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  has anyone read anything by James M Cain?

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  I found a story on a news site about his last book being published at long last. The Cocktail Waitress sounds interesting and I wondered if anyone has read any of Cain's books.

  Tamster started this discussion 8 months ago. ( reply | permalink )

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  Jackson Burnett 

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  Hi Tamster! I've read The Postman Always Rings Twice, Mildred Pierce, Double Indemnity, Three of a Kind, Butterfly, Sinful Woman, and Serenade. If I remember correctly, he has a collection of short stories called something like Baby in the Ice Box. I've read some of that book but not all. If you haven't read any of his writing, start with The Postman Always Rings Twice. My favorite is Serenade. It was certainly radical for its day (and I suppose among some now.). Serenade is a more complex book with more complex characters, I think. Tammy, if you have read some of his books which are your favorites? Are you going to read The Cocktail Waitress?

  Jackson Burnett
  Author of The Past Never Ends, a legal mystery

  posted 8 months ago. ( permalink )

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  Tamster 

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  I haven't read any of his works. I stumbled across the Cocktail Waitress because I was reading about noir literature and films. I like the genre and was curious about this author's works. Thanks.

  posted 8 months ago. ( permalink )

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  Jackson Burnett 

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  A lot of folks start our reading Double Indemnity. It was made into a popular movie. The book is good but neither it now The Postman are very long. Double Indemnity is kind of Cain's blueprint for his hard-boiled noir. Cain is definitely worth reading. He's a great storyteller. His prose is sparse, to the point. He's not a great prose stylist, I don't think.

  posted 8 months ago. ( permalink )

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  William G. Davis 

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  I admire James M. Cain very much. I've read 'Postman', Double Indemnity, and Mildred Pierce and loved them all. I disagree with Jackson. I think one of Cain's major talents is keeping the prose sparse and to the point.

  Bill
  William G. Davis
  http://www.mikegagethrillers.com

  posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

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  Jackson Burnett 

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  The first line of The Postman Always Rings Twice is one of the best in popular fiction. If you're looking for writing, though, like Raymond Chandler's or James Lee Burke's, you won't find it in the Cain novels.

  posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

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