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Three Famous Novels
Cain X 3, by James M. Cain

James M. Cain was born in 1892 in Annapolis Maryland and graduated from Washington College at age 18. He worked as a teacher of mathematics and English, then as a reporter and editorial writer at Baltimore newspapers and the `New York World'. He wrote 18 novels and screenplays (1931-1948). The three novels in this book were adapted to movies that are still classics. The books have more details than the condensed and simplified movies. These stories tell how people strive for wealth and happiness but come to grief or worse through illegal methods used to obtain their goals. These are ordinary people who get involved with wealthier people. The `Introduction' by Tom Wolfe says Cain's novels were "fast-paced" and "hard-boiled" and were notorious in the 1930s due to their "sex and violence". Tom Wolfe claims Cain flopped as a screenwriter before he became a novelist, yet these novels were written in the 1930s when Cain was working as a screenwriter, an employee of a movie studio.

"The Postman Always Rings Twice" is the story of a drifter who finds himself at a roadside sandwich joint. Frank bums a meal and is offered a job as an automobile mechanic. The help won't stay there long. Then he sees the owner's wife and takes the job. The story has details that dates it, and the attitudes of the people of that era. Was it based on a real-life crime story? Was this an accident waiting to happen? Telling the story from the viewpoint of Frank Chambers wasn't that original.

"Double Indemnity" is the story of an insurance salesman who meets the wife of a customer. Things develop when the husband is away on an engineering job. Walter Huff does not avoid temptation and trouble, even though he should know better because of insurance statistics. Later he learns some shocking surprise about Phyllis. The best laid plans of mice and men still go awry because of unforseen details. Like some other stories of this era the female is more deadlier than the male. [Was this based on the Snyder-Gray murder?]

"Mildred Pierce" is longer than his earlier novels and more daring in its story details. It tells the story of a divorced woman whose hard work is rewarded with financial success. But a fatal flaw in picking the wrong friends leads to personal troubles, and a loss of her business and the person who meant the most to her. Mildred's grief came from her daughters: one died, the other didn't. The novel is a warning against being taken in by the life of the rich and famous when it affects your family and work. As part of the story, it tells about what is involved in starting a small business. No corporate franchises in those days!
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Product Description
Mildred Pierce had gorgeous legs, a way with a skillet, and a bone-deep core of toughness. She used those attributes to survive a divorce and poverty and to claw her way out of the lower middle class. But Mildred also had two weaknesses: a yen for shiftless men, and an unreasoning devotion to a monstrous daughter.Out of these elements, Cain creates a novel of acute social observation and devastating emotional violence, with a heroine whose ambitions and sufferings are never less than recognizable. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

You've seen the movie; now read the book
If you're a fan of the film "Mildred Pierce," you'll be surprised by thebook. No one gets murdered, and with few exceptions only the names of the characters haven't been changed. The plot unfolds in an entirely different fashion.

It is a good read and would make a good movie true to the book's plot. If some would-be movie writer or producer is reading this, get the book, read it, and make the real "Mildred Pierce." She's just as fascinating as the movie Mildred. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent thrillers
I read both stories in one weekend because I had a hard time putting the book down. I really enjoy reading these classic thrillers.The stories are not dated and are very entertaining to read. I wish they still wrote books like Double Indemnity. ... Read more