Crime Novels: American Noir of the 1950s

Take note: at a minimum, you'll see noir writers/authors in a new light. The world of noir literature is a fascinating one, filled with dark themes, complex characters, and gritty storylines. By exploring these works, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the genre and the minds of the writers who created it.

And, you just might find some new favorite American writers, as have I, with the companion volume entitled "American Noir of the 1930s and 40s". This volume offers a unique perspective on the American noir scene during a particular era, showcasing the works of some of the most talented writers of the time.

Best news of all: both volumes are probably sitting on shelves at your nearest library. So, there's no need to spend a fortune on buying new books. Simply head to your local library, check out these volumes, and embark on a journey into the world of noir literature. You might be surprised at what you discover.

041212: Anthology of Roman Noir from the 50s

This anthology presents a selection of five novels that have received the literary criticism approval for hardback republication by the Library of America. It is a companion to another anthology that covers the 30s and 40s. Critically speaking, there isn't much to say except that to fully appreciate these novels, one needs to recalibrate what they value in literature. These works are generally accessible and independent of prestige literature. However, through their plots, characters, and themes, they perhaps have more staying power.

It is doubtful that these novels will ever be considered canonical works. Here, we have works that people want to read, not books they have to read like Joyce. They are popular fiction, democratic fiction, which were denigrated in their time and only published in the pulps.

I enjoy being able to talk with non-literary friends about these works. For example, the psychopathic narrator in "Killer Inside", the psychopath central character in "Talented", the lost losers in "Pick-up", the lost talented artist in "Down There", and the darkly comic vision of Harlem in "Real Cool". This is a great selection throughout.

Noir In The Library Of America -- 1950s

The Library of America series aims to capture the diverse American writing and experience. To this end, it has published several volumes of noir novels. In 1997, two volumes of collections were released. The first volume included six noir novels from the 1930s and 1940s, while the second volume, which is the focus of this review, contains five novels from the 1950s. Scholar and noir writer Robert Polito selected the books and provided author biographies. The writers led fascinating lives and could have been characters in their own novels. These two volumes are great for readers interested in exploring the best of noir literature.

Noir has its roots in cheap pulp and detective magazines. Many of these novels were first published in paperback with eye-catching covers and were not expected to have lasting appeal. By the time the novels in this collection were published, the genre had a significant history and risked becoming formulaic. However, the novels in this collection have unique characters. The six novels in the first LOA volume were set in different places during the Depression, a suitable period for dark crime novels. The five novels in this volume are set in the 1950s, after two major wars. The 1950s were very different from the Depression era, and these novels capture the atmosphere of their time.

Jim Thompson's "The Killer inside Me" is one of the best in this collection. Set in a west Texas town, it explores the mind of a psychopathic killer. Patricia Highsmith's "The Talented Mr. Ripley" is set in post-WW II Italy and shows the influence of Henry James. Charles Willeford's "Pick-up" is an early work set in San Francisco, with themes of love, loneliness, and race. David Goodis' "Down There" became a movie and captures the atmosphere of a cold Philadelphia winter. Chester Himes' "The Real Cool Killers" is a who-done-it set in Harlem, with African American detectives and a street gang.

Each of these novels has its own noir atmosphere and involves crime, but they also have their own individuality. They are fast-paced, tense, and show a good understanding of place and character. They deserve their place in the Library of America series, which is dedicated to the American experience and literature. I was glad to have the opportunity to read these books in this volume and the companion volume.

Robin Friedman

This is one of those truly massive omnibus-type novels. Just imagine if it were dropped on a body part or on someone else's, it would likely cause serious and real damage. Each and every novel within it offers a gripping and haunting experience.

In "The Killer Inside Me" by Jim Thompson, we encounter a deputy sheriff who seems respectable on the outside but is actually a creature of internal horror. Before the novel concludes, the deputy's girlfriend meets her demise along with others. In Patricia Highsmith's "The Talented Mr. Ripley," a young American fast-talking con artist commits murder and manages to get away with it. In "Pickup," former art teacher Harry Jordan brings home a girl he meets in the late-night cafe where he is working, and his troubles multiply based on that fateful decision. This novel ends with a fascinating racial twist.

My only issue with this book is that it completely shattered for me the myth that the 1950s were some kind of sweet and innocent time. When you think of the 1950s, what comes to mind? Perhaps a young President Eisenhower praying vocally at his inauguration? Or the pleasant tones of June Cleaver reassuring the Beaver in the midst of some innocent juvenile angst? Well, there is nothing of that sweet innocence in these novels written during that very decade. There is a higher dose of profanity in this collection than one might expect from works published in the 1950s. The sexual descriptions aren't as explicit as what you might envision from a 21st-century writer, but it's not exactly like "Robert Young and Father Knows Best" either. Think of Ritchie Cunningham from "Happy Days" gone wild, and you'll get a rough approximation. I found myself skipping paragraphs here and there. One of Highsmith's characters is rather blatantly homophobic, and that may have been a prevailing attitude of her time. But if that kind of character bothers or offends you in any way, you might want to consider simply dropping this one rather than reading it or perhaps just leaving it unopened.

That being said, I must admit that these novels truly haunted and fascinated me. I listened to an audio version of this book, and the narrator did an outstanding job. If you also choose to listen to the audio version, be prepared to spend more than 31 hours on it if you can't speed up your audio player in any way.

The bottom line is this: If you enjoy mysteries, most of which have been made into movies, and especially if dark mysteries appeal to you, this book might be exactly what you're looking for, especially if the length doesn't intimidate you. Just be prepared to come away with a much darker and seamier view of the 1950s than you might have had going into it. The upside is that all of these authors are highly talented, and if you enjoy reading books that are carefully crafted with writing styles that keep you turning the pages, this one could very well work for you. Just be aware that the network editors who ensured that Lucy and Ricky slept in separate beds are nowhere to be found in this collection of novels. If you know that going in, you may very well find the writing styles and the plots of these books interesting enough to keep you engaged all the way to the back cover.

Thieves Like Us was indeed a very good story.

It had elements that kept the audience engaged and interested throughout.

The plot was filled with twists and turns that made it a captivating read or watch.

Similarly, The Postman Always Rings Twice was also a significant box office hit.

Its popularity can be attributed to its gripping narrative and memorable characters.

The story had a certain allure that attracted a wide range of viewers.

Likewise, They Shoot Horses, Don't They? was another successful film at the box office.

It dealt with complex themes and had a powerful impact on the audience.

The movie's unique storyline and excellent performances contributed to its success.

Overall, these three works had their own merits and were able to capture the attention and hearts of the viewers.

It's quite a challenge to pen a review for this collection.

After all, it's essentially five distinct books brought together in one anthology.

However, I must state that every single one of these books was captivating.

In fact, if they hadn't been included in this compilation, I likely would have overlooked them.

All of them are truly worth exploring if you have a penchant for old crime novels.

I, in particular, derived great enjoyment from and was pleasantly surprised by "Pick-Up".

This book contains a plethora of elements that the French existentialists were fond of in American noirs during this era.

It has that unique charm and atmosphere that makes it stand out among the others in the collection.

The storylines in each of the five books are engaging and keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Whether you're a die-hard fan of crime fiction or just looking for something different to read, this anthology is definitely worth your time.

I only had the opportunity to read the first story in this book, which is titled "The Killer Inside Me" and was written by Jim Thompson. This was for my book club, and unfortunately, I could only locate it in the library in this particular compilation version.

It's quite interesting how fate led me to this specific copy. The story itself seems to have a certain allure that drew me in from the very beginning. As I delved into the pages, I was immediately captivated by Thompson's writing style. His vivid descriptions and ability to create a sense of tension and mystery kept me on the edge of my seat.

Although I haven't finished the entire book yet, this first story has definitely piqued my interest and made me eager to explore the other tales within. I'm curious to see what other literary gems this compilation holds and how they will compare to "The Killer Inside Me". I'm looking forward to sharing my thoughts and insights with my book club members during our next meeting.

For class, I only read the Chester Himes story.

It is a story that is quite well written. The author has a great command of language and is able to create vivid characters and a captivating plot.

However, it is also a violent story. There are scenes of physical aggression and bloodshed that may be disturbing to some readers.

Despite the violence, the story does have its merits. It explores themes such as race, class, and power in a thought-provoking way.

Overall, while the Chester Himes story is not for the faint of heart, it is a worthwhile read for those who are interested in exploring complex themes through literature.