Reviews with content warning for Racism - The Postman Always Rings Twice

Reviews tagging 'Racism'

The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain

13 reviews

heatherinjapan's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

Inspired by a ridiculous murder that occurred in the late 1920s- I think that's why this story is so ridiculous, Cain tried to match their stupidity. Compared to the other book he wrote also inspired by this, this one is probably more close to how stupid the actual murderers were but man... it was kind of insane! Also the racism YIKES

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ricksilva's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A drifter in Southern California gets a job at a roadside diner, and immediately sets his sights on the owner’s wife. Their love affair soon turns into a plot to murder the husband, and everything spirals out of control from there.

This starts a bit slow, but once it gets going, it never lets up, with great plot twists all the way to the end. The characters are not especially appealing, but everyone being awful is part of the point of the story.

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hellsjerome's review

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adventurous dark fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Everyone in this book is a piece of shit

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adelita18's review against another edition

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challenging dark tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

There is only one redeeming point about this racism laden story of infidelity, abuse, and murder is that "karma" comes back with a vengeance for Cora and Frank. The narration by Stanley Tucci was hard to follow at times because he did not do much to change inflection/tone/character voice and Cain did not always indicate the speaker.

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planet_taffy's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

A perfectly satisfactory book with some fun plot points, though the heavy handed anti-Greek and anti-Mexican sentiments almost ruined it for me; Cora placing so much importance on being seen as White was off-putting.

Rather than a mystery, it's more of a romance. It's also an older story, so the wording can be a bit confusing at times; other than getting quite lost

during Katz's post-trial monologue

it was followable.

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wickgood's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I went into this book having some idea that it was about an affair that led to someone's death, but that was it. This book feels made to be a movie (and indeed, it became one). The action is quick, not a single character in this book is likable and they aren't intended to be. Cain said he wrote as he felt the characters would and this is told from the point-of-view of Frank, a drifter who happens into a restaurant in Southern California and ends up with a job.

From the blatant racism to plotting to commit murder, even when they know they shouldn't, Frank and Cora's action moves at a breakneck speed from their unlikely first interaction to Frank's final plea and hope, however true it is, for Cora's understanding that he never meant for things to end up as they had.

I would highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys cinematic reads, but know that it's clearly a product of the 1930s.

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e_r_q's review against another edition

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dark fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

The Postman Always Rings Twice is famous for being "scandalous". However its famed violence is laughably juvenile, and its "iconic" eroticism is clunky and awkward. Even worse, the writing is bland, the characters are poorly written and dislikeable, and in the end, the actual plot feels really inconsequential. Also, the crude objectification of its female characters makes it evidently clear that this novella was written by a man.

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gillian_aftanas's review against another edition

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challenging dark sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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jolyon_l's review against another edition

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fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

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cepbreed's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Wow. I know now why they hail Cain as one of the authors of the early 1900s that was so ahead of his time. This book reads like it was written yesterday, the action, the mystery, the eroticism all satisfy my 21st century brain which is something I didn’t think I’d ever find in a book nearing its 90th anniversary. This book is unapologetic it’s it’s graphic depictions of violence and sex, and the two as twisted sisters. I now want them to readapt this into film again. The book reads like a movie, as my professor put it there are 3 shots Cain sets up that keeps you engaged just like you would be if you were watching the action unfold in front of you. This book is perverted, but in a good way!

Songs:

Off to the Races - Lana Del Rey
Ultraviolence - Lana Del Rey

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