The Bank Robber Diaries

There's nothing like the promise of a behind-the-scenes tour of crime and vice to send law-abiding citizens scurrying for the nearest movie theater, TV set, or bookstore. Former burglar King has certainly tapped into this interest with his "Diaries" series. His well-received debut The Burglar Diaries was the first-person account of a burglar's career. This successor volume follows the formula, being a first-person account of the life and times of a London bank robber. (It should be noted that the "diary" label is not really accurate, as it's not a day-by-day account, but more of a memoir that looks back at the past.) The narrator is Chris, who followed his brother into a life of bank robbery and becomes the head of their small crew when his brother gets nabbed and jailed for 15 years.The story covers about a decade of his career, from inept beginner to slick professional. Along the way, he embarks on a loveless marriage, a desperate affair with his brother's wife, and must confront the growing psychopathic tendencies of his partner Vince. The reader is pulled this way and that, as Chris grows more human and sympathetic, and then will do something awful. He's a subtly compelling character-all he really wants is to be left in peace and quiet to watch TV, enjoy the odd beer, and maybe find some comfort and love. On the other hand, he's not opposed to putting two slugs in anyone who stands between him and jail. The tension mounts as Vince grows more out of control, and in one episode of high black comedy, completely loses it in a paintball battle and starts bludgeoning anyone who stands between him and winning. The whole book is written in a very easy, smooth storytelling style that moves right along and has the ring of authenticity about it. King treads that fine line between humanizing and glorifying criminals, and does an excellent job of bringing the dark reality of the criminal life back every time the story strays toward the sentimental. It can be funny at times, sometimes slapsticky, but more often the humor of the black Coen Bros. kind. Climaxing in an ambiguous dark ending, the story makes its own statement as to the attractiveness of the criminal life. King's series continues with The Hitman Diaries, and the forthcoming Pornographer Diaries.