Noir Fiction: Dark Highways (Pocket Essential series) Paperback by Paul Duncan (Oldcastle Books)

Noir Fiction is immaculately written, well laid out, and packed with more information than would seem possible in just 96 pages. A superb definition of the term noir leads to a discussion of Charles Willeford's concept of the Immobilised Man. An exploration of the writers who lit the noir way then leaves the rest of the book free to detail the primary exponents of the genre. Some we know well (Cain, Woolrich, Thompson, Goodis, Willeford). Others, maybe, are less familiar names (Wolfson, Butler, Kersh, Karp). Paul Duncan's enthusiasm is apparent and infectious throughout. Anyone interested in noir fiction must buy this book. It is, as the series claims, essential.Pocket Essentials is a dynamic series of books that are concise, lively, and easy to read. Packed with facts as well as expert opinions, each book has all the key information you need to know about such popular topics as film, television, cult fiction, history, and more. The literary style of noir both influenced and was influenced by its cinematic equivalent, film noir. Both document the adventures of hard-boiled detectives and double-crossing dames, and often feature a backdrop of corruption and ambiguity and twisted storylines that leave the characters confused and adrift. As well as the quintessential noir authors James M. Cain and James Ellroy, you can read about such lesser known British innovators as Gerald Kersh and Derek Raymond, both of whom have written landmark novels in the development of noir fiction. As well as having an introductory overview, 9 of the most significant authors in the history of noir fiction are profiled in depth. Additionally, there's a handy reference section for readers who want to know more.