A review by chazaloo
Mildred Pierce by James M. Cain

5.0

I've read the book, seen the movie (starring Joan Crawford) and the mini-series (starring Kate Winslet), all excellent. All the audiobooks I wanted to read were on a waiting list through my library, so I thought I'd listen to this. It's wonderful to revisit the story and Cain's writing. Cain, one of my favorite authors, is so under-appreciated, perhaps because he largely wrote genre fiction (noir-ish murder stories, etc.). This is a straight novel, and in it, as in all his work, his understanding of human nature and psychology is so deep yet matter of fact, compelling, yet stripped of sentiment. His writing, too, is so clear and un-busy, so terse and to the point. "Yes, let's get stinko."