Re: RARA-AVIS: Paul Cain

MT (matrxtech@sprintmail.com)
Sat, 21 Nov 1998 14:39:44 -0500 "A friend of mine has suggested "Fast One" to me and i'm in
the process of getting a copy, but if Cain only wrote one
novel, what are "Seven Slayers" and "Death Song"? I'm
guessing that "Seven Slayers" is a collection of short stories.
"Death Song" I have no idea about since it is supposed to
be published in 1999 (co-written with William F. Nolan and
Joseph Hansen). Does anyone have any bio information on
Cain other than his real name was Peter Ruric?"

Apparently his real-real name was George Sims, then Peter Ruric and --
as a pen-name -- Paul Cain. He worked as a screenwriter for many years.
Seven Slayers contains seven of his stories for Black Mask. As to _Fast
One_, my recent attempt at re-reading it failed miserably: the book
seemed indigestible and, in parts, incomprehensible. I didn't make it
beyond the first 20 pages. It reminded me of some books by George V.
Higgins in which the brutal crisscross style doesn't mix well with an
extremely complicated plot (like _The Judgment of Deke Hunter_). But you
should definitely read it. Could this "Death Song" be the completion of
some Cain manuscript, or perhaps the filling out of a screenplay? Please
post any information you have on this.

Regards,

MT
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