Incorrigible author Jim Thompson retraces his wild swath across America during the great Depression and World War II. Whether he's getting drunk in a funeral home or drafting a manuscript with the help of a big-hearted prostitute, Thompson is a mesmerizing guide to hard times--his country's and his own.
Roughneck
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Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
Another of Thompson's autobiographical titles and supposedly true, fans know that half of this is inseparable from his crime writings. Whether fact or fiction, this 1954 title makes for fun reading. Also look for Thompson's novel The Golden Gizmo (ISBN 0-375-70032-3), now also available from Vintage.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
About the Author
(1906 - 1977) James Meyers Thompson was born in Anadarko, Oklahoma. He began writing fiction at a very young age, selling his first story to True Detective when he was only fourteen. Thompson eventually wrote twenty-nine novels, all but three of which were published as paperback originals. Thompson also wrote two screenplays (for the Stanley Kubrick films “The Killing” and “Paths of Glory”). An outstanding crime writer, the world of his fiction is rife with violence and corruption. In examining the underbelly of human experience and American society in particular, Thompson’s work at its best is both philosophical and experimental. Several of his novels have been filmed by American and French directors, resulting in classic noir including The Killer Inside Me (1952), After Dark My Sweet (1955), and The Grifters (1963).
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the most enjoyable Thompson reads available!,
This review is from: Roughneck (Paperback)
Roughneck pretty much takes up where Bad Boy left off. It was originally published in 1954. In Roughneck, as was the case with Bad Boy, we get a sort of creatively enhanced autobiography of the king of noir pulp. Follow Thompson through early adulthood, marriage, fatherhood(his description of his own children is hysterical), hobo jungles and more. He describes employment ventures that leave no doubt why he always had more ideas than time to write. He goes through stints as a collector, baker, morgue employee, writer of the labor history for the W.P.A., etc. You will love the story behind the writing and publishing of Thompson's first novel(Now & On Earth). The man was never short on audacity or irreverance. Roughneck is an absolute page-turner. Here's an added bonus for us Thompson fans...this book is absolutely coherent all the way through. There are no lunatic throw away chapters in Roughneck. If you enjoy the work of Jim Thompson, then you must read this book! As it states on the back of the book: Hard times have never sounded so good!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Even Thompson couldn't make this up,
By
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This review is from: Roughneck (Paperback)
Funny and exhausting. I think I slept a week after I read this. Thompson takes us across America in search of love, success and a few extra bucks.The underlying tale is how Jim tried to come to grips with his relationship with his father and himself. Luck always intervenes -- sometimes Good and sometimes Bad. As one of the kings of the character novels, Thompson does a great job on himself and his family and friends. This is a classic, sometimes funny, sometimes uplifting, sometimes sad but always real. It is also a great history of the America of the 1930s, 40s and 50s. -Mike
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
His Life In His Own Words,
By "lebubba" (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Roughneck (Paperback)
Thompson's life in his own words, what could be better? Of course, a lot of it is obviously apocryphal, but its a great ride.
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