Pulp Fiction discussion

We're probably all recuperating from the New Year bash, but I look forward to a re-read of this classic since I only read it once in the early 90's and in a Romanian translation. It will be also interesting I think to compare the two movie versions with the novel.
See you soon!

I just realized that we've read this one before - it was our very first group read back in December 2011. We've gotten a lot of new members since then, and hopefully, many will be reading Cain's classic for the first time.

I know I will. Though I am more curious about Double Indemnity, to be honest.

As for the movies: I once started the '46 one. I got bored so I quit (it's almost 2 hours). Maybe I'll try the Jack Nicholson one later. that any good?

Melki wrote: "I just realized that we've read this one before - it was our very first group read back in December 2011. We've gotten a lot of new members since then, and hopefully, many will be reading Cain's cl..."

I somehow missed it when I looked through the back log. Only noticed "Double Indemnity" which is still on my to-read list. Oh, well: I guess we can enlarge the discussion to talk about James M Cain in general.

As we've read it before, could we have another book to read as a group this month ( ie: The Cocktail Waitress which came second by one vote), for those of us that have already read The Postman Always Rings Twice ?

Since the theme was the author and not the book, I don't see why not. I still plan to re-read The Postman, but I am curious what you all think about The Cocktail Waitress.

Algernon wrote: "Since the theme was the author and not the book, I don't see why not. I still plan to re-read The Postman, but I am curious what you all think about The Cocktail Waitress."

That's fine with me. Do you want me to add the book cover to the homepage?

Ok! and we'll put "Double Trouble" with Stevie Ray Vaughn as soundtrack.

Algernon wrote: "Since the theme was the author and not the book, I don't see why not. I still plan to re-read The Postman, but I am curious what you all think about The Cocktail Waitress."

Okay, it's been added.

I checked, and The Cocktail Waitress is available for Kindle, plus there seem to be plenty of used copies floating around.

Read one, or read 'em both!

Stay warm, y'all!

Frank wrote: "As for the movies: I once started the '46 one. I got bored so I quit (it's almost 2 hours). Maybe I'll try the Jack Nicholson one later. that any good? "

I liked the original much better than the remake.

Algernon wrote: "We're probably all recuperating from the New Year bash, but I look forward to a re-read of this classic since I only read it once in the early 90's and in a Romanian translation. It will be also in..."

Neither film version (I thought the Mamet version a misfire) could touch the noir essential ending of the novel.

Ordered a copy and should be here by the 10th. First time read for me.

I believe this was my first read of a crime/noir variety. Really hooked me in. I'll try to do a reread of this one. I saw both films and thought the classic one was sooo much better than the Jack Nicholson one.

Finished it. Good quick read.

I was hoping to like it a little more still. For a long time I was hooked. It was bleak, sexy, violent, all the stuff I search for in pulp crime. But I think (view spoiler)[around halfway I just got lost in the overly complicated plot and/or lost my concentration. The stuff with the money, lawyer, Katz and all: to me it was badly constructed, boring and I plain didn't care (hide spoiler)] . The story never won me back again. Also (view spoiler)[the mexican girl, Kennedy, all the complicated backstabbing from different parties involved... (hide spoiler)] Why? Meh, nevermind haha.

It was good enough, I'm just a bit disappointed i guess...

Cain is an expert writer. He has a way of telling you a lot with few words. Although I couldn't get into the movie prior to reading the book, I gave it a second change and enjoyed it a lot.

I just finished the book. I've never read it before. I've never seen the film either. is there a good version you'd recommend?

somehow I missed it in the comments. I dislike Jack Nicholson so I guess the original is the way to go.

Nick and Cora, "a couple of Fords," are destroyed by their passion, due to lack of thinking about how to deal with it. They are obsessive and although they want love, they find themselves fearing each other, esp after the way the lawyers flimflammed them. Yet their very weakness opens them to an experience that would not be open to more cautious, less passionate people. Before they pass the ultimate test out in the ocean, there is the episode with the Jaguar Lady with whom Frank spends a week late in the novel. Too many cats. Is she a contrast to Cora that makes him long for Cora?

Mary Ellen wrote: "I just finished the book. I've never read it before. I've never seen the film either. is there a good version you'd recommend?"

Yeah, I thought the Nicholson one was horrible. Nearly turned it so many times. I like the classic 1946 so much better. Just my two cents.

Decided to read this one first (I'm reading both of them) - I enjoyed it, and it definitely pulled me in. There's such an overwhelming feeling of inevitability running through the story - I guess that's part of what pulls you as a reader through it.

Was interesting to move from the male narrator to female in 'Cocktail Waitress' - I preferred the latter, perhaps it was also the slightly more measured pace and style of the book.

Semi Spoiler Alerts: Read this one over the last two days. Enjoyed having read near to my read of Double Indemnity. Cain is just so stinking good at his craft. And though I liked D.I. a bit more, this one held up very nicely throughout. What got me was getting through 85% of the book and trying to predict what else interesting that these characters had to offer after the case. I was not disappointed. Finally, anyone else picture the highway patrol officer from the movie Psycho that stopped at the restaurant before the lights blew? Just my take.