london gangster books fiction

London gangster fiction books often feature a seedy and gritty underworld. They typically have complex characters who are involved in illegal activities like drug dealing, robbery, and extortion. For example, in 'The Long Firm', the characters are deeply immersed in the criminal world of 1960s London.

Another characteristic is the use of local London dialects and slang, which adds authenticity. In many of these books, you'll read phrases and words that are unique to London. Also, loyalty and betrayal are common themes. Gang members may turn on each other for power or money, as seen in several of these fictional works.

One great London gangster fiction book is 'The Long Firm' by Jake Arnott. It delves into the seedy underworld of London in the 1960s. Another is 'Layer Cake' by J. J. Connolly, which offers a gritty look at the drug - trading and gangster lifestyle in the city. Also, 'Gangster No. 1' by Jake Arnott is a fascinating read about a London gangster's rise to power.

There's also 'Gangster No. 1'. This book offers a dark and gritty portrayal of a London gangster's rise to power. It shows the brutal nature of the criminal underworld in London in a very engaging way.

Peter Ackroyd's 'London: The Biography' is a remarkable work. It's not a traditional novel but reads like one in parts. It delves deep into the history of London, exploring different periods and events that have shaped the city. Through Ackroyd's writing, you get a sense of London as a living, breathing entity with all its quirks and charms.

One highly recommended London - set fictional book is 'Howards End' by E.M. Forster. It examines class differences in London society. 'The Invisible Man' by H.G. Wells also has a connection to London as the story unfolds in the city. And 'The London Train' by Tessa Hadley is a more contemporary look at the lives of people in London, their relationships and their daily experiences.

'American Gangster' by Mark Jacobson is also highly regarded. It tells the story of Frank Lucas, a real - life drug lord. The book not only focuses on his criminal activities but also on the social and cultural environment that allowed his rise to power and his subsequent fall.

Well, 'The Wire' by David Simon is a must - mention. It's not exactly a traditional book but has been turned into one. It shows the complex web of the drug - dealing underworld in Baltimore. Then there's 'Clockers' by Richard Price. It focuses on the lives of small - time drug dealers in an urban environment. And 'Gone, Baby, Gone' by Dennis Lehane is set in a tough urban area and involves elements of gangsters and crime.

One of the great London - set fiction books is 'Oliver Twist' by Charles Dickens. It vividly portrays the slums and social strata of London in the 19th century. Another is 'A Clockwork Orange' by Anthony Burgess, which gives a unique and often disturbing view of a future London. And 'Mrs. Dalloway' by Virginia Woolf is also a classic, exploring a day in the life of a London woman and the city around her.

A more modern example is 'London Fields' by Martin Amis. It's a complex and darkly humorous novel that explores the lives of various characters in London. It delves deep into the seedy underbelly as well as the more ordinary aspects of life in the city.