Hi Annick-
Greetings from middle America (Indiana)! I'd like to suggest
a few authors you might like to check out: Jim Thompson,
David Goodis, Charles Willeford, and a current writer, James
Ellroy. These guys are all dark and hard-boiled and their
stories take place in the era you're looking for (with the
exception of Willeford who wrote up into the 80s). I'll also
throw Charles Williams out as a suggestion; his earlier stuff
is his best, I feel, and his stories are more noir-ish than
hard-boiled. One other that I like to mention whenever I can
is
"Branded Woman" by Wade Miller. Written in 1952 it features a
female protagonist who is a toughie and can hold her own;
it's also quite dark and I classify it as roman noir.
And I second the advice of reading whatever Al suggests. He's
spot on with his recommendations!
Amy peace
--- In
rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com, "nakedcitydame"
<calliope67@...> wrote:
>
> Hello everyone,
>
> Very excited to be a part of this group. I have long
been a fan of
> FILM Noir, but just recently started actually
READING it. When I tell
> you I'm a librarian you may think that declaration a
bit odd. My
> equal passions are films and books, I toggle back
and forth between
> them. I consider myself a femme fatale at heart, but
a librarian by
> day, just to keep myself out of trouble.
> I am a fan of the Chandler, Cain school of noir
writing and I really
> enjoy when I can find a modern writer that captures
this style. I
> think I may have found one in Megan Abbott. I have
read some of the
> postings about her on this board and I am glad you
regard her as
> highly as I do. I particularly like the "voice" that
she gives her
> characters. Her command of the noir language is dead
on. I read Die a
> Little first, just finished The Song is You. Die..
really impressed
> me, The Song... just blew me away. Can't wait unitl
Queenpin is
> released, I've already pre-ordered it on
Amazon.com!
> I would really appreciate some reading suggestions
for authors I
> should read next, if I like Megan Abbott's stories.
I prefer stories
> that are set in the noir era, late '40s and '50s,
that really capture
> that "voice" that is reminiscent of the writing
style from that
> period in time. If I had to make a choice, The Song
is You comes
> closer to my preferred storyline. Gil Hopkins
reminds me of a Phillip
> Marlowe type, disillusioned but not yet ready to
give up, still
> searching for the truth.
> I look forward to reading this groups opinions and
analyses and hope
> I can contribute something that will be worth
reading as well.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Annick
>
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