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A review by aaronj21
The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain
4.0
Very interesting both as an historical artifact and as a damn compelling novel.
This books it so very a product of its time, everyone talks like an old school gangster, (See here’s the plan kid, I got it all figured, we’re going to knock over Mr. Papadakis, scram with his dough and then we’ll be sitting pretty, see?) and there’s oddly pervasive, 1930’s racism directed at Greeks and Italians that’s so ubiquitous it might as well be in the water.
Yes, all the characters, Nick Papadakis excepted, are morally rotten but more importantly they’re a lot of fun to read about. Frank, our main character, and Cora his romantic interest / partner in crime, can’t seem to go five minutes without making the worst decisions you’ve ever seen in your life. All the while the now outdated word choices threaten to make the novel unintentionally hilarious, at one point after the trial when they’re facing the death penalty, Frank says “We’ve been flim-flamed, Cora.”
The Postman Always Rings Twice is also a shockingly tight and well-crafted story. It hits the ground running and barely lets up. Approaching as a skeptic, I was fully hooked after only a few pages and I stayed hooked until the very end. Despite its brief length this spare novel packs the punch of a much longer work. There’s real artistry too, not just shocks and twists. Cora and Frank’s relationship is fascinatingly messy and deeply interesting. The murders being startled by the echo of their victim’s voice as it reverberates off the California coast an instant after they kill him is solid gold storytelling, it’s the kind of crowning touch that impresses you deeply and makes you a bit sick with jealousy that you hadn’t thought of it.
I don’t know if I’ll read anymore of James M. Cain, but I’m sure glad I read this book.
P.S.
I cannot BELIEVE he got this published in 1934, the maniac! There are 21st century levels of violence and sexuality in this book.
This books it so very a product of its time, everyone talks like an old school gangster, (See here’s the plan kid, I got it all figured, we’re going to knock over Mr. Papadakis, scram with his dough and then we’ll be sitting pretty, see?) and there’s oddly pervasive, 1930’s racism directed at Greeks and Italians that’s so ubiquitous it might as well be in the water.
Yes, all the characters, Nick Papadakis excepted, are morally rotten but more importantly they’re a lot of fun to read about. Frank, our main character, and Cora his romantic interest / partner in crime, can’t seem to go five minutes without making the worst decisions you’ve ever seen in your life. All the while the now outdated word choices threaten to make the novel unintentionally hilarious, at one point after the trial when they’re facing the death penalty, Frank says “We’ve been flim-flamed, Cora.”
The Postman Always Rings Twice is also a shockingly tight and well-crafted story. It hits the ground running and barely lets up. Approaching as a skeptic, I was fully hooked after only a few pages and I stayed hooked until the very end. Despite its brief length this spare novel packs the punch of a much longer work. There’s real artistry too, not just shocks and twists. Cora and Frank’s relationship is fascinatingly messy and deeply interesting. The murders being startled by the echo of their victim’s voice as it reverberates off the California coast an instant after they kill him is solid gold storytelling, it’s the kind of crowning touch that impresses you deeply and makes you a bit sick with jealousy that you hadn’t thought of it.
I don’t know if I’ll read anymore of James M. Cain, but I’m sure glad I read this book.
P.S.
I cannot BELIEVE he got this published in 1934, the maniac! There are 21st century levels of violence and sexuality in this book.