Read more
Inspired by the true story of California "Co-ed Killer" Edmund Kemper, The Avenue of the Giants follows Al Kenner as he progresses from antisocial adolescent to full-fledged serial killer in the turbulent '60s and '70s. A giant at over seven feet tall with an IQ higher than Einstein's, Al has never been ordinary. Tainted by his parents' divorce and his mother's abusive behavior, his life takes a chilling turn on the day of John F. Kennedy's assassination. Al spends five years in a psychiatric hospital, and although he convinces the staff that he is of sound mind, he continues to harbor vicious impulses. Al leads a double life, befriending the Santa Cruz Police Chief and contemplating marrying his daughter, all the while committing a series of brutal murders. Delving into the mind of this complex killer, Marc Dugain powerfully evokes an America torn between the pacifism of the hippie movement and the violence of Vietnam.
In an impressive display of literary prowess, Marc Dugain gives readers a portrait of a time, a place, and a protagonist that fascinates as it unsettles in much the same way as Jeff Guinn's Manson and Truman Capote's In Cold Blood.
About the author
Born in Senegal in 1957, Marc Dugain is the author of numerous successful novels. His novel The Officers' Ward recounts his grandfather's experiences in World War I and was made into a 2001 film of the same name.
Summary
Based on a true story, this “extremely compelling novel” delves into the mind of a murderer (Booklist).
The Avenue of the Giants follows Al Kenner as he progresses from antisocial adolescent to full-fledged serial killer in the turbulent 1960s and ’70s. A giant at over seven feet tall with an IQ higher than Einstein’s, Al was never ordinary. His life is tainted by his parents’ divorce and his mother’s abusive behavior, and it takes a chilling turn on the day of John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Al spends five years in a psychiatric hospital, and although he convinces the staff that he is of sound mind, he continues to harbor vicious impulses. He goes on to lead a double life—befriending the Santa Cruz, California police chief and contemplating marrying his daughter, all the while committing a series of brutal murders.
Delving into the mind of this complex killer, this novel by the prize-winning author of The Officers’ Ward was inspired by the real-life case of Edmund Kemper, and powerfully evokes an America torn between the pacifism of the hippie movement and the violence of Vietnam.
Additional text
“Compelling” - Booklist
“A striking and disturbing novel.”—Le Figaro
“The power of the subject, the intelligence of the plot, the quality of the writing, the skillful use of irony and humor, and the sophisticated construction of the novel ensure that you won’t put it down without an urgent desire to pick it up again.”—Les Echos
“With Avenue of the Giants, Dugain subtly slips into the character of a Californian serial killer.”—L’express
“What strikes you, in this novel, is the coherence and the infinite complexity of the character, whose thoughts drive the implacable narration.”—Télérama
