Almost everything you need to know in one essential guide.
The literary style of noir both influenced and was influenced by its cinematic equivalent, film noir. Both document the adventures of hard-boiled detectives and double-crossing dames, and often feature a backdrop of corruption and ambiguity and twisted storylines that leave the characters confused and adrift. But noir as a literary style predates the cinematic movement by at least a decade, and Noir Fiction charts its murky history, from 30s pulps to 90s bestsellers.
This survey of noir fiction is the first of its kind to cover both American and British figures. As well as the quintessential noir authors James M Cain and James Ellroy, you can read about such lesser known British innovators as Gerald Kersh and Derek Raymond, both of whom have written landmark novels in the development of noir fiction.
What's in this book? As well as an introductory overview, nine of the most significant authors in the history of noir fiction are profiled in depth. Not only that, but there's a handy reference section for readers who want to know more.
Packed with facts, opinionated and crammed with information, Pocket Essentials are the perfect companions to literature, film and pop culture.
