Michael,
« Pop 1280 » is one of my all time favourite noir
novel. A masterpiece of derision and darkness, a kind of
metaphysical noir (even if this was not Thompson's goal, the
novel's implications lead in that direction).
Amongst the novels I liked very much, my
preference list -some where already given by others- :
THE KILLER INSIDE ME
HELL OF A WOMAN
A SWELL LOOKING BABE
THE GETAWAY
THE NOTHING MAN
And the two volumes of his autobiography which
are not only interesting but carefully well written.
I have also a weakness for one of his first
novels, wherein some of his characteristics as a top writer
are already present in this good novel: NOTHING MORE THAN
MURDER
However beware: amongst his prolific production
of novels and short stories, some are really bad, close to
meaningless (Remember his personal problems). This however
does not change anything about his value as a top writer,
proven of this being found in the numerous outstanding good
novels he wrote.
Speaking of cinema, you have also to see an old
film by Kubrick, the screenplay being by Thompson: THE PATHS
OF GLORY. Excellent film, a classic. One of the best
pamphlets against war, realistic and moving. One of my
favourites by Kubrick. I've seen it many times since its
first release. A noir film by essence.
Always on the film side, there was of course the
excellent THE KILLING, Thompson collaborating to the
screenplay. A "crime"noir film classic, innovative and
outstanding.
A curio: Thompson himself appeared as an actor in
the film FAREWELL MY LOVELY (the version with Mitchum); he
played as the judge.
Anyway I'm very happy that Jim Thompson finally
was acclaimed in his own country, after an occultation and
lack of interest (and of republications) that lasted there at
least to the nineties.
One of the greatest modern noir writers.
E.Borgers
POLAR NOIR
http://www.geocities.com/polarnoir
Michael Robison <
miker_zspider@yahoo.com> a 飲it : Thanks to Dave Z for
recommending this one. It was great. I had heard that the
main character was a replay of Lou Ford from Killer Inside Me
and I was prepared for a replay of that. It's still about a
small town sheriff smarter than he acts, but the mood was way
different. Lou Ford is just plain scary, but Nick is
hilarious. Aside from being funny, his homespun humor carries
some serious and pointed satire with it. Not much is safe.
Thompson takes a shot at religion, sex, hypocrisy,
gullibility, and small-town morals. Twain came to mind. It
also surprised me that the setting is back around 1910, near
as I could tell. Although it goes without saying, the humor
does not prevent the bodies from piling up.
I would appreciate it if you Thompson fans could give me a
couple more recommendations. I've already read Killer Inside
Me and The Getaway. I liked the former more than the latter.
In The Getaway, I thought the characters changed too much
towards the end to be believable.
miker
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