Synopsis/blurb……
What this is and why I did it
I've long been a fan of noir literature in all its forms and most
recently of rural noir. Known by many names (e.g. redneck noir, country noir,
hillbilly noir), the genre is exciting and intriguing. This brief personal
essay – about 26 pages, or 6900 words – describes my journey as I tried to get
acquainted with some contemporary rural fiction writers who've been given the
noir label.
My essay is not comprehensive of the field. I certainly haven't met up
yet with all the writers working in this area. Please send me suggestions. However,
it does offer a quick and easy entry to some of the literature and many of the
issues surrounding the use and misuse of that label "redneck noir."
This version is an updated, revision. It includes consideration of
another six writers I hadn't read yet when I published the 1st edition.
If you're new to the subject it will offer you an entry point. If
you're already well read, you're probably aware of the writers I mention. But I
think this essay might help debunk the current marketing stupidity that says
"If you're country, you're noir."
The essay begins at its origins: my friendship with the late John
O'Brien, of West Virginia, author of At Home in the Heart of Appalachia (2001).
Another quick but enjoyable read.
If I’m not reading myself, I’m probably either looking for a book, thinking
about a book, or just as likely on the internet seeing what other people are
reading that I then might like myself. In that sense an essay about books and
authors that have been tagged redneck, hillbilly or country noir is just up my
street.
There’s an interesting chapter on
him re-establishing a friendship with a now sadly deceased author, John O’Brien. After which he gets down
to throwing around a few names, most of which I have on my shelves already –
more unread than read……….Daniel
Woodrell, Larry Brown, William Gay, Frank Bill, Donald Ray Pollock, Pinckney
Benedict, Bonnie Jo Campbell, Alan Heathcock.
I have acquired a few more names
to check out, more through courtesy of a list Gilmore prints forwarded to him
by a librarian friend. Gilmore, himself seems a bit dismissive of the list – to
me he’s a wee bit obsessive over labelling and pigeon-holing. Me, I’m a fan of
the “if you like A, maybe you’ll like B” recommendation thing. I’d rather have a
list of 20 books that I might like 3 from, than no list.
We all seek different things in
our reading and perhaps Gilmore’s reading tastes are a little bit more refined
than my own. Worth the price of the admission anyway.
Gilmore himself is a bookseller
and author and has published a couple of things including a novel Malcolm’s Wine which has a few decent
reviews of Amazon. Maybe I’ll try it one day.
Other names picked up – Breece D’J Pancake, Rick Gavin, Dayne Sherman and Scott Sparling…. I’m away now to check
them out.
4 from 5
Bought earlier this week from Amazon
(Cheers – MSJ!)
Col - Oh, that essay does sound interesting. I'm always keen to know what other authors are doing and how and why they do it. I don't of course write in that kind of noir myself, but it is fascinating to know what draws others to it.
ReplyDeleteMargot - agreed.
DeleteSounds interesting, I do love writing about books. And Daniel Woodrell's name stood out - I loved his The Maid's Version.
ReplyDeleteDid you get more Woodrell for the stacks before the shutters came down?
DeleteNo. The time will come... You know what, you should write something like this book, about your own noir-ish interests... that would make a good read. (You have at least as much to offer as many of the people who write about their reading.)
DeleteMoira thank you, you're too kind....maybe when I'm a bit better read!
DeleteCol, I like reading about anything, book or essay/article, that has to do with writers and their writing from a reader's perspective. I often go looking for stuff like this on Amazon but never find anything!
ReplyDeletePrashant, I only lucked on it myself because a Goodreads friend was reading it.
DeleteSounds very interesting. But it is $2.99 for 30 pages, so I will pass. I am interested in country noir, although not sure I will like reading it. Probably depends on the author, like everything else.
ReplyDeleteYes - I thought it was a wee bit steep when viewed against it's length, but then I thought about all the books and stuff I get that I haven't paid for - freebies etc and then rationalised that it was only £2 which is a cup of coffee from Costa when out and about so thought why not. I picked up a few new names and recommendations - as if I needed them - but mainly had confirmed back to me a load of authors I already had a knowledge of and books by.
Delete