Andrew Vachss's 'A Bomb Built in Hell' follows the story of Wesley, an ice-cold killer forged by neglect and abuse, as he navigates a world of violence and assassination. The book delves into the dark themes of society's monsters created by the mistreatment of the young and vulnerable. With a writing style described as spare and taboo-breaking, Vachss presents a chilling protagonist in Wesley, whose lack of emotions and ruthless actions drive the narrative forward.

Characters:

Wesley, the protagonist, is a chilling and complex character, while other characters are less developed and mainly serve to highlight his traits.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by sparse and impactful prose that conveys intensity and seriousness.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on the character Wesley, exploring themes of violence and societal issues, showcasing his ruthless nature and complex views.

Setting:

The setting is primarily urban, deeply integrated with the exploration of crime and societal neglect.

Pacing:

The pacing is a mix of intense action and slower character exploration, leading to some inconsistencies.

Notes:

The book features Wesley, a character originally from the Burke series.

Written before the Burke series, it's less likely to appeal to new readers.

Wesley is portrayed as a cold-blooded killer, not a psychopath.

He is the only man Burke's family fears in the Burke novels.

The book intended to make readers sympathetic to Wesley's hate for harming animals and children, despite his brutality.

A BOMB BUILT IN HELL was considered too violent to be published in the early 70s.

Elements of this book were later incorporated into the popular Burke series.

Vachss aimed to use crime fiction to convey messages about social issues.

Wesley's character is shaped by neglect and abuse, reflecting Vachss's concerns about society.

The book was initially seen as too extreme and unrealistic by publishers.

The violence in the book is described as overwhelming the bland writing style.

Wesley was originally intended to be a chilling minor character, but this novel attempted to flesh him out.

Despite being a period piece, the book maintains its relevance to modern issues.

The writing is characterized by spare prose and a focus on dark themes.

Critics noted poor research on firearms and technical details throughout the novel.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The content warnings for the book include high levels of violence, themes involving child abuse, and sociopathic behaviors.

From The Publisher:

Andrew Vachss' pre- Flood novel A Bomb Built in Hell was written in 1973. It was rejected by every publisher, one of whom described it as a "political horror story," others of whom berated it for its "lack of realism," including such things as Chinese youth gangs and the fall of Haiti. And the very idea of someone entering a high school with the intent of destroying every living person inside was just too ... ludicrous.

Readers of Vachss' Burke series will immediately recognize Wesley, the main character of A Bomb Built in Hell . This is his story.

What can you read after
A Bomb Built in Hell?

American Psycho
Bret Easton Ellis
extreme violence
psychological thriller

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