Hi All,
Mark wrote:
> And if "noir" is just a brandname and marketing
tool, as it was for
> Duhamel, then can't it evolve through marketing, and
the buying public?
> The closest analogy I can think of is with punk rock
and new wave.
Interesting post Mark, and I enjoyed your punk rock analogy
:o)
As for the definition, well, I think you're all right, and,
furthermore, that you're never going to agree, but I guess
that's part of the fun :o)
There's was a marvellous panel at Bouchercon in Las Vegas
with Eddie Muller, Con Lehane, Rudy Franchi and Marianne
MacDonald. They had some great things to say including the
quote from someone whose name I've forgotten, that noir
is:
"... when the character is "f***ed on page 1 and it doesn't
get any better". That will do as a definition for me, as will
Eddie's distinction between noir atmosphere and noir
content.
There's a great quote from the movie Detour which catches the
feel of noir for me:
"That's life - Whichever way you turn, fate sticks out a foot
to trip you up."
For me, 'hardboiled' holds out some hope, whereas 'noir'
doesn't. There's something compelling about a noir
protagonist that keeps you reading, and, sometimes, hoping
that he'll win through, even though you know that any light
at the end of the tunnel is just a really, really big
train.
To be honest, I don't care what the strict definition is
(especially since no two people can agree!), I just like to
sit back and enjoy it - whatever it is. Analysing stuff to
death can take the fun out of it.
Donna
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