Compulsion (Levin novel)
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 1956 |
| Founder | Meyer Levin |
| Products | Crime novel |
Compulsion is a 1956 crime novel authored by American writer Meyer Levin. Set against the backdrop of 1924 Chicago and drawing inspiration from the actual Leopold and Loeb case, the book achieved bestseller status. The story follows two college students who abduct and murder a boy to demonstrate their ability to execute the perfect crime. In 1957, Levin transformed the novel into a stage play that enjoyed a Broadway run of 140 performances, featuring Dean Stockwell and Roddy McDowall in leading roles.
Plot summary
Sid Silver, the narrator, is preparing to conduct an interview with Judd Steiner, whose parole is being reconsidered after serving three decades for the thrill-driven murder of 12-year-old Paulie Kessler. Judd and his partner Artie Straus received life sentences plus 99 years for the highly publicized homicide. As a university peer who played a role in gathering evidence, Sid contemplates whether his conversation might impact Judd’s parole decision. Artie had died in prison several years prior.
Through flashbacks, we see Judd and Artie as affluent law students under twenty who perceive themselves as Nietzschean “supermen” beyond legal constraints. Their criminal activities escalate from minor offenses—cheating, theft, arson—to more serious acts fueled by a desire for excitement and control. To assert their intellectual dominance, they devise a plan to commit the “perfect crime”: kidnapping and murdering Paulie Kessler.
After enticing Paulie away from school and killing him, Artie attempts to mislead investigators by planting false clues, including wrongful accusations against a teacher. Sid uncovers crucial evidence when distinctive eyeglasses found near the victim are identified as belonging to Judd. The unique hinge design confirms this connection, contradicting Judd’s claim that he lost them days earlier while bird watching. Additionally, the stolen fraternity typewriter used to compose the ransom note emerges as vital proof.
Judd develops a relationship with Sid’s girlfriend Ruth, drawn by her intelligence. Seeking to break free from Artie’s influence, Judd tries to assault Ruth under the guise of his philosophy; she rejects him but ultimately forgives and continues their relationship.
Both Judd and Artie provide alibis involving two women and assert they used Judd’s car on the night of the murder. However, their chauffeur testifies that he was repairing the vehicle at that time, undermining their alibi. During questioning, Artie implicates Judd; Judd reciprocates but claims Artie was the actual murderer. The eyeglasses and typewriter solidly connect them to the crime scene.
Prominent lawyer Jonathan Wilk defends them successfully, preventing their execution through a compelling argument opposing capital punishment.
Film adaptation
The novel was adapted into the 1959 film Compulsion by 20th Century Fox. Directed by Richard Fleischer, it starred Orson Welles, Diane Varsi, and Bradford Dillman, with Dean Stockwell reprising his role from the stage production.
Literary significance
Levin’s 1956 work Compulsion, based on the Leopold and Loeb trial, earned him a Special Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America in 1957. It is acknowledged as pioneering the "documentary" or "non-fiction novel" genre—a narrative approach later adopted by authors such as Truman Capote in In Cold Blood and Norman Mailer in The Executioner's Song.
Controversy
During the early 1950s, Meyer Levin reached out to Nathan Leopold while he was incarcerated, proposing a joint effort to create a novel centered on the murder case. Leopold declined, opting instead to compose his own memoir. Despite this, Levin went ahead and released Compulsion in 1956 without Leopold's involvement. It is reported that Leopold was displeased with the book.
In 1959, Leopold attempted to prevent the film adaptation from being made, alleging violations of privacy, defamation, and unauthorized financial gain from his life story due to the mixture of factual and fictional elements. However, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled against him, reasoning that as the confessed criminal in a widely publicized case, he could not claim harm to his reputation.
Reception: Nathan Leopold's comments
Within his autobiography Life Plus 99 Years, Nathan Leopold—portrayed as Judd Steiner in Compulsion—expressed sharp criticism of Meyer Levin’s narrative:
"Compulsion is a dreadful yet captivating and strangely beautiful work—beautiful in the way an iridescent swamp surface is. The book consists of roughly 40% factual content and 60% fabrication. The factual segments—covering crime details, police procedures, and key trial moments—are notably precise, demonstrating thorough examination of court documents and press reports.
"However, once Mr. Levin departs from these documented facts, much is abandoned. As Levin himself cautions, the remainder is entirely fictional—pure fantasy."
Leopold took issue with Levin’s interweaving of truth and invention: "He has combined a substantial amount of fact with even more fiction—sheer nonsense—in such a skillful manner that the boundaries are indistinguishable. No ordinary reader can separate reality from fabrication. This confusion caused me profound distress and undermined my chances for parole. Levin attributes crimes to Judd Steiner that I never contemplated and assigns thoughts to me that were never mine. Some are embarrassing; others bring me to tears. My remorse for my actual deeds is already immense without this additional anguish."
He also reflected on how the book affected his psychological well-being: "It physically unsettled me—I had to put the book aside to recover from nausea. Emotionally, it induced shame and mild depression. I felt like I was exposed under intense scrutiny before a vast audience and became guarded and suspicious of anyone who might have read it."
Design
The dust jacket for the hardcover release was created by Paul Bacon.