Some people fit noir fiction into a time frame that ends
around 1960, and from there on becomes neo-noir or neon noir
or whatever. Mario has mentioned this, and I think it's the
subject of a Woody Haut book. I've read some of the older
stuff and some newer and can't exactly put my finger on the
difference. Do you see a significant difference? If yes, what
is it?
A gut-level feeling would place Willeford's WILD WIVES, even
though it was 1956, in with Woodrell's GIVE US A KISS, but
would class Ellroy's BLACK DAHLIA among the older. Like I
said, this is just a gut-level feeling. I can't really
explain the difference, except that maybe that fate seems to
be playing a bigger joke on the protagonist in the neo-noir.
But that doesn't hold a lot of water. That sorta ironic humor
is in the old stuff, too.
Thanks, miker
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