Reviews tagging 'Infidelity'

Poştaşul sună întotdeauna de două ori by Alexandrina Novaru, James M. Cain

6 reviews

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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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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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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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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lorees_reading_nook's review against another edition

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dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Crime is not generally a genre that I read frequently but this book has something of a cult status and was banned in some places when it was first published so I couldn't pass it by. It is easy to understand why the heady mixture of sex and violence caused a sensation in 1934 but, by today's standards, both are very mild and definitely far from shocking.

I am having a very hard time reviewing The Postman Always Rings Twice. It's main characters, Frank and Cora, are despicable and unlikable, which they have to be, and only Nick Papadakis gives the story someone we can identify with. I found the American slang a bit hard to follow sometimes (but that's probably just me as I am not very familiar with it), the plot was quite predictable and the dialogue a bit corny in places. The ending is not exactly unexpected but completely satisfying in that justice is served in a convoluted sort of way.

I am glad that I read this book which ventured into topics that were considered taboo at the time it was written but I cannot say that I enjoyed very much.
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areadingstan's review against another edition

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dark mysterious 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

1.0

Easiest 1 star I’ve ever given to be honest. I had this book on my shelf because it was on one of my university modules (though I’d never read it properly). From the start it was just offensive in many ways, clearly a product of its time, but I found myself really uncomfortable when reading it. It was also really unrealistic for a crime novel, though I guess it didn’t have a cliched ending. If you like classic crime and the ‘femme fatale’ character you might enjoy it. 
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