Customer Reviews

Cropper's Cabin

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I just finished this book and wanted to disagree with some of the poor comments here about it. This is the 6th Thompson book I've read, and while it is far less action-packed, this is a more meditative and literary book than usual, in which Thompson allows himself to get a little poetic and tender--if you're into him, it's nice to see him show this side. The book is about a 19yo boy who gets involved in trouble, and at times seems ready to ruin himself just for spite and for his pride... I found it more emotionally moving than other Thompson books, and while I've read Thompson's most famous works, I believe this one will remain one of my favorites.

CROPPER'S CABIN concerns Tom Carver, the adopted son of a poor sharecropper in Oklahoma. Tom gets involved with the wealthy daughter of a neighboring American Indian. When the father ends up dead, Tom becomes the prime suspect. How will Tom get himself out of this predicament? The book has it's share of twists and turns, some of which are not entirely believable.

I'm a huge fan of the writings of Jim Thompson. CROPPER'S CABIN is clearly not one of his best offerings; Thompson's novels fall into several strata. If you've never read one of his books, start with one of his acknowledged crime noir masterpieces, such as THE GRIFTERS, THE GETAWAY, or POP. 1280. This novel is more for completists, although it has it's own kicky appeal.

I love Jim Thompson's novels and have read twenty-one of the twenty-nine he wrote. Cropper's Cabin is definitely not his best, but it's also far from his worst. It's three-and-a-half stars worth of good and delivers the usual crime, lust, brutality and backwoods humor the author was known for. Don't know why some folks give it a bad rap; I wish I hadn't listened to the naysayers and put off reading it for years.

The only caveat is I don't recommend starting with Cropper's Cabin if you're new to Thompson. However, there's no reason why you should stay away from it once you get a taste for the author's style.

Jim Thompson is essential crime fiction reading. He was not a guaranteed classic writer but his books all have their highlights.

In this book, we have the poor boy who is secreting seeing the rich girl. His family is dysfunctional and the father hates the father of the girl. There are inter-racial conflicts and financial difficulties in the book.

All in all, creating a hotbed of possible crime.

Thompson set the stage for a really good book and managed to create a great deal of fear throughout it but did not seem to be able to complete the book in the manner that he started it and the end of the book is a letdown.

Not his best book, maybe not his worst. Readable as long as you know that he has written classic novels.

Cropper's Cabin suggests "Cut Rate Caldwell" And "Fire Sale Faulkner," writes Robert Polito in his Thompson bio Savage Art. Unfortunately he is right.... I found Cropper's Cabin derivative and generally misconcieved-- cardboard cutout characters and cliches. At any rate, I still enjoyed the book but I would definitely describe myself as a Thompson fanatic, and even his worst stuff is still fun and readable. If you are familiar with Thompson, you know that his work is pretty much hit or miss. Cropper's Cabin....well-- its a miss. too bad