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In a Lonely Place
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JUNE 2020: In a Lonely Place by Dorothy B. Hughes
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Samantha wrote: "Our summer 2020 read is In a Lonely Place by Dorothy B. Hughes. This 1947 novel was adapted to the screen in 1950 starring Humphrey Bogart and Gloria Grahame.
Dix Steele is a cynical veteran who ..."
I have read the book and seen the film, but many years ago when I watched everything Bogart. I will re-read and re-watch!
Dix Steele is a cynical veteran who ..."
I have read the book and seen the film, but many years ago when I watched everything Bogart. I will re-read and re-watch!
I second that--they are very, very different. It had been such a long time since I read the novel and saw the film that I had forgotten the details, but in short, you can't just read the book and say you did not need to see the movie--and vice versa. The 1950 film is available now on TCM Watch.
It is clear in the early chapters that our narrator is keeping a secret.What is Dix trying to hide?
If you have read ahead and know the answer, please use the spoiler tags to hide anyone who might not be that far into their reading.
If you have read ahead and know the answer, please use the spoiler tags to hide anyone who might not be that far into their reading.
I am flummoxed by the amount of drinking people seemed to do in this era. And they're not mild drinks; they're drinking highballs before getting in a car to drive to dinner.

For me this was a quick and entertaining read. It easily fits into the noir style in that this is post-war, Dix and Brub are former soldiers who saw a lot overseas. Dix is established pretty early on as a bad guy, although the author lets us flirt with the idea that maybe he isn't so bad, then lets us in on the truth. Laurel is poised as a sexy femme fatale, dangerous and Dix knows it, but irresistible. The book was tremendously more satisfying for me because it was so much grimier, but still stylishly executed and intense. The movie was clearly sanitized to get past the censors and I think it lost a lot in that process.
Were you shocked by anything in this book?
How did you feel about Laurel when she was first introduced? Did that change by the end of the book?
(view spoiler)
Were you shocked by anything in this book?
How did you feel about Laurel when she was first introduced? Did that change by the end of the book?
(view spoiler)
Samantha wrote: "For me this was a quick and entertaining read. It easily fits into the noir style in that this is post-war, Dix and Brub are former soldiers who saw a lot overseas. Dix is established pretty early ..."
I guess the book was pretty shocking for its time, but I really preferred the film. I thought the character of Dix was more three-dimensional and his connections in the film industry made him much more interesting. Both were very worthwhile. Thank you!
I guess the book was pretty shocking for its time, but I really preferred the film. I thought the character of Dix was more three-dimensional and his connections in the film industry made him much more interesting. Both were very worthwhile. Thank you!
Dix Steele is a cynical veteran who is seduced by Laurel Gray, a femme fatale. This hard-boiled story was the perfect source for a classic noir film.
TCM will be showing this film June 19th, so set your DVRs. We will be discussing the film together in conjunction with the book.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Have you read this book or watched this movie before? What was your reaction?
How do you think the book/film will differ from each other?