This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of double indemnity by james m. The novel was successful and notorious upon publication. In 1936 a magazine bought another cain novella for serialization. Two of cains other novels, mildred pierce 1941 and double indemnity 1943, were also made into film noir classics. Search for library items search for lists search for. It is an integral and necessary element of the story.
The postman always rings twice is a 1934 crime novel by james m. Sep 22, 2015 when i heard fred macmurray say that line at the beginning of billy wilders classic film noir, double indemnity 1944, i didnt realise that it was one of the few instances in the film where quotes were taken directly from the pages of james m. Cain, virtuoso of the roman noir, gives us a tautly narrated and excruciatingly suspenseful story in double indemnity, an xray view of guilt, of duplicity, and of the kind of obsessive, loveless love that devastates everything it touches. Cain was awarded the grand master award by the mystery writers of america. Imdb page 1944 version imdb page 1973 tv version james m. This detailed literature summary also contains topics for discussion and a free quiz on double indemnity by james m. He is acknowledged as being one of the many creators when it comes to roman noir.
The double indemnity novel community note includes chapterbychapter summary and analysis, character list, theme. Robinson, and in 1973, a tv film directed by by jack smight and starring richard crenna and samantha eggar. First published in book form in the volume three of a kind 1943. Cain, including the postman always rings twice, and double indemnity, and more on. Double indemnity, published in 1934, is cain s second novel and is set in the young, booming city of hollywood. Tautly narrated and excruciatingly suspenseful, double indemnity gives us an. The novels mix of sexuality and violence was startling in its time and caused it to be banned in boston. The use of firstperson point of view in double indemnity, however, is not merely a matter of an authors individual preference. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The postman always rings twice, double indemnity, mildred. It was strange reading this book as it times it seemed like i was watching an old black and white movie. Cain, virtuoso of the roman noir, gives us a tautly narrated and excruciatingly suspenseful story in double indemnity. Cain a copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition.
The novels mix of sexuality and violence was startling in its. It is quite short especially if you ignore the padding in the foreword which serves no real purpose. It wasnt released in book form until 1943, partly because cain himself criticized it as tripe. Cain, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Aug 27, 2011 following up on his run away commercial success with the postman always rings twice, double indemnity was written as a serial for liberty magazine. First published in 1935, this novel reaffirmed james m. It was tried for obscenity in boston and was said by albert camus to have inspired his own book, the stranger. According to the encyclopedia of pulp fiction writers, double indemnity. Double indemnity is a 1934 detective novella by james m cain.
Cain, virtuoso of the roman noir, gives us a tautly narrated and excruciatingly suspenseful story in double indemnity, an xray view of guilt, of duplicity. It was first published in serial form in liberty magazine in. J ames m cain, the prolific and talented author of such landmark hardboiled novels as the postman always rings twice, double indemnity, mildred pierce and. James mallahan cain 1892 1977 was a firstrate writer of american hardboiled crime fiction. It is regarded as one of the more important crime novels of the 20th century. Cain was born on july 1, 1892 in annapolis, maryland. Study guide for double indemnity novel double indemnity novel study guide contains a biography of james m. First published in 1936, this novel reaffirmed james m. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 115 pages and is available in paperback format. The postman always rings twice, double indemnity, mildred pierce, and selected stories by james m cain, 9780375414381, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. The novel later served as the basis for the film of the same name in 1944, adapted for the screen by the novelist raymond chandler and directed by billy wilder. Cain is considered to be one of the founders of the hardboiled genre of detective fiction, which developed during the prohibition era in the united states 1920. Cain, including the postman always rings twice, and double indemnity, and more on thriftbooks.
The influence of james m cains novels on film noir film. His family was irish catholic and his parents were an opera singer and an educator. Cain published eighteen books in all and was working on his autobiography at the time of his death. Whereas postmans frank chambers just kind of falls into murder. Narrated by charlton heston full audio book duration. The book was a commercial and critical smash and has been made into films several times, including the john garfield and lana turner vehicle of the same name in 1946. Although cain has been accused of merely writing a rehash of postman, i found double indemnity to be a much darker tale. The main characters of this fiction, mystery story are. Walter huff was an insurance salesman with an unfailing instinct for clients who might be in trouble, and his instinct led him to phyllis nirdlinger. I drove out to glendale to put three new truck drivers on a brewery company bond, and then. Cain is considered to be one of the founders of the hardboiled. The first edition of the novel was published in 1936, and was written by james m.
Cain this study guide consists of approximately 51 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of double indemnity. When smalltime insurance salesman walter huff meets seductive phyllis nirdlinger, the wife of one of his wealthy clients, it takes him only minutes to determine. Mar 24, 2005 double indemnity by james m cain is a novella. James m cains hardboiled novels of greed, lust and murder made for perfect film noir.
Buy a cheap copy of double indemnity book by james m. Cain is considered to be one of the founders of the hardboiled genre of detective fiction, which developed during the prohibition era in the united states 19201933. Double indemnity, james mallahan cain double indemnity is a 1943 crime novel, written by american journalistturnednovelist james m. Cain, 9780752864273, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Apr 12, 2001 j ames m cain, the prolific and talented author of such landmark hardboiled novels as the postman always rings twice, double indemnity, mildred pierce and serenade, had nothing but contempt for. The main characters of double indemnity, walter huff and phyllis nordlinger, are much more evil than frank chambers and cora papadakis, the murdering adulterers of the postman always rings twice. Jul 22, 2003 two of cain s other novels, mildred pierce 1941 and double indemnity 1943, were also made into film noir classics. Cains double indemnity and the film adaptation by billy wilder and raymond chandler for the may noir book of the month club. Walter huff was an insurance salesman with an unfailing instinct for clients who might be in trouble, and his instinct led.
When i heard fred macmurray say that line at the beginning of billy wilders classic film noir, double indemnity 1944, i didnt realise that it was one of the few instances in the film where quotes were taken directly from the pages of james m. Apr 10, 2016 double indemnity audiobooks james m cain. Tautly narrated and excruciatingly suspenseful, double indemnity gives us an xray view of guilt, of duplicity, and of the kind of obsessive, loveless love that devastates everything it touches. Having served within the us military in world struggle 1, he turned a journalist in baltimore and new york within the 1920s. As a novelist, cain preferred the firstperson point of view in the telling of his stories. It doesnt have the heat of the postman always rings twice, but, except for superevil phyllis, is largely more believable. It was originally published as part of a set with two other stories, called three of a kind, in liberty magazine.
Cain was an american novelist as well as journalist. Buy double indemnity read a great movie by james m. It was first published in serial form in liberty magazine in 1936 and then was one of three long short tales in the collection three of a kind. The influence of james m cains novels on film noir film the.
I vaguely recall watching the movie of the same name. Double indemnity is a 1943 crime novel, written by american journalistturnednovelist james m. Other articles where double indemnity is discussed. Free download or read online double indemnity pdf epub book. See more ideas about double indemnity, pulp fiction and book cover art.