Friday, December 10, 2010
One of the best?
"Postman" is included in the Modern Library's 100 Best Novels list. It's No. 98. I'm always extremely dubious about these lists because taste in literature is so subjective, even among literary historians/experts. The silliness of such rankings aside, can you see a case for "Postman" being regarded as an exceptionally important work of fiction?
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That's tough. I liked it a lot, but 100 best -- not sure. I'd need to be better schooled in noir fiction (an appealing prospect, though) to better assess its heft. I assume its place in the genre is why it would be included.
ReplyDeleteBut it was a gem of a story. Simple and straightforward and riveting, but the feelings and characters so much more complex and even vulnerable than their actions would indicate.
KC, you said you might read "Double Indemnity" next. I might pick up "Mildred Pierce," because I always meant to see the film (Joan Crawford!) I think DI could be a lot like "Postman," though. Corrupt lovers, albeit going after the money in this scenario. Maybe I wouldn't read it because I already know how it ends. But if I can find it, I would like MP for comparison.
ReplyDeleteOoh, let me know if "Mildred Pierce" is good!
ReplyDeleteI just looked up some stuff about noir fiction, and all of it mentions Cain and "Postman." One thing on Wikipedia said he was working in the "hobo" tradition of noir (versus, say, the detective noir), which focuses on a drifter moving through the world, getting odd jobs, hitchhiking and committing crimes. "Of Mice and Men" is mentioned there too since it was written about the same time, during the Great Depression, when a lot of men were drifting around looking for some kind of foothold.
Cl, love your point about the characters being complex and vulnerable. I was touched by that, too, and I think maybe that's what pushes this book over the line from pulp into literature.
Unrelated, but I also saw some interesting distinctions noted between British and American crime fiction of that era. In Britain the detectives are cerebral and quirky and quaint and live in cozy cottages, and in America they're hard-boiled and drink heavily and talk in slang and get a lot of answers through, say, sticking a gun in someone's face. Good grief! Can you imagine Miss Marple using a gun on someone, or even bad grammar?!
I almost always find fault with those lists. I, too, get the impression this book's importance to the genre is what makes it special. I did enjoy it a lot, but I can't say I was awed by it.
ReplyDeleteInteresting note about American vs. British detectives, kc! Both types are pretty fun for fiction, though I probably prefer the British style.