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Loading... New Orleans Noir 2: The Classicsby Julie Smith (Editor)
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers. Apart from the notion, as the anthology title would have you believe, that these stories are “classics” (they’re not; they’re simply reprints), “noir” (there are very few of your typical hard-boiled, cynical, noir-ish characters to be found), and related to New Orleans in some way (some of the writerly connections are tenuous at best, and several of the stories offer only the barest trace of a New Orleans setting), this is an enjoyable collection of mostly good and even a couple of great stories. My favorite by a long stretch is James Lee Burke’s masterful “Jesus Out to Sea.” One of the reasons I like reading anthologies is the satisfaction of finding an interesting writer I was previously unfamiliar with; I will definitely be seeking out more of Burke’s work. Other stories I was impressed by: Nevada Barr’s “GDMFSOB,” Maurice Carlos Ruffin’s “Pie Man,” and Tennessee Williams’s notorious, if something short of classic, “Desire and the Black Masseur.” ( )This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers. This is the second collection by this editor and includes stories from Eudora Welty, Tennessee Williams, and Kate Chopin. In chronological order, these stories all have a dark side, just like the city itself. Some, written or set in times of racism, reflect those sentiments. I thoroughly enjoyed this collection and, having spent time in the city, its character shines through. I'm not a huge fan of noir, but short stories are easier to handle. This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers. This is the second of the Akashic Noir books I've received, and was very excited to dive into a fascinating locale. I appreciate the chronological organization, which gives the whole book a rather linear overarching feel despite the variety of stories contained therein. Like Beirut Noir, the term "noir" is used liberally and seems to generally refer to a rather sinister tale-usually with an ambiguous or grim conclusion. Short story collections are usually my favorite because there will always be at least one story that captivates me-and if it doesn't, at least it's over quickly. However, I was pleasantly surprised with New Orleans Noir-I enjoyed almost every single tale. These stories may not be the first thing modern readers imagine when "noir" comes up, but they are all enjoyable short stories and an intriguing introduction to several new-to-me authors! This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers. While I wouldn't categorize many of these stories as noir, at least not in a contemporary sense, they are all above-average to great stories. Editor Julie Smith has included a range of stories from 1843 to now. There was only one story out of the eighteen that I had a hard time getting through (I won't mention which one). Many of the stories are going to have me search out some of the other authors, which is the best an anthology can hope for. Standouts include: Ace Atkins, Poppy Z Brite, Ellen Gilchrist, Tom Dent, and John William Corrington. no reviews | add a review
Fiction.
Mystery.
Short Stories.
HTML:"Explores the dark corners of our city . . . set both pre- and post-Katrina . . . harrowing reading, to be sure, but it's pure page-turning pleasure, too." —The Times-Picayune Residents of the Big Easy are proud of its unique history and character. Resourceful and resilient, they are survivors—of natural disasters, as well as everyday tragedies. For off the beaten path, where tourists never travel, is a city that revels in scandal, sin, and seduction. New Orleans Noir includes stories by Ace Atkins, Laura Lippman, Patty Friedmann, Barbara Hambly, Tim McLoughlin, Olympia Vernon, David Fulmer, Jervey Tervalon, James Nolan, Kalamu ya Salaam, Maureen Tan, Thomas Adcock, Jeri Cain Rossi, Christine Wiltz, Greg Herren, Julie Smith, Eric Overmyer, and Ted O'Brien. "A vivid series of impressions of the city in moments that brought out either the best or worst in people . . . a thrilling read and a harbinger of what should be an interesting stream of works." —Gambit Weekly "When you've waded through these anguished pages, you can begin to understand why—as corrupt as it is, as broken as it is—so many of New Orleans's refugees still long to go home." —Mystery Scene "Excellent . . . Appropriately, Smith divides the book into pre- and post-Katrina sections, and many of the more powerful tales describe the disaster's hellish aftermath." —Publishers Weekly. No library descriptions found. |
LibraryThing Early Reviewers AlumJulie Smith's book New Orleans Noir: The Classics was available from LibraryThing Early Reviewers. Current DiscussionsNone
Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)813.087208054Literature American literature in English American fiction in English By type Genre fiction Adventure fiction Mystery fiction CollectionsLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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