The first two-thirds of this novel confirmed why Jake Hinkson is one of my favorite writers, so I was sad when the energy dissipated in the last thirdThe first two-thirds of this novel confirmed why Jake Hinkson is one of my favorite writers, so I was sad when the energy dissipated in the last third. One could argue that it was a thematic dissipation, but even so, that doesn't make for a great denouement and ending. I could be way off base here, but I have a sneaking suspicion that this was Hinkson's first novel, and that maybe he couldn't find a publisher until the success of his other books. Wouldn't be the first time. There are a lot of parallels with his non-fiction noir writing and that is another reason to suspect that this is early work. I mean, it is just hard to imagine that the writer of Hell on Church Street and The Posthumous Man and Saint Homicide and The Big Ugly would follow those books up with this one. Could be wrong, but I think this one came first....more
After reading this collection of essays and reviews it's easy to see why Hinkson's noir fiction is so good. Very readable and he covers a lot of less After reading this collection of essays and reviews it's easy to see why Hinkson's noir fiction is so good. Very readable and he covers a lot of less frequently explored noir themes....more
What I enjoyed most about this short novella is that it went to completely unexpected places. At the start the narrator seems to relish that his felloWhat I enjoyed most about this short novella is that it went to completely unexpected places. At the start the narrator seems to relish that his fellow prisoners have named him Saint Homicide (echoing Sarte's biography of Jean Genet: Saint Genet: Actor and Martyr) because he revels in his guilt while they profess their innocence, so when he starts telling his story an expectation is created that some gruesome murders are to follow. Perhaps they do, but where this story goes first is a trip through the inner hell of a deeply religious man confronted with his own weakness and some choice encounters with some who've lost their faith. And just when you think he might be losing his faith, he doubles down and earns that name....more
Love his novels, but these stories didn't excite me much. Well written, just not the powerful voice found in the novels. I liked six of the 14 storiesLove his novels, but these stories didn't excite me much. Well written, just not the powerful voice found in the novels. I liked six of the 14 stories, so 2.5 stars. Not sure the chronology of when these were written or first published but I liked the last four stories best, could feel the growing power of his writing in those. He has a knack for endings....more
Another great noir from Jake Hinkson. This time the protagonist is Ellie Bennett, and we pick up her story as she's released from prison. The rub is sAnother great noir from Jake Hinkson. This time the protagonist is Ellie Bennett, and we pick up her story as she's released from prison. The rub is she's a former corrections officer who's served 13-months for assault at the same prison where she worked. Shortly after release her probation officer arranges a job interview of sorts and down the noir rabbit hole she goes. I think Hinkson has a winner of a protagonist with Ellie Bennett and the book has the feel of the start of a series, which I would welcome. The style in this one is a bit different than Hell on Church Street and The Posthumous Man, both of which featured end of the rope male protagonists, whereas, Ellie Bennett is trying to start over. She is also on a search, so there is a bit of detective work in this one, and that gives The Big Ugly a less chaotic flow than the others. The chaos is here, just more controlled....more
Ok, noir fans, I'm pounding the table. Read this book! Best ending of any book I've ever read. And the ride to get there? Don't want to spoil it by saOk, noir fans, I'm pounding the table. Read this book! Best ending of any book I've ever read. And the ride to get there? Don't want to spoil it by saying too much because the way it shifts after the beginning is a big part of the pleasure and you need to experience it as you read. Immediately re-read this after I finished it. Absolutely love this book. Dark, powerful, and transgressive. Warning, though, it is sure to offend religious conservatives. But to quote Mr. Kurtz: "The horror! The horror!" It's in us all, it's in this world, and it is in this book!...more
Another great noir novel from Jake Hinkson. Ex-preacher Elliott Stilling succeeds in killing himself only to be revived in the ER. He sneaks out of thAnother great noir novel from Jake Hinkson. Ex-preacher Elliott Stilling succeeds in killing himself only to be revived in the ER. He sneaks out of the hospital, gets picked up by one of the ER nurses at a drugstore parking lot, and then in a mis-guided attempt to help her finds himself involved in a heist of a few million dollars worth of Oxycodone. Over the course of a day and a night the heist goes down and Stilling's descent into hell begins. Don't want to give a way any storyline details, but there are a couple of amazing scenes that are among the best noir scenes I've read. At one point bodies must be disposed of and they have to get naked to do it. And then there is a journey through a landfill at night. These scenes are just crushing, both literally and figuratively. What also drives this novel are the answers to the questions every one keeps asking Stilling about his past that he refuses to answer. Hinkson strings that mystery along until the end, where the answers have the most force. This is crime-noir at it's best. Lean, mean, and existential. Everything is a mess, but redemption is still possible, isn't it? Hinkson sends Stilling on that journey to find out....more
Loading...
