Crime Novels: American Noir of the 1930s and 40s: The Postman Always Rings Twice / They Shoot Horses, Don't They? / Thieves Like Us / The Big Clock / Nightmare Alley / I Married a Dead Man (Library of America)

In 1997, the Library of America published two volumes of American crime novels written in a noir style. Robert Polito, an editor, author, and scholar of noir literature selected the contents of the volumes. The first volume, which I am reviewing here, included six novels written in the 1930's and 1940's while the second volume included an additional five novels from the 1950's. The Library of America has the commendable goal of presenting the best and most representative American writing in its various forms, including fiction, poetry, drama, philosophy, history, news reporting, travel and more, in uniform editions. The LOA's publication of these two extensive collections showed an understanding that this once critically rejected form of genre writing has made important contributions to American literature. I became interested in noir about four years ago and have enjoyed exploring the genre. It is difficult to pin down what "noir" means, and the six novels in this collection show that the style cannot be reduced to a formula. Each of the novels in the book center upon murder, and most are recounted from the standpoint of the perpetuator. Although the writing varies by author, the style of each book is in the tough, short, colloquial style called "hardboiled." The Depression forms the backdrop of each book in this collection, but the settings otherwise vary widely. Three books are set predominantly in diverse areas of California (a wealthy suburb, a shabby country roadside restaurant, and a grimy section of Hollywood). One book is set in corporate New York City and in its bedroom suburbs, while another book is set in back roads and small towns of Oklahoma and Texas. The last of the books is set primarily in the world of the travelling carnival shows touring the South. Atmosphere and place are central in each of the books. The books differ from many of the sprawling novels written today in that they are short and focused. They generally include a limited rather than a seemingly endless group of characters. In developing the crime and the characters, each novel includes a controlled range of themes. There is much to be gained from this narrowing and developing of scope compared to many long and wandering recent books I have read. The main character in each book tends to be a lonely, alienated outsider. The individual books explore themes such as guilt, greed, evil, loyalty, self-identity, discontentment, expoitation, and attempts at redemption. Each of the books in this collection has a serious, thoughful underpinning. Each of the books included here has been made into film, frequently more than once. The books range from the familiar to the obscure. James Cain's "The Postman Always Rings Twice", which opens the collection, is the best-known work which has come to be deservedly recognized as a literary classic. The book tells the story of a wild 24 year old drifter, Frank Chambers, who falls in love with Cora and plots with her to kill her husband. The writing is vivid and descriptive, full of power, force, and raw sexuality. It is stunning short work, almost impossible to put down. Horace McCoy's "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" has become well known in large part from the late 1960s movie starring Jane Fonda. This short book is set in a Depression-era dance marathon in Hollywood. This book is easily the darkest and most pessimistic work in this collection, and rivals any other work in American literature that I know in its unrelieved grimmness. The remaining four books are less well-known. Kenneth Fearing was a poet who wrote of the Depression. His novel "The Big Clock" is set in corporate New York City and develops the tension between working for an organization doing a job one dislikes and pursuing one's goals and dreams. Edward Anderson's "Thieves Like Us" is set among robbers and escaped convicts in Oklahoma. It includes a love story I found effective together with a portrayal of the nature of loyalty, well placed and misplaced. William Gresham's "Nightmare Alley" is a story of the tawdry life of the American carny, and of the rise and fall of an unscrupulous carny magician and fraudster. The final book, Cornell Woolrich's "I Married a Dead Man" is a dark work about the nature of personal identity, living a lie, and the consequences of guilt. From its beginning in pulp magazines and stories, noir became a form of writing that at its best evolved into literature. Readers who enjoy noir or who want to explore the breadth of American literature will enjoy this collection. For readers wanting more detailed discussion of each of the six books in the volume, I am attaching links to individual editions. The Postman Always Rings Twice They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (Serpent's Tail Classics) Thieves Like Us The Big Clock (New York Review Books Classics) Nightmare Alley (New York Review Books) I Married a Dead Man (The Best Mysteries of All Time) Robin Friedman

Buy the book. It's a great addition to your library. This must be in your collection. The Red Fur Room [...] A novel based on a true story. A coming of age experience of a naive young man named Sali Hand from a small southern town built on textile mills. With his boyhood friend they unwittingly visit an isolated coastal city, fallen to decay, for a town ritual. Hidden under a canopy of old oak trees drapped in spanish moss the beauty of this old place immediately arrests Sali's imagination and wonderous curiosity, and his heart is intoxicated with his first love. Incidentally Sali will not return home, and consequently his friend's destiny will leave him in pieces to be found hidden throughout the grand park that is home to the blight after dark. With certainty a plague will soon seep in from the trees and began slowly distilling the life from Sali's new found friends casting him into a dark nightmare he may not escape. With the rising hot air the spanish moss sweeps gracefully in slow rhythm over the arms that have embraced a culture for hundreds of years. It will now set the town on fire with fear. Due out this fall 2013

A lot of good fiction in one cover. As noted, you've probably seen most of these on the big screen or replayed on TV. My advice? Be like Philip Marlowe and always keep a nice bottle of rye in your trench coat pocket. You'll get invited back more often.

The LOA volumes are special. They open flat, and have thin but durable paper, readable type and built-in bookmark. Included are writer bios, manuscript histories, and a glossary of archaic slang and topical references. These stories will be familiar to movie buffs; all have been filmed once and some more. I knew all, but that did not lessen the reading experience. Generally, the tales humanize immoral souls. I especially enjoyed the trickery of "The Big Clock," and though it started well, I found "Nightmare Alley" a bit of a slog. Other reviewers provide in-depth coverage of each title (some TOO detailed, in my opinion) so I won't repeat. This is a special treat for fans of the genre and worth the price.

This collection of novels from the 30s and 40s was terrific fun and an outstanding introduction to the genre. You can debate whether they're all noir (at least what I expected noir to be); but nonetheless they each convey a distinct impression and view of the time. Without getting into lengthy reviews, I enjoyed Woolrich's "I Married a Dead Man" the most--from his eloquent style to the actual story-line. You know you're reading a master story-teller. Second was Gresham's "Nightmare Alley;" although sometimes I thought he could have expanded on some aspects of the story and shortened other passages (i.e., a little bit of editing would help). But each novel was distinct and enjoyable. Highly recommended.

If you're into noir then this book will take you into the heart of darkness with stories that still read fresh and probe the long night of some very tortured souls.

A sampling of noir novels, of varying interest to me personally but of overall high quality. I skipped 'Nightmare Alley' having just recently seen the current film; my favorites were The Big Clock (which started out dull but became enthralling) and the emotive I Married A Dead Man. Other readers will have different favorites, and overall, worth checking out.

First of all, the Library Of America collection provides the reader with some of the most beautiful hardcover editions available today. That said, the selections chosesn for this edition are all first class; for someone just getting into hard-boiled fiction, this is the ideal place to start. If you're like me and have been reading this genre for many years, this is a perfect volume to add to one's collection.

Excellent selection of rare almost forgotten classics. Not to be missed.

What a great collection of superb novels. Suspense at its best! Written in pointed, sparse language each narrative is not just a crime story but also an articulated portrait of society. American Noir of the 1930s and 40s Vol 1 is a treasure chest for crime aficionados.

Superb Library of America edition, of course.