Lyn's Reviews > The Postman Always Rings Twice
The Postman Always Rings Twice
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Desensitized.
I think that’s why James M. Cain’s important 1934 crime novella is not more relevant today. After decades of infidelity and violence, the shocking events Cain describes are just not as disturbing now as they were in the 30s. When this came out there were charges of obscenity and the book was banned in some locations. These days, flip a few channels on TV and you’ll see worse. Hell, kids are playing games where there are more sexuality and violence.
But back in the day, this was edgy and original and dangerous. Cain’s minimalistic tale of deceit and clandestine brutality influenced scores of novels and media since. This has been adopted to film seven times. I saw the 1981 version starring Jack Nicholson and Jessica Lange and I thought it was mildly pornographic. From ‘81 til now even that description has been diluted.
Still a good story and worth the small investment in time (approximately 100 pages) to read some very early and influential noir.
I think that’s why James M. Cain’s important 1934 crime novella is not more relevant today. After decades of infidelity and violence, the shocking events Cain describes are just not as disturbing now as they were in the 30s. When this came out there were charges of obscenity and the book was banned in some locations. These days, flip a few channels on TV and you’ll see worse. Hell, kids are playing games where there are more sexuality and violence.
But back in the day, this was edgy and original and dangerous. Cain’s minimalistic tale of deceit and clandestine brutality influenced scores of novels and media since. This has been adopted to film seven times. I saw the 1981 version starring Jack Nicholson and Jessica Lange and I thought it was mildly pornographic. From ‘81 til now even that description has been diluted.
Still a good story and worth the small investment in time (approximately 100 pages) to read some very early and influential noir.
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Reading Progress
Finished Reading
February 2, 2016
– Shelved
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Alex
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May 02, 2016 03:03AM
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"Dain Curse" (Dashiell Hammett, 1929) have aged beautifully, "Postman" has not, cause when you take away the "shock" factor," there really isn't much. But oh, Cain knows it and keeps to only 48k words, which indeed would be classified as a novella.
My pleasure!