annieb123's review against another edition
4.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
The Bride Wore Black is a seminal addition to the American mystery noir genre, and the first crime novel written by Cornell Woolrich. Originally published in 1940, this re-formatting and re-release as part of the American Mystery Classics series is due out 5th Jan 2021. It's 288 pages and will be available in hardcover format (other editions available in other formats).
The American Mystery Classics series has unerringly plucked important but potentially lesser known crime gems and presented them (with expert introductory content and commentary) to new generations of crime fiction readers. Although I had read much of Cornell Woolrich's oeuvre previously and was familiar with his work from the pulps (he was incredibly prolific), I had never read The Bride Wore Black.
The writing is top notch, tense and powerful. Other reviewers have done a much better job than I providing precis, so I'll just say that the entire book was an evocative and diverting read. My only disappointment with the book was with the ending which I felt was flawed and "gotcha" (and very pulp-ish in my opinion). It didn't ruin the book for me, but it did feel somewhat tacked together and outside the bounds of fair play.
That being said, however, the writing and plotting are classic early noir and very well done. I would recommend it for lovers of noir, American crime, as well as a support text for allied scholastic examination (modern American literature, etc). The erudite and informative introduction by Eddie Muller was a highlight for me. Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Bride Wore Black is a seminal addition to the American mystery noir genre, and the first crime novel written by Cornell Woolrich. Originally published in 1940, this re-formatting and re-release as part of the American Mystery Classics series is due out 5th Jan 2021. It's 288 pages and will be available in hardcover format (other editions available in other formats).
The American Mystery Classics series has unerringly plucked important but potentially lesser known crime gems and presented them (with expert introductory content and commentary) to new generations of crime fiction readers. Although I had read much of Cornell Woolrich's oeuvre previously and was familiar with his work from the pulps (he was incredibly prolific), I had never read The Bride Wore Black.
The writing is top notch, tense and powerful. Other reviewers have done a much better job than I providing precis, so I'll just say that the entire book was an evocative and diverting read. My only disappointment with the book was with the ending which I felt was flawed and "gotcha" (and very pulp-ish in my opinion). It didn't ruin the book for me, but it did feel somewhat tacked together and outside the bounds of fair play.
That being said, however, the writing and plotting are classic early noir and very well done. I would recommend it for lovers of noir, American crime, as well as a support text for allied scholastic examination (modern American literature, etc). The erudite and informative introduction by Eddie Muller was a highlight for me. Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
chrisljm's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Intriguing and unique plot. I don’t typically root for villains but Julie was an exception. She was fascinating and I couldn’t help but be interested in every move she made. It was also awesome that she’s a girl’s girl.
The ending was kind of disappointing though.
The ending was kind of disappointing though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, and Murder
Moderate: Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, and Sexism
Minor: Ableism, Blood, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
anti_formalist12's review against another edition
challenging
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? No
4.0
vivian_bookaholic's review against another edition
4.0
Truyện này chắc là cuốn sách đơn giản và nhanh nhất mình từng đọc (trừ đi những ngày mình bỏ không đụng). Vì tình tiết thực sự đơn giản, không lắt léo, đi thẳng vô vấn đề. Động cơ cũng đơn giản, giết người cũng nhanh gọn, không ám ảnh hay ghê rợn gì hết. Twist cuối thì kiểu cũng ok không ngả ngửa lắm. Nói chung cuốn này đọc để thư giãn đầu óc xả stress thì tuyệt chứ không hề nặng đô. Không đọng lại gì nhiều, 1 cuốn fun read!
Cho tròn 4 sao vì nhịp điệu tình tiết nhanh, đúng thì 3,5 thôi!
Cho tròn 4 sao vì nhịp điệu tình tiết nhanh, đúng thì 3,5 thôi!
sooky's review against another edition
3.0
An intriguing story for sure. While the identity of the killer is mostly a mystery for the detective, not us, there are plenty of questions we as a reader still want answers for. I must say some of the dialogue was silly, others outright made no sense whatsoever, but The Bride Wore Black was still a highly entertaining noir read.
gillian_aftanas's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Confinement, Stalking, Gun violence, Grief, Alcohol, and Death of parent
pizzamcpin3ppl3's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
4.5
ashleylm's review against another edition
3.0
Decent--at the time I would have given it 4 stars, I bet, but one has slipped away over time as I no longer very much remember it, whereas other boks that I may have underestimated have stayed with me, and gained an extra star at it's expense, so-to-speak. (There are still Agatha Christie and Sayers novels that I read 45 years ago and recall with love and a suprising amount of detail!)
This is noirish fiction--I'd just seen the Jessica Lange film version of The Postman Always Rings Twice, read the Cain novel, and was exploring similar works.
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
This is noirish fiction--I'd just seen the Jessica Lange film version of The Postman Always Rings Twice, read the Cain novel, and was exploring similar works.
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!