I FOUND SOMETHING YOU SHOULD READ!

The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain.  Really!

Now here is a book you can really sink your teeth into.  And I’m not just saying that because when I picked up my copy I saw it had only 110 pages.  Wahoo!  It doesn’t need any more than that to tell the story it tells and you certainly can’t say that for many of these other books we have read.  It is sleek, it is taut, it is a really good book!   

You may be familiar with the movie versions – there was one back in 1946 and then they tried it again in 1981 with Jack Nicholson and Jessica Lange.  I saw the earlier version and it made no impression on me.  Considering the year of that version I can’t imagine they really did justice to the book which was “banned in Boston for its explosive mixture of violence and eroticism” but is pretty tame by today’s standards.  So if you are looking for a cheap thrill this isn’t the book for you.  But if you are looking for a good story with elements of morality, suspense, and karma you might want to give this one a try.

I don’t want to spoil too much of the story if you are not familiar with it, suffice it to say it is about a drifter, Frank Chambers, who happens into a diner/gas station run by a husband and wife, Nick and Cora Papadakis, who need a hired hand.  Cora and Frank begin an affair and then try to figure out how to be together.  Frank’s preference would be to just take off but that is not what Cora has in mind and together they plot to be rid of Nick. 

I’d also like to mention that the book has got nothing to do with the mail. The title has often been the subject of debate and is open to interpretation.  It probably refers to, back in the day, if the postman had something important (COD package, registered mail, etc.) to deliver and did not catch you home on his first delivery attempt (when he rang once) he would often try again doubling back on his route as a matter of course (where he would hope to get you on the second ring).  So don’t worry, Frank (and Cora) get theirs.  But finding out how is the most fun.

Next week......Oh who knows!  We are down to our last few books!  Ernie is working on "Midnight's Children" by Salman Rushdie.  I need to start "Under the Net" by Iris Murdoch. Then all we have left is "A Separate Peace" and "Atlas Shrugged."  Who will finish what when?  It's a good question!