The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain (1934). A slim, sharp volume, but wow -- this is pure noir, in the film noir sense. With not even the pretense of a mystery, it's all bad choices and the tangled web they quickly weave. With blunt, workingman's language and no foolin' around pacing, it's a slick toboggan ride to hell.
Posted by M.Ace at 03:00 PM, July 02, 2005.