Mario wrote about GREEN ICE: The personal element makes this
a noir novel, as different from the Hammett style as it was
possible to be then (and still be a Black Masker).
To me, Green Ice is a masterpiece of hardboiled noir.
I think that the similarities between Hammett and Whitfield
are mostly superficial. Very different writers.
*************** I went back thru the FALCON and I see what
you mean about Hammett being different from Whitfield.
However, I question the personal element as being the
significant factor in your decision to give GREEN ICE the
noir tag and exclude Hammett's MALTESE FALCON. Well now, that
sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? If it's your decision you are
obviously gonna base it on your thinking.
But here's what I'm saying... When you speak of Whitfield's
personal element, I assume that you mean "personal" as
opposed to what everybody has kindly pointed out to me:
Hammett's direct way of writing which gives a straight
description based on observable actions, with no internal
monologues or thinking revealed. But it seems to me that
Hammett's impersonal style could be adequately applied to a
noir piece. The real noir element that is missing is the
carefully nurtured environment of sweat, fear, and
desperation.
Anybody buying this? I got some beautiful oceanfront property
right east of Miami for sale at a great price. ;-)
********* On another topic: I ordered several back issues of
Crime Time, including the one with Woody's article on
Anderson. I'm excited about getting them. It looks like a
really nice magazine, catering to the hardboiled and noir
crowd.
miker
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