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heatherinjapan's review
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
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
bekkysaurus_rex's review against another edition
dark
reflective
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
1.25
When I picked up this book, I read the blurb and the review stating it was "Explosively Violent" and "Shocking for its time", and8 was so excited to read it. That excitement was short lived.
This classic centres around Frank, a drifter, and morally grey character, who comes upon a gas station and falls(Lusts for is a more fitting word) for the wife of the station owner. A twisted love affair ensues and leads the characters to plotting the murder of the station owner.
By the end of this, thankfully short, book, I saw what the author was trying to do and the message they were trying to send, but it was not executed well. It was also hard to look over the misogynistic narrative and racist comments made in the book. I also struggle to understand how this book was "explosive" and "erotic and violent" even for the time it was released. That's what disappointed me the most. The most violent scene in this book was when the main character hit a character over the head with a glass bottle. My description is basically how it was described in the book, there was no graphic violence at all, very underwhelming. Honestly, the toxic sexual relationship that tip toed on the lines of domestic abuse was the only "shocking" or uncomfortable part of this book.
Hence, due to the "explosive" disappointment that this book was, I was just glad that it was as short as it was.
This classic centres around Frank, a drifter, and morally grey character, who comes upon a gas station and falls(Lusts for is a more fitting word) for the wife of the station owner. A twisted love affair ensues and leads the characters to plotting the murder of the station owner.
By the end of this, thankfully short, book, I saw what the author was trying to do and the message they were trying to send, but it was not executed well. It was also hard to look over the misogynistic narrative and racist comments made in the book. I also struggle to understand how this book was "explosive" and "erotic and violent" even for the time it was released. That's what disappointed me the most. The most violent scene in this book was when the main character hit a character over the head with a glass bottle. My description is basically how it was described in the book, there was no graphic violence at all, very underwhelming. Honestly, the toxic sexual relationship that tip toed on the lines of domestic abuse was the only "shocking" or uncomfortable part of this book.
Hence, due to the "explosive" disappointment that this book was, I was just glad that it was as short as it was.
Content Warnings
Minor: Toxic relationship and Violence
emily_koopmann's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Racial slurs
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
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
meowrilena's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Violence and Blood
noonjinx's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A quick read but a great one. It was written nearly a century ago but rattles along like a modern thriller. The dialogue is terrific and the prose is wonderfully bare and straightforward. It’s a noir tale of sex, murder, betrayal, love, redemption, tragedy and justice. The main characters are thoroughly weak and immoral but I ended up rooting for them. They come tantalisingly close to a happy ending before it is torn away from them.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence, Xenophobia, and Murder
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
greeneyed_ives's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Violence, Car accident, and Murder
Minor: Racial slurs