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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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, and Murder
ricksilva's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident and Murder
Moderate: Racism
hellsjerome's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual violence
Minor: Pregnancy
adelita18's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Murder
planet_taffy's review against another edition
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 lostduring Katz's post-trial monologue it was followable.
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
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism
wickgood's review against another edition
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.
I would highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys cinematic reads, but know that it's clearly a product of the 1930s.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Infidelity, Racism, Sexism, and Sexual violence
e_r_q's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Car accident, and Murder
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
gillian_aftanas's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Blood, Car accident, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Death of parent
jolyon_l's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Xenophobia
cepbreed's review against another edition
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:
Songs:
- Off to the Races - Lana Del Rey
- Ultraviolence - Lana Del Rey
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Miscarriage, Medical content, and Alcohol
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, and Gun violence