Double Indemnity - Feb 2018

[Kaycie]

Here is the thread for February 2018's Crime read, Double Indemnity.

Who is going to be reading this month?

[Darren]

I nominated it, so me!
probably start in a few days time...

[Bryan--The Bee’s Knees]

Me too, though I'm behind--just started The French Lieutenant's Woman yesterday

[Leslie]

I won't be rereading this but I will say that I loved it!

[Darren]

I read this in two sittings yesterday (finished during Superbowl!)
herewith my review:
Who knew insurance could be so exciting!? (although obviously it's the money involved that's the driver for the criminal shenanigans). Tautly paced, cleverly plotted, rivets the attention, lust, greed, double/triple-crossing, suspense, shocks and surprises - it's got everything! Characterisation understandably takes a back seat and towards the end got a bit overstretched in terms of plot/credibility, so just falls short of 5 star.

[Claire]

I just read it and liked it a lot. Very interesting plot and complications all around. It is a typical detective noir, with all the positive and less positive characterestics of the genre. But a nice read overall.

[Bron]

I loved this book! I love crime books from this era so I am sure that helps. I thought the plot was fantastic and I would very happily read more by Cain.

[Bryan--The Bee’s Knees]

Just started this--I haven't read any noir-ish books for a while; this is really fun

[Christopher]

I found a copy in the library, and was (a little) surprised how short it is.-- barely more than 100 pp.

So, I will re-read it soon. I have seen the movie more recently than I've read the book. I will be curious to note what's in the movie but not in the book.

[Bryan--The Bee’s Knees]

I finished this last night--really enjoyed it.

[Leslie]

Christopher wrote: "I found a copy in the library, and was (a little) surprised how short it is.-- barely more than 100 pp.

So, I will re-read it soon. I have seen the movie more recently than I've read the book. I w..."

The movie is great too! I don't really recall what was different between them - maybe the Edward G. Robinson character is more prominent in the film.

[Christopher]

I just finished this book. It really is a quick read.

There are a lot of plot wrinkles in the book that the movie simplifies.

(view spoiler)[ In the movie, Huff arranges to visit the house late at night and kill Phyllis, not realizing that she plans to kill him too.
He stumbles to the office and dictates the confession on a dictaphone. Keyes comes in and hears the end of the confession. Huff says he's running away. Keyes says "You won't even make the elevator," which is what happens (this is a great scene).

In the book the plot to kill Phyllis is much more complicated. It involves throwing a car off a cliff, but being able to run down a horse trail faster than a car on the winding road.

Keyes arranges for Huff to leave on a boat for South America, not telling him he has put Phyllis on the same boat. They agree (in a hard-boiled manner) to a suicide pact. The last line implies that Huff has associated with Hecate or Kali- a goddess of death.
(hide spoiler)]

Although I do like the movie, I think it is because of Edward G., and not Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck. Nor do I think Raymond Chandler did much to 'improve' on James M. Cain, although, again, the last scene and the last line, "Closer than that, Walter.." "I love you too." is pretty boss.

[Leslie]

Thanks for refreshing my memory Christopher!

[[deleted user]]

Darren wrote: "I read this in two sittings yesterday (finished during Superbowl!)
herewith my review:
Who knew insurance could be so exciting!? (although obviously it's the money involved that's the driver for th..."

Just finished reading this last night. I do agree with your comment, Darren, that characterisation takes a back seat - very understandably. For this reason, I only gave it 3 stars (hope that's not too controversial!). I really enjoyed the book, though, & imagine that to read this in the 1930s, it would be so fresh & exciting!

Hoping to watch the film sometime soon.