first book i've read by him and i can already tell this will be a long relationship. even if i didn't like the main character that much and it was frustrating watching him ruin his life it was still a really entertaining read. the book itself was short so it was a good read during the school year. the plot kinda lags in the middle and the one sex scene there is is virtually nonexistent but the ending makes up for it with an alright twist. he reminds me of james m cain lots of double crossing and paranoia and love triangles. spurred by the book i re-watched double indemnity based off of cain's novella and forgot how funny it actually was. here's a snippet of the script i found online that made me laugh.... NEFF Phyllis. I think I like that. PHYLLIS But you're not sure? NEFF I'd have to drive it around the block a couple of times. PHYLLIS (Standing up again) Mr. Neff, why don't you drop by tomorrow evening about eight-thirty. He'll be in then. NEFF Who? PHYLLIS My husband. You were anxious to talk to him weren't you? NEFF Sure, only I'm getting over it a little. If you know what I mean. PHYLLIS There's a speed limit in this state, Mr. Neff. Forty-five miles an hour. NEFF How fast was I going, officer? PHYLLIS I'd say about ninety. NEFF Suppose you get down off your motorcycle and give me a ticket. PHYLLIS Suppose I let you off with a warning this time. NEFF Suppose it doesn't take. PHYLLIS Suppose I have to whack you over the knuckles. NEFF Suppose I bust out crying and put my head on your shoulder. PHYLLIS Suppose you try putting it on my husband's shoulder.super goofy. that's kinda how all these types of hardboiled/detective/crime fiction stories go. they deal with sex and violence in the most irreverent way, i guess it was only a matter of time before i started moving from russian/ukranian/czech lit to this stuff which is almost satirical after all the serious stuff. Good, old fashioned, noir; as bleak as all get out until the bitter end. A great group of not particularly lovable losers attempt an ill fated kidnaping. Backbiting, paranoia and double crosses abound. It's everything you want and expect from Thompson in one slim volume...and yet...This is a good book, don't get me wrong. It's just not a *great* book. It is the weakest of the Thompson novels I have read thus far, although that isn't saying much considering that the other Thompson's I have read were utterly fantastic. Definitely worth reading but not his best.
What do You think about After Dark, My Sweet (1955)?
A chilling kidnapping tale, featuring dubious characters, and a less-then-sick mental patient.
—Babyeli
