One of the best treatment of the besotted I've read---maybe
one of the best books, period---is Fat City by Leonard
Gardner, written in the 60s, and republished a few years ago
by the University of California Press. The main character, as
I remember, is a down on his luck, ex-boxer, gone drunk, and
making his living, such as it was, as a migrant, day
farmworker in or around Stockton, California. Fat City was
also a great movie, directed by John Huston, with Stacy Keach
and Jeff Bridges. I saw the movie by accident many years ago
and was then turned on to the book by my writing teacher at
the time, Richard Yates... in whose books also, as in whose
life, drinking played a prominent role. Richard Yates wrote a
number of bitter, sad novels about the gray flannel suit
crowd in the 60s and 70s. Fat City is starkly realistic,
about those down on their luck, and even sadder and more
bitter. As far as I can tell, it's the only book Gardner
wrote. I would think some folks on this list, especially
those who like Jim Thompson, would like it a lot and might
find a way to include it, even though it's not formulaic, in
some definition of noir, if not hard-boiled.
I suppose this contribution, such as it is, is my swan song
for the moment. I'm going to be reluctantly leaving the list
for at least a month or so at the end of this week, after a
year of mostly eavesdropping...I think I sent one message...I
want to thank everyone for sharing the discussion; it's been
often thought-provoking and challenging and always
entertaining.... It will take me years to catch up on the
suggested readings.... I've enjoyed myself thoroughly and
learned a great deal, although...despite being told more than
once...still can't get the distinction between hard-boiled
and noir. I look forward to catching up with your discussions
again in the fall, if you'll once more permit me. Please
excuse the disclaimer at the end of this...it follows me
everywhere.
Best to all,
Con Lehane
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