-
Overall Performance:




Narration Rating:




Story Rating:




" Absolutely Consuming. The first book in years that has Kept me awake until the very last page. "
- Andy, 2/16/2014
-
Overall Performance:




Narration Rating:




Story Rating:




" This was my first Jim Thompson book I have read and I wasnt disappointed. The dialogue is so brilliant and keeps you intrigued and what I liked is it is from another time and place in the 1950s. The words he uses to describe the characters and the story are like something out of a Bogart movie but the difference is you know everything the main protagonist is thinking and feeling all along giving this such realism, honesty, and depth. I was hooked right away into the story and didnt want to put this down. My father-in-law was a door to door salesman and I feel Thompson knew my father-in-law. The reader did a great job and his inflections were very realistic. I also liked how Thompson didint get into the details of the sex and the gore and just continued telling the story with the reader knowing exactly what happened. I see why his books are sought after and the PBO's (Paperback Originals) sell for high dollars. I plan on reading The Killer Inside Me and The Alcoholics for my next Thompson selections. A Hell of a Writer! "
- Tom, 2/15/2014
-
Overall Performance:




Narration Rating:




Story Rating:




" Very dragging didn't get very far and decided to read something else. "
- Stefanie, 2/2/2014
-
Overall Performance:




Narration Rating:




Story Rating:




" A classic with a crazed twist. I read this many years ago and loved it. A must read! "
- Dave, 1/28/2014
-
Overall Performance:




Narration Rating:




Story Rating:




" I enjoyed this story of a loser who is taking dumb risks allowingly under the heel of two women, his abusive wife and the alluring femme fatale. The signature writing in this book stands apart from that in the incredible "Pop.1280", which was my first Thompson novel, this is my second. In addition to the sharp straight story-telling continuity, he takes inspired formal liberties such as a torn personality inner dialouge towards the end, and a whole lot of chapters starting with the word - Well. I didn't find the conclusion where the protagonist falls into madness very compelling nor climactic, rather unrealistic, which some might call "surreal" to give it a more positive spin. Reagardless it's worthwhile reading. "
- Anders, 1/27/2014
-
Overall Performance:




Narration Rating:




Story Rating:




" The definition of Noir. "
- Neil, 1/23/2014
-
Overall Performance:




Narration Rating:




Story Rating:




" Another good book from Jim Thompson, that is if you like to read about murder. "
- Phillip, 1/16/2014
-
Overall Performance:




Narration Rating:




Story Rating:




" 3.5 instead of 3. Think Crime & Punishment crossed with Tomato Red w. more gender-hatred for both sexes. Wow. "
- Elizabeth, 1/2/2014
-
Overall Performance:




Narration Rating:




Story Rating:




" This is really the only book from Jim Thompson that I wouldn't really recommend. Yes, the kind of incest thing is weird, but it was more than that that put me off. I suppose the main character wasn't bad enough or slick enough. "
- Melissa, 12/2/2013
-
Overall Performance:




Narration Rating:




Story Rating:




" I had a difficult time with this Jim Thompson novel mainly because the protagonist is not a sympathetic character. "
- Matt, 11/30/2013
-
Overall Performance:




Narration Rating:




Story Rating:




" I liked every Jim Thompson book I ever read. Pop. 1280 was probably the favorite "
- Slim, 11/11/2013
-
Overall Performance:




Narration Rating:




Story Rating:




" Dostoevsky without hope. "
- Tomas, 10/14/2013
-
Overall Performance:




Narration Rating:




Story Rating:




" a great example of the strength of narrative voice- the sociopath narrator will keep you interested in the story. "
- Irmak, 7/24/2013
-
Overall Performance:




Narration Rating:




Story Rating:




" Its like watching Cops on television, you know what is going to happen, but you cannot stop looking, or in this case reading. Simple pleasure at its best. "
- Patrick, 6/27/2013
-
Overall Performance:




Narration Rating:




Story Rating:




" very good story, just don't read it if you are easily depressed. "
- Ryan, 2/28/2013
-
Overall Performance:




Narration Rating:




Story Rating:




" Apparently this gets compared to Crime and Punishment quite a bit. Which is funny, because this book is actually good. "
- Alfred, 5/27/2012
> Hide All