RE: RARA-AVIS: postmodern noir

Ablueman (Ablueman@aol.com)
Fri, 5 Dec 1997 21:22:39 EST Has anyone read any Richard Rayner? Although, not hard-boiled or noir really
(I haven't read "Murder Book" yet which may be more so), there is a postmodern
feeling to his work, especially "Los Angeles Without a Map", that reminds me
of Truffuat's "Shoot the Piano Player" and Godard's "Breathless". A good
example of self-reflexivity and pastiche as homage. There are a multitude of
film references and the author views his existence as if it was playing on the
movie screen. Also a scathing look at Hollywood/L.A. reminiscent of "Day of
the Locust". "The Blue Suit- a memoir of crime" is also a great book about how
the author's obsession with pilfering books leads to fraud and burglary. I
highly recommend.

---James
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