Great book, fans of the film might be disappointed

Like most Americans I knew of the classic Sidney Poitier/Rod Steiger film (and the subsequent Carol O'Conner TV version) of the same name. I only became aware of the book many years later having caught the movie again on TV I noticed in the credits it was based on a novel. I decided to seek out an audio version of the novel and was quite glad I did. The thing that most surprised me was the stark difference between the film and novel versions of the story. While the basic premise remains the same, and the film even takes many scenes and lines of dialogue (including the famous "MISTER Tibbs") verbatim from the novel, there is a dramatic difference in tone. In the film takes a back seat to rather heavy handed social commentary. The novel however is actually a cracking good detective story told in the grand tradition of Poe, Doyle and Christie's famous literary detectives. Ball is one of the "Baker Street Irregulars", a famous group of Sherlock Holmes fanatics and it shows here, Tibbs evokes intentional echoes of Holmes.

That is not to say the novel is without social commentary. The entire premise of a smart sophisticated eloquent black detective showing up a group of ignorant southern bumpkins must have been extremely controversial in 1965 when it was originally published. However Ball deftly handles this, much more so than Norman Jewison's film version. In the film both the Police Chief and Tibbs are stereotypes, almost cartoonishly so. While most remember Steiger's oscar winning turn as the sweaty racist backwoods police chief, most forget that Poitier does not really deliver a particularly subtle performance either. He plays the quintessential "angry black man" in an almost unhinged performance. In some ways it seems appropriate because he is only reacting to Steiger's treetment of him which is far worse than the book.

However Ball's novel is much more realistic and in doing so I think stands the test of time better. In Ball's book Tibbs is angry, to be sure, but his anger is always tightly controlled, just under the surface. Tibbs does not yell his famous line in the book , its instead delivered almost offhandedly. Tibbs characters both white and black understand their place in the social structure in which they find themselves. Remember in both versions Tibbs was supposedly raised in the south, he would certainly "know the score", he had also supposedly rose through the ranks in a mostly white police department in the 1950s and 1960s, hardly something which could be accomplished by an angry arrogant militant. Ball's Detective Tibbs is much more cordial and diplomatic, sure of himself and arrogant, but instead of raising his voice he forces the white racists to contend with his genius mind. He does things in a way in which it superficially seems he is serving them,when in reality all involved know he is putting them in their place. Ball's Tibbs does not think he will upend the southern social order, and does not try to. He , his ancestors named Holmes and Poitrot, doesn't solve the case to "show up " the whites, but does so because his intellect locks on to a problem with laser focus and once involved he simply cannot let it go unresolved. He is a pure intellectual.
Ball also bravely allows the characters to grow, both black and white, but only to a realistic degree. The white characters seem real, while they are racist only a few ancillary ones are cartoons. Gillespie and Wood are painted as ignorant, products of their upbringing, environment and egos, but not evil. In that they have the capacity to come to respect and like Tibbs, not because he yells at them or browbeats them, but because of his genius and constant professionalism.

Those fans of the film who expect to see the fireworks of the movie may come away disappointed, however mystery lovers may find an unexpected surprise. As for the social aspect, the novel, I feel anyway,may say a bit less, but is a much more realistic product of its time.

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7 people found this helpful

Powerful story beautifully crafted and narrated

I have watched Rod Steiger and Sidney Poitier in their incomparably brilliant performances in the 1967 movie that I love and return to often. Now I have discovered the novel that inspired this art for the screen; and it is a carefully crafted and elegantly written story that illuminates the south still locked in the prison of crippling Jim Crow culture. The pain of this era is somewhat softened by white men forced to acknowledge their bigotry although the catalyst for the revelatory soul searching is a human being of exceptional integrity sensitivity courage and intelligence. As Bill Gillespie expressed: “A credit to the human race.” Just as I watch the movie a few times each year, I shall accord this Audible performance the same devotion.

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excellent

I'm glad I got to read the book. The movie and series were great too

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Very entertaining

Always loved the movie, but had never read the book, so I decided to finally check it out. I usually don't enjoy audio books that much, but I was pleasantly surprised by this one. The differences between the movie and the novel made for an interesting "read". The narrator had a pleasant voice and did a wonderful job of bringing the book to life.

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4 people found this helpful

the finest in all ways

I have listened to this book over the years and never tire of it. This recording is perfectly done.

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Classic!

Incentive and original story. Great plot, characters and atmosphere. Timely at the time it was made and timeless story. Virgil Tibbs is one of the great detective characters of all time.

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2 people found this helpful

A Great Novel

This book keeps you on the edge of your chair with all the twists and turns associated with catching the Killer.

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absolutely amazing

i loved this book it was absolutely amazing. it was well preformed it was like i was in the book as the story was happening.

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Much better than the excellent movie

Wow. After recently viewing the movie "in the heat of the night" I decided I would like to read the book. Found this on audible for a reasonable price, wow - so glad I listened before I read the book. Narration is WONDERFUL. Not good for nodding off to sleep; you will keep setting the timer for 30 more minutes and before you know it you will have lost 5 hours of sleep. I will listen to this a few more times. The sheriff is actually much taller and bullying than the movie depicts and the narrator makes you feel his presence excellently, almost like painting a picture in your mind with the way the narrator voices the several main characters. This narration, and story, piqued my interest in learning more about Mr. Tibbs in the subsequent novels in this series. You will feel how hot the nights are, see in your minds eye the small town, the sidewalks, the stores, how the people are dressed. Goodness what a great book. This is a book for all day chores where you will not be interrupted. Maybe gardening, washing, cleaning floors, you will keep finding more chores so you have time to listen. Great pick for me. Enjoy

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Great Movie, Great Book!

Which can't always be said, but it's certainly the case with John Ball's magnum opus. A longtime fan of the Sidney Poitier Rod Steiger masterpiece, I approached this short novel with a bit of skepticism. I need not have worried. Yes, there are some differences… And yes, there are things I preferred in the movie… But there's just as many things in the book which inspired me to Listened to in one sitting during a wonderful Saturday morning walk followed by afternoon gardening! And all the while accompanied by this true good 'un!

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