I just finished Goodis's Of Tender Sin and it struck me that
it was almost a perfect Patricia Highsmith novel. Then,
interestingly enough, I read a Highsmith novel that reminded
me a lot of Goodis. The Highsmith novel, The Glass Cell
(1964), was just reprinted by Norton in June. Of Tender Sin
was reprinted by Serpent's Tail three years ago and it's been
sitting on my shelf that long.
The Glass Cell is about a guy sent to prison (falsely
accused) and accidently kills another prisoner in the midst
of a riot and is undetected. When he's released he finds he
then has murderous impulses.
This book, and the book that she followed it with, A
Suspension of Mercy is excellent. It was not long after
these, though, that her books became dull. I haven't yet
figured out exactly when. If I read them all I guess I'll
find out.
Jeff
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