The Devil's Company
Encyclopedia
The Devil's Company is a historical-mystery-thriller novel by David Liss
, set in 18th century London. It is the third of three novels containing the memoir
of the fictional Benjamin Weaver, a retired bare-knuckle boxer
, now a "thief-taker" (a cross between a modern private investigator
and bounty hunter
). Weaver's "memoir" began with Liss' first novel, A Conspiracy of Paper
(2000), and continued in A Spectacle of Corruption
(2004).
that provided the historical setting for A Spectacle of Corruption
. This time, Weaver finds himself involved in puzzling and dangerous events surrounding the all-powerful East India Company
.
Victimized, along with family and friends, by an elaborate extortion scheme, Weaver is forced to spy and steal for the enigmatic Jerome Cobb. Under Cobb's direction, Weaver infiltrates the Company and attempts to learn its secrets before the upcoming meeting of the board of directors (called the Court of Proprietors). Trouble is, Cobb won't (or can't) say exactly what he's looking for, or why. As is typical in this genre, the truth is not revealed until the final pages.
Along the way, Weaver meets a colorful assortment of characters, including a betel-nut chewing Company director, an obsessive-compulsive clerk, a bi-sexual bigamist inventor, the London silk-weavers' guild master and several varieties of international spy.
, who also wrote a memoir.
Besides Weaver, fictional characters carried over from A Spectacle of Corruption
, include the Scottish surgeon Elias Gordon, who plays Dr. Watson to Weaver's Sherlock Holmes
. Uncle Miguel Lienzo is again an important character, and Cousin Miriam, a former love interest, appears briefly. One historical character, the notorious 'Thief-taker General' Jonathan Wild
, also makes a return appearance. Weaver's romantic interest this time is the seductive Celia Glade who turns out to be, of course, not what she seems.
Concerning his approach to creation of fictional characters for the historical-mystery-thriller genre, Liss says, "What readers care about is that the characters want something and they have to do difficult or dangerous things in order to accomplish their goals".
society, from wealthy and powerful East India Company directors to poverty-stricken street urchins.
As a former PhD candidate in 18th century British literature, Liss takes period research and detail seriously. As he said in an interview, "If things had not worked out with fiction, I probably would have kept to my graduate school career track and sought a job as a literature professor".
The same reviewer mentions another major theme; the novel "explores the beginnings of corporate culture and globalization. Liss cleverly refers to the works of Charles Davenant
and Josiah Child
and their theory of free trade". The clash between "free trade" and protection of native industry is portrayed throughout the story.
According to Liss, "At their core, my novels are about the dangerous and despicable things people will often do to obtain or keep money."
, refers to it as "the devil's company".
David Liss
David Liss is an American writer of novels, essays and short fiction; more recently working also in comic books. He was born in New Jersey and grew up in South Florida. Liss received his B. A. degree from Syracuse University, an M. A. from Georgia State University and his M. Phil from Columbia...
, set in 18th century London. It is the third of three novels containing the memoir
Memoir
A memoir , is a literary genre, forming a subclass of autobiography – although the terms 'memoir' and 'autobiography' are almost interchangeable. Memoir is autobiographical writing, but not all autobiographical writing follows the criteria for memoir set out below...
of the fictional Benjamin Weaver, a retired bare-knuckle boxer
Bare-knuckle boxing
Bare-knuckle boxing is the original form of boxing, closely related to ancient combat sports...
, now a "thief-taker" (a cross between a modern private investigator
Private investigator
A private investigator , private detective or inquiry agent, is a person who can be hired by individuals or groups to undertake investigatory law services. Private detectives/investigators often work for attorneys in civil cases. Many work for insurance companies to investigate suspicious claims...
and bounty hunter
Bounty hunter
A bounty hunter captures fugitives for a monetary reward . Other names, mainly used in the United States, include bail enforcement agent and fugitive recovery agent.-Laws in the U.S.:...
). Weaver's "memoir" began with Liss' first novel, A Conspiracy of Paper
A Conspiracy of Paper
A Conspiracy of Paper is a historical-mystery novel by David Liss, set in London in the period leading up to the bursting of the South Sea Bubble in 1720.-Synopsis:...
(2000), and continued in A Spectacle of Corruption
A Spectacle of Corruption
A Spectacle of Corruption is a historical-mystery novel by David Liss, set in 18th century London. It is the middle of three novels containing the memoir of the fictional Benjamin Weaver, a Jewish former bare-knuckle boxer and current "thief-taker" .-Synopsis:This tale picks up a few months after...
(2004).
Plot
This third memoir installment begins in November of 1722, eight months after the 1722 General ElectionBritish general election, 1722
The British general election of 1722 elected members to serve in the House of Commons of the 6th Parliament of Great Britain. This event took place following the merger of the Parliament of England and the Parliament of Scotland in 1707. The election was fiercely fought, with contests taking place...
that provided the historical setting for A Spectacle of Corruption
A Spectacle of Corruption
A Spectacle of Corruption is a historical-mystery novel by David Liss, set in 18th century London. It is the middle of three novels containing the memoir of the fictional Benjamin Weaver, a Jewish former bare-knuckle boxer and current "thief-taker" .-Synopsis:This tale picks up a few months after...
. This time, Weaver finds himself involved in puzzling and dangerous events surrounding the all-powerful East India Company
East India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
.
Victimized, along with family and friends, by an elaborate extortion scheme, Weaver is forced to spy and steal for the enigmatic Jerome Cobb. Under Cobb's direction, Weaver infiltrates the Company and attempts to learn its secrets before the upcoming meeting of the board of directors (called the Court of Proprietors). Trouble is, Cobb won't (or can't) say exactly what he's looking for, or why. As is typical in this genre, the truth is not revealed until the final pages.
Along the way, Weaver meets a colorful assortment of characters, including a betel-nut chewing Company director, an obsessive-compulsive clerk, a bi-sexual bigamist inventor, the London silk-weavers' guild master and several varieties of international spy.
Characters
Fictional protagonist and memoirist Benjamin Weaver is the London-born son of Portuguese Jewish immigrants. Liss has written that the character was "inspired" by the real life boxing champion, Daniel MendozaDaniel Mendoza
Daniel Mendoza was an English prizefighter, who was boxing champion of England 1792–95.-Success:...
, who also wrote a memoir.
Besides Weaver, fictional characters carried over from A Spectacle of Corruption
A Spectacle of Corruption
A Spectacle of Corruption is a historical-mystery novel by David Liss, set in 18th century London. It is the middle of three novels containing the memoir of the fictional Benjamin Weaver, a Jewish former bare-knuckle boxer and current "thief-taker" .-Synopsis:This tale picks up a few months after...
, include the Scottish surgeon Elias Gordon, who plays Dr. Watson to Weaver's Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes is a fictional detective created by Scottish author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The fantastic London-based "consulting detective", Holmes is famous for his astute logical reasoning, his ability to take almost any disguise, and his use of forensic science skills to solve...
. Uncle Miguel Lienzo is again an important character, and Cousin Miriam, a former love interest, appears briefly. One historical character, the notorious 'Thief-taker General' Jonathan Wild
Jonathan Wild
Jonathan Wild was perhaps the most infamous criminal of London — and possibly Great Britain — during the 18th century, both because of his own actions and the uses novelists, playwrights, and political satirists made of them...
, also makes a return appearance. Weaver's romantic interest this time is the seductive Celia Glade who turns out to be, of course, not what she seems.
Concerning his approach to creation of fictional characters for the historical-mystery-thriller genre, Liss says, "What readers care about is that the characters want something and they have to do difficult or dangerous things in order to accomplish their goals".
Setting
As in the first two Benjamin Weaver novels, the action takes place entirely in or near 1722 London. Weaver's unusual profession brings him into contact with a wide cross-section of Georgian eraGeorgian era
The Georgian era is a period of British history which takes its name from, and is normally defined as spanning the reigns of, the first four Hanoverian kings of Great Britain : George I, George II, George III and George IV...
society, from wealthy and powerful East India Company directors to poverty-stricken street urchins.
As a former PhD candidate in 18th century British literature, Liss takes period research and detail seriously. As he said in an interview, "If things had not worked out with fiction, I probably would have kept to my graduate school career track and sought a job as a literature professor".
Style
As fiction purporting to be a memoir, the novel is written as a first-person narrative. The language attempts to impart a period feel without sacrificing readability. A reviewer who is also an English professor wrote that "his efforts at writing period dialogue are, at best, stiff and sometimes unintentionally laughable". The review continues with "is this post-modern pastiche or is Liss just tone deaf? One hopes, very much against hope, that Liss' tongue is having a rendezvous with his cheek".Major themes
One reviewer notes that, as a Jew, the Weaver character "permits Liss to show us how anti-Semitism was expressed in the relatively unfamiliar context of Hanoverian England". Weaver finds, however, that Jews were not the only minority to face bigotry and hatred in the London depicted in The Devil's Company . Homosexuals, immigrants, the poor and a dark-skinned native of India all receive their share of abuse. The un-liberated status of women in that era also plays a role in the story.The same reviewer mentions another major theme; the novel "explores the beginnings of corporate culture and globalization. Liss cleverly refers to the works of Charles Davenant
Charles Davenant
Charles Davenant , English economist, eldest son of Sir William Davenant, the poet, was born in London.-Overview:He was educated at Cheam grammar school and Balliol College, Oxford, but left the university without taking a degree...
and Josiah Child
Josiah Child
Sir Josiah Child of Wanstead, 1st Baronet , English merchant, economist proponent of mercantilism and governor of the East India Company, was born in London, the second son of Richard Child, a London merchant of old family.-Family:...
and their theory of free trade". The clash between "free trade" and protection of native industry is portrayed throughout the story.
According to Liss, "At their core, my novels are about the dangerous and despicable things people will often do to obtain or keep money."
Explanation of the novel's title
One of the fictional characters, not happy about the activities of the British East India CompanyBritish East India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
, refers to it as "the devil's company".
External links
- http://www.davidliss.com Author's website (accessed 09-2010)