the plot.
I found it engaging throughout, even if occasional scenes were a tad uncomfortable. To an open-minded listener this is an unusual and interesting listen in the capable hands of a terrific performer.

An unusual subject matter provides an intriguing story.

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This is a great story brilliantly told - some of it is brutal and graphic. The characters are really well developed

Cutting Room

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